Unplugged ceremony: phone free and private weddings for 2027

I once photographed a wedding where a guest on the front row had a bright pink iPad. It meant a lot more editing work, but in some photos I just couldn’t remove it because it was right in front of her face. Then, as the bride walked down the aisle, she stepped out in front of her!

I understood why. She was filming for guests who couldn’t make it. But afterwards the bride told me she wished that guest had stood at the front with me instead. Nobody had mentioned it to me until the bride was already walking down the aisle, which is exactly why it’s worth talking these things through with your photographer beforehand.

At another wedding I was at the back for the first kiss, because the venue had a stunning view from there. A guest stepped out into the aisle to grab it on their phone and the moment was gone. We restaged the kiss (I usually ask couples to do this after signing the register anyway) and the registrar had to ask guests not to step out. It was a bit awkward for everyone.

Honestly, it’s your choice. We’re in the 21st century and we all love taking photos, so I don’t push couples either way. What I do see is plenty of couples choosing it and most registrars will announce it for you, letting guests know you’d like no phones because there’s a professional photographer there.

The reasons couples give me are always the same few:

• They want to share the photos first. Nobody wants their first kiss on someone else’s Facebook before they’ve even had a drink.
• They want to keep the surprise. If photos of the dress go online at 2pm, your evening guests have seen it all before they arrive.
• They want to see faces. Couples would rather look back and see their guests enjoying the moment than a row of screens.

When you look at ceremony photos from an unplugged wedding, that last one is the big difference. You see your grandparents welling up, your friends laughing and everyone actually watching you.

The couples I see get this right do a few simple things. None of them are strict or awkward, they just make it clear.

1. Tell guests early. A line on your invitations or wedding website means nobody feels caught out on the day.
2. Put a sign at the entrance. Most couples add a sign saying it’s an unplugged ceremony, explaining there are no phones and why. Keep it warm, not bossy.
3. Ask your registrar or celebrant to announce it. Most registrars do this anyway, just before you walk in. A friendly word from the front works better than any sign.
4. Tell your photographer. Mention it at your pre wedding meeting, along with anyone who’ll be filming, so we can plan where everyone stands.
5. Tell guests when they can post. If you’d like to share first, say so. Most guests are happy to wait.

Livestreaming is lovely for family who can’t be there, it just needs planning. If you’d like your ceremony streamed, mention it to me at your pre wedding meeting. The camera can then go right next to me, or the person filming can stand beside me. That way they get the best angle and they’re not in the way of your photos.

A few other things help:

• Use one phone on a small tripod rather than someone holding up a tablet.
• Check your registrar or celebrant is happy with filming, as some have their own rules.
• Test the signal at the venue before the day. Old stone walls and countryside barns can be patchy.

If you’re asking guests to wait, you need something to share quickly. I usually send a sneak peek within one to two days of your wedding, sometimes faster. In peak season I might have weddings back to back, so it can take a little longer.

Your full gallery is always back within four weeks at the very latest, even in peak season. Some galleries have been back as quickly as a week after the wedding. So you’ll have your favourites to post long before anyone’s blurry phone photos would have stolen the show.

Some couples want more than a phone free ceremony. They want the whole day kept private. At our pre wedding meeting I always ask whether you’d like full privacy for your gallery. I can password protect it or change your names so it can’t be found and there’s an option for this in my contract when you book.

I’ve photographed some very high profile weddings that I can’t even mention. Client privacy is extremely important to me.

If privacy matters to you, it’s worth telling guests too. A short line on your wedding website asking them not to post until you have, or not to share photos of the children, saves any awkward conversations later. Wedding planners are even predicting more non disclosure agreements and phone free moments at bigger weddings in 2027.

Content creators are now a normal part of lots of weddings. They film short clips for social media on the day, so you have something to post that evening. I’ve worked alongside lots of them and they’re generally awesome. I actually love having someone by my side for the day. It gives me someone to chat to in the quiet moments and we pass ideas back and forth.

I’ve only had one bad experience. The content creator kept getting in the way and taking control, turning things into a staged shoot. The bride had asked her not to do this, so it ended with an awkward moment where the bride had to ask her to let me take the lead.

My advice is to be clear with your content creator about what you want before the day. Share your timeline, agree who leads the couple photos and ask them to stay out of the aisle during the ceremony, just like guests.

Outside the ceremony I’m fine with phones anywhere. Why ask people to put them away? If one does get in the way, I just make a joke about it and say it would be nicer without the phone in shot. It’s honestly never an issue.

Phones on the dance floor are absolutely fine too. People love filming the fun and those clips are brilliant to watch back. Have a look at my wedding evening reception guide to see what the party looks like when I stay late.

The one part I keep for just the two of you is your couple photos. Guests don’t come along to watch unless you want them to, so you can relax and be yourselves.