Unplugged Wedding Ceremonies

Adding Elegance to Your Celebration

An unplugged wedding perfectly balances formal and casual, allowing you to celebrate your special day with elegance. 

In a world run by technology, the idea of an unplugged wedding ceremony is inviting and freeing and a somewhat unknown and new concept to many- often queried and pondered over. It offers couples the chance to create an intimate and heartfelt atmosphere. These intimate gatherings offer a break from digital noise and invite guests to experience the wedding with full emotions. Join us as we explore the benefits and the enchanting ambience that unplugged ceremonies give to couples seeking to create truly heartfelt and authentic celebrations. 

wedding ceremony, bride & dad

What is an unplugged wedding?

An unplugged wedding involves kindly requesting your guests to disconnect from their devices, phones, cameras, tablets, and smartwatches, during the ceremony; switching them off or onto silent. We don’t want to hear the rumble or sound of ringing at that truly intimate moment during your vows! This ensures that everyone is fully present, immersing themselves in the moment without distractions. Unplugged ceremonies are a rising trend, we live our day-to-day lives through TikTok and Instagram reels – imagine having that slight bit of privacy where your day is about you and not the whole world, you invited those in the room, not your Facebook ‘friend’ from school who you haven’t seen since you left sixth form! 

bride, groom and officiant

Why should we have an unplugged ceremony?

When the familiar glow of screens dims, guests are free to embrace what they see before them fully. An unplugged ceremony encourages guests to savour each moment, to catch the unspoken glances and to be fully emersed with their environment. With screens away, the atmosphere becomes an intimate sanctuary. The absence of distractions allows guests to share in the couple’s emotions, fostering a sense of togetherness and unity that lingers long after the ceremony concludes.

No one will think less of you for encouraging your guests to pay attention to the reason you are all there for the day (it’s the main part of the day that we’re all there to see!). Also Uncle Frank isn’t in the background of your favourite photo when your new husband sees you for the first time walking down the aisle – saving your photographer the agonising task of trying to position him behind a floral display. 

Unplugged ceremonies evoke genuine reactions – tears, smiles, and laughter – that compose a symphony of pure love.

wedding ceremony, bride, groom and guests

Need another reason?

Photographs capture not only the image but also the sentiment of the moment. An unplugged ceremony grants photographers an unobstructed view of the couple, enabling them to catch unscripted, raw shots that mirror the depth of the occasion. Imagine your wedding album adorned with images of enchanted guests, lost in the emotions of your union. These images rise above the ordinary, becoming the lasting memories of an extraordinary day.

You have paid (a small fortune) for your professional photographer/s to be there to capture the emotion from you and your guests on your wedding day, explain to your guests how they (photographers) can capture the high-quality photos that reflect the true feelings displayed on the day (Nan needn’t miss the important part by watching it through her tablet!). 

As guests fully engage in the ceremony, the bonds they forge with each other and with the couple grow. The shared experience becomes part of the relationships and friendships, strengthening connections beyond the wedding day, and creating an unforgettable memory. When guests reflect on the celebration, they’ll recall the genuine moments and heartfelt emotions that they felt on the day.

Also, these images are the actual memories and images that you will sit down and look at together on your anniversary, years from now, with your children, family and friends. 

wedding ceremony, bride, groom and guests

How do we inform our guests we are having an unplugged ceremony?

Offer gentle ways to communicate your unplugged ceremony request to your guests, emphasising your need for them to be part of the moment.

  • Add an insert to your invite, detailing your request and a few words about how important the disuse technology is during your ceremony – get the message out there right from the beginning, save some potential drama on the day
  • Use signage at the entrance to your ceremony, there are some amazing stationers out there who have a multitude of options to choose from, have a little snoop on Pinterest for some ideas
  • Ask your officiant to make an announcement at the very beginning of the ceremony – we find a reminder from the officiant to be the best!
  • Keep your guests engaged during the unplugged ceremony, with things such as programmes or a small leaflet with information about you and your partner, your bridal party, share something significant and unique to you and your story
  • Include a heartfelt note in your programme to express your gratitude for their presence and again a small thank you for keeping phones off during the ceremony 
wedding ceremony, bride, groom and guests

Respecting your Request

So you expect guests to respect your request for a ‘digital free environment’. Aunt Sally will be shocked, and Uncle Norman will say that his DSLR is so much better than an iPhone anyway, they may push their luck. But just emphasise the importance of being present in the moment. Cultural or religious traditions demand respect, attention and emotional engagement. Having phones and cameras switched off will mean that distractions are silenced and we avoid that awkward laugh as someone rushes to mute a call, pulling everyone out of the trance of your celebration. 

The memories created through physical and visual presence will be far more valuable than a video clip, that gets posted on Facebook and not looked at again. In a world buzzing with digital noise, your celebration stands as a testament to love.  The invitation to unplug resonates like a harmonious note, echoing through the hearts of those who gather to celebrate your tale. So, let the rhythm of the unplugged ceremony guide you, as you pen a chapter that speaks not only of love but of the irreplaceable beauty of genuine moments. 

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