Ten years or so ago, today’s topic wouldn’t have even needed discussing but fast forward into our digital crazed world and it’s a big issue!
Do you let your guests snap away merrily on their iPhones (or even iPads) throughout your big day to capture their own memories of the magic, or alternatively pull the plug on anyone taking photos apart from the professional photographer?
Now that almost everybody (barring perhaps the flower girls, page boys and vicar) will have a digital device on them during the day, the competition for guests to get the all-important walking-down-the-aisle, cutting-of-the-cake and first dance shots can get a little out of hand, and can even interfere with the work of the professional photographer. Not cool.
That said, the thought of actually having to impose an unplugged wedding can seem far more effort than what it’s worth to some couples, who would much prefer to keep their guests happy.
It’s a tricky one!
image by POPography
rachel says: keep plugged in
Thanks to the likes of Twitter, Facebook and Instagram it’s now second nature for us to record our day to day movements in pictures, let alone special occasions such as weddings. When together with family and friends (and looking our very best) of course we’re going to want to capture it all on camera and save securely into our roll ready to upload to social media. This might mean the wedding is soon spammed across people’s newsfeeds, but isn’t the whole point of being a bride that you’re the centre of attention for that one day? Lap up the ‘likes’ I say!
Also, if the wedding is of someone particularly close surely it’s only natural for guests to want their own memories of the day to look back on and to display proudly in albums and frames.
And let’s not forget, guests’ photos can be particularly useful for passing onto family or friends that were unable to make the occasion, giving them an opportunity to see the proceedings of the day without the need to wait for the professional images to be edited.
All too often wedding couples say that the day goes too quickly and that they miss out on moments with their guests, so surely the more people capturing the day the better documented it will be. Brides and grooms can now even set up dedicated sites for their wedding where guests can upload their images to meaning they won’t miss a thing.
Have-a-go photographers have long cropped up at weddings (often an annoying uncle with a new camera) but if everyone respects the professional that’s there to do the job properly, I can see no harm in everyone getting their pic fix.
image by Lawson Photography
julia says: pull the plug
To be honest, wedding or not, I think there’s something to be said for spending a sizeable chunk of any weekend unplugged from your iPhone, iPad or laptop.
I know this might sound strange coming from an individual who runs an online business, but I think it’s really important to take some time away from your screens regularly and practise the art of just smelling the roses…
And on a wedding day – whether it’s a friend’s or your own – I couldn’t recommend turning off the tech (or at the very least setting your phone to airplane mode) all the more.
A wedding day is a once in lifetime occasion at which it’s important to be fully present. If you’re angling for a good Instagram shot or tagging your friends on a quick Facebook update, it means checking out of proceedings, at least momentarily.
Why not ask your guests to leave the camera angles to the professional photographers, put down their phones and fully engage. Guess what, they might even have a better time? And if they feel edgy at the thought of pocketing the smartphones, remind them that by doing things your way, there’ll be more hands to hold Champagne and wedding cake, and more actual – vs. virtual – memories made with their real – vs. virtual – friends.
Now, on that note, why don’t you switch of this iPhone or laptop… and go do something less boring instead?
We’ll still be here when you get back (we do solemly swear).
image by W&E Photographie
what you said on Facebook:
Hannah: “I think I’d find it difficult to ask my friends to leave their smartphones switched off, everyone is so dependent on technology these days.”
Lizzie: “We want as many photos of our big day as possible whether they are from friends or our professional photographer. I say, snap away!”
Lauren: “We’ll be asking our mates to switch off and concentrate on enjoying on whats actually happening on our day.”
image by Studio Castillero
