Sure you've heard it before. "Have an Unplugged Wedding!" You've seen it on Pinterest, you've seen it on the Knot, Wedding Wire, and your friends say it as well, but you want as many photos as you can get your hands on for your wedding day, and I don't blame you. But, you paid for our services to document your beautiful day. And this is where it gets interesting. Unplugged weddings are defined as having every one of your guests turning off their electronic devices for your wedding. You want to see the face of your guests when you are up on the altar, or holding hands with your now spouse, but the last thing you want to see is a device in front of their face.
The other problem that we're now facing is that we're missing key shots because of guests now inserting themselves into the shot that we're trying to take. Here you can see some of the examples of what I'm talking about:
A Guests flash going off during one of the more important times during a wedding...
It's cool, I'm not here taking any photos behind you...
Two friends singing during the wedding. I had a great shot lined up, and then was joined in the middle of the aisle with this nice gentleman..
Hey look! I was joined again by the above gentleman. Here while the Maid of Honor giving her speech. (Image purposely blurred to protect the innocent.. )
No big deal here..
Or here...
Beautiful family moment with Bride, Sister and Brother... and an arm..
Here comes the Bri...wait.. that's not her.
The bride wants to see your faces walking down the Aisle... Not your cameras..
True Story.. I had the shot lined up. Mom and two sons walking down the aisle were in sharp focus.. And then here's the iPad Photographer.
True Story #2, that's not my flash..
True Story #3, this lady in the middle of the aisle is not my assistant..
True Story #4, I can crop this. Still doesn't make it better though that there's an iPad in the middle of the Aisle..
True story #5. The bride actually saw her video from her cousin, and saw that everyone was in the middle of the aisle when her son came up to her husband before the wedding started. She was so distraught that she wasn't sure if anyone got this photo of her son and husband because everyone was in the middle of the Aisle. She was furious with her guests. I did let her know that I was able to get the shots.
The whole point of this post is to educate you on having your guests consider this for your wedding. I know it's 2014. Everyone has a camera, everyone has a phone. They're going to take the photos, but if you let them know before hand out of respect for you; the couple, then they may consider putting their devices away. You hired photographers for a reason, and we do not want to see you lose precious memories. I Promise, my images will be much higher quality than your aunt's iPad.
Be Nice. Disconnect. Let us do the job. :)