Everyone has a camera. It might only be a camera phone, but we are obsessed with capturing our lives. I’ve been this way my entire life. During my friends’ weddings, right out of college, I was pulling my Sony point-and-shoot out of my purse to capture the event. I was shooting pictures of their first dance, the cake cutting, and sometimes even the ceremony. I loved having a memento of the event.

As a bride, I’m so glad my friends took pictures during our wedding day. It was fun to have a little glimpse of our day before our photographer was able to hand over his professional pictures. Maybe I’m just picture greedy, but I think this might be something most brides would enjoy.

Unplugged weddings are all the rage in the photography industry right now. This is when the bride and groom ask their guests to turn off all of their technology so that they are able to enjoy the wedding without any distractions, including cameras. It’s all over social media and I think it’s going to be a 2014 trend.

First off, do not feel pressure to have an unplugged wedding, especially my brides. I honestly don’t care either way. I’m a professional, and I can work around people who have cameras. I’ve been doing it for 4 years and I’m hoping to do it for decades to come. People take pictures of things they want to remember. Seeing someone pull up a camera to take a picture isn’t annoying to me, it brings me joy that our couples are surrounded by people who care enough to capture the moment.

So what appeals to you?

More pictures?

No Distractions?

Here’s my advice:

Don’t have an unplugged wedding for the photographer. Have an unplugged wedding for you. If you want to have an unplugged wedding, then consider putting that information in the invitation so that your guests know what to expect before showing up to the wedding. If you just want your guests to turn off their cellphones then you can always put up a sign, put a reminder in the programs, or have the officiant remind the guests before the start of the ceremony.

If you don’t plan on having an unplugged wedding, I highly recommend asking guests to make sure their flash is off on their cameras. We avoid using it as much as possible, because it can be quite distracting.

I hope that you are able to create a wedding that is uniquely you! Best wishes!

Jenn

Keep a look out this week for:

• “Getting the Most Out of Your Camera Without Disrupting the Wedding”

Also read:

• “7 Ways to Show Your Love and Respect to the Happy Couple”

• “Guest Shaming & Photographer Etiquette.”