How to Have an Unplugged Wedding (And Why You’ll Love It)
It’s your wedding day.
You’ve chosen a breathtaking venue in Idaho, maybe with towering pines behind you, golden light spilling through the trees, your partner standing at the end of the aisle with tears in their eyes. Your closest people are there, hearts full and eyes wide, ready to witness something unforgettable.
But instead of taking in the moment, many of your guests are doing something else entirely: holding up their phones, heads down, staring at screens instead of you.
It’s not their fault—snapping photos has become second nature. But here’s the truth: taking a photo can actually impair our ability to remember a moment. According to Elizabeth Loftus, a psychological science professor at the University of California, Irvine, research shows that when we take a photo, our brain assumes the camera is remembering for us. And just like that, the raw emotion and sensory details of the experience fade faster than we expect.
So if you want to really remember your ceremony—if you want your guests to laugh and cry with you in real-time instead of through their camera apps—consider having an unplugged ceremony.
Photo by Katy Kahla Photography
What Is an Unplugged Ceremony?
An unplugged ceremony is when you ask your guests to turn off their phones, cameras, and tablets during the wedding. It’s a simple but powerful shift that invites everyone to be fully present; to witness, feel, and remember the moment alongside you.
You’ve already hired a professional photographer to capture the memories. The best way for your guests to honor your day is to live it with you, not document it for you.
Why Have an Unplugged Wedding Ceremony?
It Deepens Connection: When phones are tucked away, people look up. They hold hands. They exchange glances. They cry freely without a lens between them and the emotion. And they walk away with real, meaningful memories.
It Creates a More Intimate, Intentional Space: Your wedding ceremony is a sacred moment, the merging of families, the start of a new chapter. An unplugged ceremony protects that energy, keeps the focus on the love in the air instead of the next Instagram Story.
It Keeps Your Wedding Photos Clean and Beautiful: There’s nothing more heartbreaking than a perfect photo ruined by someone leaning into the aisle with their phone. First kisses, parents tearing up, you walking down the aisle, it all looks better without a sea of devices in the background.
Photo by Katy Kahla Photography
7 Tips for Pulling Off the Perfect Unplugged Ceremony
1. Communicate Early and Often
Let your guests know before the wedding that you're planning an unplugged ceremony. Add a friendly note to your invitation suite (“We kindly request no phones during our ceremony”), and be sure to highlight it (bolded or boxed!) on your wedding website.
2. Use Clear, Visible Signage
Place a beautiful sign at the entrance to your ceremony. Make it part of your décor, something charming like:
“We invite you to be fully present with us. Please turn off all devices and enjoy this moment unplugged.”
Include a note in your ceremony program as well, in case someone missed the memo.
3. Enlist Your Wedding Party
Your wedding party can help spread the word as guests arrive. A simple, cheerful reminder, “Hey, they’re doing an unplugged ceremony. Phones away, just enjoy the moment!” goes a long way.
4. Offer Sneak Peek Access to Guests
A lot of guests take photos because they want a memento. Get ahead of this by offering sneak peek photos. Set up a QR code or email sign-up near the guestbook or welcome table so guests can get a few preview shots from your photographer. (I offer sneak peeks within just a few days!)
5. Ask Your Officiant to Make an Announcement
This is key. Right before the ceremony begins, have your officiant clearly (but kindly) state your wishes:
“The couple asks that you put away your phones and cameras and be fully present with them during this special moment. Their photographer will capture everything, so sit back, take a deep breath, and enjoy.”
6. Give Guests a “One-Minute Photo Op”
If you’re worried guests will be disappointed, offer a quick “one-minute photo moment” before the ceremony officially begins. Your officiant can say, “Now’s your chance to snap a photo of the couple, after this, phones go away!” Guests get what they want, and then can relax and engage. Win-win.
7. Go All-In with a Phone Drop Zone
Feeling bold? Set up a designated phone station. Fun baskets labeled “Hold the Phone” or “Call It a Day!” where guests can safely store devices during the ceremony. It adds a playful touch while reinforcing your unplugged request. You could even take it a step further and ask everyone to leave their phones in their cars. Imagine a whole night without screens. When was the last time that happened?
Photo by Katy Kahla Photography
And If It’s Not Perfect—That’s Okay
Even with all the best prep, someone might still sneak a photo. Your great-aunt might step into the aisle, or a cousin might forget. And that’s okay.
Your wedding day is about joy, not control.
The goal isn’t perfection, it’s presence. Let the little things roll off your shoulders and stay rooted in what really matters: the love, the laughter, and the wild adventure you’re beginning together.
Be Present in the Moment. I’ll Take Care of the Memories.
As a wedding photographer in Idaho who specializes in candid, creative storytelling, I’m all about helping you soak in your day while I quietly, artfully capture every unforgettable moment.
Unplugged ceremonies let me do what I do best, and ensure you and your guests have the space to feel every breath of your vows, every shared glance, every burst of laughter.
So let go of the pressure. Leave the documenting to me. Be present in the moment. I’ll take care of the memories.