November 25, 2019
With cellphones an ever-present distraction and no sign of them slowing down, unplugged weddings are a 2019 wedding trend that might just become a mainstay. According to a survey of over 500 couples, 80% of them will be implementing this tech-free decree into their wedding day. Yep, looks like we are a world simultaneously obsessed with wedding hashtags and being distraction-free.
Well, for starters, just because something is popular doesn’t mean you have to do it. However, unplugged ceremonies tend to be quieter with more guests engaged in the moment, eyes locked up on you and your partner like they should be. It also eliminates the chance that your Aunt Peggy sticks her iPad in front of your photographer middle-aisle and ruins a few of those wedding photos you paid big bucks for.
Listen, I’m with you. My love language is quality time and is there anything worse than a friend on their phone through the entire movie?
If you want guests to be focused and present and ready to witness the biggest day of your life, it’s okay to limit their number one distraction — their cell phone. Sure, your trendy cousin Joey won’t get his shot of the first kiss, but that’s what your photographer is for.
Because, trust us, it will happen. Someone will get excited and hit send on that collection of 47 iPhone images from your wedding day and steal your (and your photographer’s) thunder when it comes time to share the real images. If that bugs you, then an unplugged wedding might be the way to go.
Remember that investment you made that WeddingWire estimates should cost 12% of your entire wedding budget? A little thing called photography? I will get the shot so help me God but with a plugged-in ceremony, there are still usually some phones in sight that I can’t edit out. If modern tech “ruins” photos for you, you probably want to consider going unplugged.
Sometimes especially for tight knit intimate weddings, going unplugged just seems unnecessary. If you feel like your guests know the ropes and won’t bombard you with technology, don’t feel pressured to make them pocket their phones.
Or maybe you really like the instant gratification of having all the guest images taken at your wedding on Instagram immediately. Those candid in-between moments are important, too, and no one can capture them quite like a guest can.
Wedding hashtags are honestly really difficult to come up with so if you worked hard on yours, and it is something you care about, definitely let people use it on social media — the sooner in the day the better. Make sure, no matter what, that even if it is plugged-in people know how to use their devices with respect to the vendors.
This is a trend that isn’t going away anytime soon, but that doesn’t mean that you have to warp your wedding wishes to fit the mold. Think about the things that are most valuable to you on your wedding day and follow your own vision. We are, after all, all there for you!