Hive, let’s chat about something very near and dear to my heart. Social media. Or more specifically, Instagram and Twitter, as that’s all I really use. Keep that in mind moving forward…
Remember how I discussed the unplugged ceremony? I even used the classic that has made its way throughout the Weddingbee world. It’s that infamous photo where all you see are cameras and cell phones. Just seeing it makes me cringe:
Image via Offbeat Bride / Photo by Solare Wedding Photography
Let me start by referring to my previous post: To make it short, I had lots of concerns regarding people going to snap a photo and then staying on their phones. That hasn’t changed. I still have all of those concerns, and maybe even more so since I’ve decided to…gulp…encourage guests take photos.
Now, I want to take a giant step backward before everyone gets all up in arms here. By “encourage,” I mean there will be a designated wedding hashtag, and that I’m going to share that not only with our guests prior to the ceremony, but again at their dinner tables.
Photo by Taylor Lord / Edited by Miss Otter to just include hashtag sign 
So yes, I’ve switched sides; however, here is where I want to refer to Miss Lemur’s post on why she is having a plugged-in ceremony. (And yes, she references my original post—bee love! ) Her point about being the cell phone police is spot on, and especially resonated with me because, honestly, if someone is going to take a photo, I’d much rather they take a good one than take a crappy one because they’re trying to hide their phone.
Like Miss Lemur, I also want the casual photos that Stacy won’t have time to get because she’s focused on what we’re doing as the bride and groom. Our guests will capture things that we may not see, or they may get a photo of us doing something especially ridiculous, and I want to see it all!
And…in case you haven’t already learned as much, I’m very impatient. This whole less-than-50-days thing? It’s killing me! Talk about being so close yet so far at the same time. But I know myself, and I’m fully aware that we got such an amazing photographer that she’s going to be super busy throughout wedding season and definitely doesn’t need me emailing her all the time while waiting on our photos. 
Last but not least? Mrs. Mink said she totally regretted her unplugged ceremony, and while I’m still waiting to read that post, I have a feeling I may end up regretting mine as well when I don’t have any photos to look at!
So if you chose to have a “plugged in” ceremony, what was the outcome? Did you see lots of cell phones in your photos?
Gah, you make a good argument, with Mrs. Mink too. I’m still so TORN. :-\
I was planning on having an unplugged ceremony, and then forgot to make a sign or tell our officiant. So I guess it was plugged-in – but to be honest, it was really emotional and pretty short and almost no one took photos until cocktail hour. Sometimes I think that photo above with all of the cameras along the aisle is just the extreme – it depends on how camera-happy and plugged-in your crowd is. I love all of our ceremony photos from our pros, but if they had missed a big moment I would probably be upset like Mrs. Mink.
I’m SO glad you changed your mind, Miss Otter! To each his/her own, for sure, but I do think it’s worth it to give people the option. I think it’s great to have the ‘little’ things captured, too, especially while you’re waiting for your professional pictures. Yay for the ‘Bee, exposing new ideas and everything! 
We had a note on our programs asking people for no flash photography during the Mass. We had a few photos that we ended up being tagged in from the wedding ceremony, and about 30 or so from the reception. Without those, I wouldn’t have seen the “fist pump” that my husband did when we were announced as husband and wife, facing the congregation! We were lucky in that our friends and family didn’t do anything crazy trying to snap photos. They were observant of the fact that it was a wedding– I honestly think it helped that we were in a church, since sometimes I think people see less formal weddings as free game. And I was SO glad that friends had snapped those photos– they were the only thing we saw for a month until our photos got back! And it was fun to see photos of our friends and family having fun at our reception- even if we weren’t in the pictures.
I’m torn too, but I think, after reading your post, I am leaning toward just not saying anything — neither plugged in or unplugged. Just let whatever happens happen. This is my new mantra — let’s see how long it lasts.
Now I feel like I should write a post on how I’ve changed my mind and am now doing an unplugged wedding and link to your post which linked to my post which linked to your post 
JUST KIDDING!
I totally understand that you don’t want people on their phones the whole time, and neither do I, really. I guess I’m choosing to trust my guests to respect me as I would respect them—I believe they’ll use discretion! That being said, just like you, I’m SO impatient and am going to want those pictures ASAP.
Also, really looking forward to hearing Mrs. Mink’s updated comments!
I didn’t give our guests any guidelines regarding photography. It worked out fairly well. Some people used cameras/phones during the ceremony, others didn’t. And my friends were so nice as to share their photos with me.
Have any of you tried Wedding Snap? The bride/groom pay a small fee to get the service for a year, and then your guests can download a free app to their smartphones so that all their pics will automatically (instantly) be uploaded to your album on the Wedding Snap website. We’re giving it a try at our wedding this spring, but I’m curious to know about others’ experience with it!
The Instagram hashtag is a great idea, Mrs. Otter! I actually read this really interesting DIY-ish article on A Practical Wedding on how to collect photos from guests with an Instagram hashtag, if you’re interested: http://apracticalwedding.com/2013/01/crowdsource-wedding-photos-instagram/
I don’t know if going through all these steps is your cup of tea, but they way they went about collecting their hashtagged Instagram photos was definitely a really cool wedding hack
Also, I’m sure that if your guests know you well, they’ll know your preferences and respect your wishes in terms of when/where you think being “plugged in” is appropriate! Also, if you have an amazing photographer, your photos won’t be filled with pics of your guests on their iPhones!
There was horrible cell reception at our venue, so this question was answered for us!
I love the personal hash tag for your wedding idea! I definitely plan to do that. I agree that by trying to be the “Cell Phone Police” you aren’t really going to stop people but instead just end up with crappy pics people take anyway!
I got tagged on over 107 pics on facebook the day after the wedding, and most of them were clear and classy pics. It was great.
Mrs. Otter, Indianapolis, IN Age and Occupation: 22, Freelance Social Media Consultant Fiance's Age and Occupation: 23, CVS Shift Supervisor Engagement Date: November 11, 2011 Wedding Date: April 2013 Venue: Mustard Seed Gardens About Me: I'm a born and raised Hoosier girl, but a diehard Michigan Wolverines fan. I have a tendency to take too many photos and spend full days having TV marathons. Mr. Otter and I met in high school, started dating a couple years later, and moved in after a month of being official. He is easygoing and makes plans on a whim, while I'm color coordinating my planner and organizing everything in sight. He hates glitter, but it's my favorite thing. I have tattoos and he still won't get one, despite my attempts to convince him. We're planning a small, rustic, and (hopefully!) peony-filled wedding to get our married life started. (And yes, there will be glitter involved!)
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