Let me paint a picture for you.

You are walking down the aisle. You finally made it to this moment. Your people are gathered. Your heart is full. And instead of seeing faces, you see phones. Arms stretched into the aisle. Screens glowing.

I see this all the time. And while I completely understand the excitement, I also know how powerful it is when everyone is fully present instead.

That is where an unplugged wedding comes in.

What an Unplugged Wedding Really Is

An unplugged wedding simply means asking your guests to put their phones away during the ceremony. Sometimes it is just for the vows. Sometimes it is for the whole ceremony. Sometimes couples extend it into the reception.

It is not about being anti technology. It is about choosing connection.

You Feel Everything More Deeply

When phones are put away, something shifts.

People listen more closely. They laugh more freely. They cry without trying to capture it. You get real reactions instead of people watching your wedding through a screen.

Your ceremony becomes something everyone experiences together instead of something they document.

Your Photos Are Better for It

This is the photographer part of me speaking, but also the human part.

When guests are present, faces are visible. Aisles are clear. Moments unfold naturally without someone stepping into the frame to get their own photo.

You hired professionals to capture this day thoughtfully and beautifully. Letting them do their job means your gallery reflects the emotion of the moment, not a wall of phones.

Your Guests Actually Enjoy Themselves More

This might surprise you, but most guests love being told they can put their phones away. No pressure to post. No pressure to capture the perfect shot. No distractions pulling them out of the moment. They get to relax, connect, and celebrate with you fully. And that energy shows up in every part of the day.

How to Ask Without Making It Awkward

You do not need to make a big announcement or turn it into a rule heavy moment.

A simple note on your website or invitation works beautifully. Something like “We invite you to be fully present with us during our ceremony.”

Your officiant can also gently remind guests before you walk down the aisle. Kind and clear is always enough. We have even seen some officiants let everyone take a pictures first and then start the ceremony with no more phones. This helps people really put the phone away and enjoy the ceremony since they got their picture.

Some couples choose to be unplugged only for the ceremony and open it back up for the reception. There is no right or wrong way to do this.

This Is About Presence, Not Perfection

At the end of the day, your wedding is not a performance. It is a real moment in your life.

An unplugged wedding gives you the gift of eye contact, emotion, and memory. It lets your people show up for you in the most meaningful way possible.

And years from now, when you look back at your photos, you will not just see how it looked. You will remember exactly how it felt.

If you have questions about how to make this work for your day, I am always happy to help you think it through.

Hugs!!