I'm so pleased to share a guest blog with you from my photographer colleague Katrina Matthews. I hope this will answer some of your questions about photos during your ceremony.
Hey, I’m Katrina, a fun loving documentary wedding photographer. I’m here to tell you all about unplugged weddings, what they are, why you should have one and how to put it into action.
The reason why I have decided to tell you all about unplugged weddings is because my relaxed approach and documentary style can be affected when a wedding doesn’t have an unplugged ceremony.
I love to capture events and emotions as they unfold throughout the day. Anticipating people’s reactions and capturing the unseen moments is what it’s all about. It’s your day and documenting what that means to you and your guests is the most important thing.
Working in this way means that I must take a step back and blend in with your guests, so people aren’t always aware of my presence. This works so well throughout the day except during the ceremony when my work can be interrupted by phones and iPads blocking the perfect shot.
Don’t get me wrong I do love getting the odd shot of the couple through a phone screen but when that phone screen is present in a number of images it has a really negative effect on the overall feel I am trying to get across in my work.
There is a way to avoid this and have your guests be more present during your wedding ceremony. The answer is an unplugged wedding!
What is an unplugged wedding?
An unplugged wedding means your guests can’t use any device or camera to take photos or videos during your ceremony.
Why have an unplugged wedding?
An unplugged ceremony means your guests won’t be distracted with their phones, they won’t be watching your day through a lens or a screen and can be in the moment with you. When you look around at your loved ones during your ceremony you will see their faces not their phones and you can share in the emotion they are feeling on your special day.
Photo Credits: Casey Fatchett Photography
Photo Credits: Lurey Photography
Another great reason to have an unplugged ceremony is to avoid your guests taking photos and videos at the beginning of your day and posting them all over social media before you have even said ‘I Do’. You may want to be the first to post online about your wedding or you may not be bothered at all but it would be nice to have at least made it down the aisle together before the world has had a peek at your day.
Most importantly though (in my opinion) by having an unplugged wedding you avoid having multiple screens in your photographer’s images or worse blocking their shot entirely. We have all seen those images online of a guest leaning out to get the aisle shot of the couple. When they all do it, the photographer has no chance of getting an elegant and emotive photograph for the couple.
How can we create an unplugged wedding?
The great news is you don’t have to do lots of work to have an unplugged wedding. You can create a little sign and position it at the entrance to your ceremony or add a little note on your invites or wedding website. The easiest and best option is to talk to your celebrant or registrar and ask them to make an announcement before the ceremony begins, this way know one will ‘forget’.
What is the purpose of your wedding photos? To portray the emotion, excitement, love and overall vibe of the day so you can remember how you felt and what it was like in intimate detail every time you look at them. Avoid any unessercary distractions in your photos and have an unplugged wedding. Not only will your photos be uninterrupted but having your guests in the moment with you will add even more emotion and special moments for your photographer to capture!
Photo Credits katrinamatthewsphotography.co.uk
If you are still looking for your wedding photographer and would love all the natural moments captured in a fun and vibrant way then please get in touch. I LOVE hearing all about couples wedding plans xx
info@katrinamatthewsphotography.co.uk
Tel:07845570014
Great advice from Katrina and I certainly back up the sentiment here from my professional experience too. By not being focused on their screens your guests will have so much more involvement in your Ceremony. I urge you to have a look at Katrina's website, she really is awesome and the fun she brings to your day shines through in her shots.