Why You Should Have an Unplugged Ceremony (And How to Make It Happen)

Picture this: You’re walking down the aisle, heart pounding, about to say “I do” to the love of your life. You glance around at your guests, expecting to see teary-eyed smiles… but instead, you’re met with a bunch of people staring at you through their phone cameras instead of just looking at you.

Now, fast forward to your wedding photos. Your photographer has captured your first kiss… but wait—there’s Uncle Bob leaning into the aisle with his phone blocking half the shot. Your grand exit? Aunt Susan’s arm (and giant iPad) is sticking out right in front of the lens. Trust me, I’ve seen it all.

Enter: The Unplugged Ceremony.

What Is an Unplugged Ceremony?

An unplugged ceremony means asking guests to put away their phones and cameras so they can be fully present in the moment—and so your professional photos aren’t filled with arms, screens, and unexpected guest photobombs.

Why It’s Important

• You want your guests to experience the moment, not document it. Their job is to soak in the magic, not play photographer.
• It keeps your professional photos clean and beautiful. No phones in the aisle, no screens glowing in the background, just pure, uninterrupted love.
• Your photographer can actually do their job! We’ve all been there—someone jumps into the aisle to snap a photo and completely blocks the perfect shot of your first kiss. Let’s avoid that, shall we?

How to Actually Make It Happen

1. Make It Clear – Announce it on your wedding website, include a note in your invitations, and have your officiant make a friendly but firm reminder before the ceremony begins.
2. Use Signage – A well-placed sign at the entrance of your ceremony is a great visual cue. Something simple like, “Welcome to our unplugged ceremony! Please put away your devices and be present with us.”
3. Have Your Officiant Reinforce It – A verbal reminder right before the processional helps! A lighthearted approach (“Let’s keep this moment intimate—our photographers have got it covered!”) can do wonders.

Trust me—when you look out at your guests and see faces instead of phones, you’ll be so glad you went unplugged. And when you get your wedding gallery back? You’ll have stunning, distraction-free photos to relive the magic forever. Let’s make sure your memories are filled with real emotions, not camera screens!!

^{Images Captured for Andrea Krout Photography}

See A KMP Wedding Here: Maddie & Jakob

See A KMP Engagement Here: Allyson & Kyle