got a wedding coming up?
Whether you have your own wedding approaching or are attending an upcoming wedding, please give this little blog post a read to enlighten you on something you maybe haven't thought about before when it comes to weddings and key moments.
There is something I’ve been noticing more and more at weddings, and I want to share it with you. It comes from a place of love, respect for the couple, and a real passion for capturing moments that matter. I’m a wedding photographer. I get the privilege of documenting one of the most special days in a couple’s life. My role is to tell their story through photographs full of joy, emotion, and connection. These aren’t just pictures. They are memories frozen in time.
But lately, there’s been something quietly getting in the way of those memories.
Phones.
They’re everywhere.
Guests holding them up during key moments. Screens blocking faces. Beautiful reactions lost because someone was busy recording instead of just being there. It’s such a shame because those little, unscripted moments are what make wedding photos truly special.
In today’s world of instant sharing and ever present smartphones, it’s easy to forget that the most meaningful moments in life deserve our full attention. Weddings in particular are filled with once in a lifetime memories. Not just for the couple, but for everyone who gathers to witness their union. Yet time and time again these beautiful moments are being viewed through phone screens rather than experienced in real time. This post isn’t about being anti technology but rather a gentle nudge to reconsider how we show up for each other and how we preserve the memories that matter most.
we've heard of unplugged ceremonies, right?
By 2025, I hope it’s common knowledge that phone usage during a wedding ceremony is a no-go. Many couples remind their guests of this unwritten rule with an "unplugged ceremony" sign or by having their celebrant kindly ask everyone to put their phones away and leave taking photos and videos to the professionals before the ceremony begins.
If you’ve ever wondered why couples request an unplugged ceremony, here’s your answer: They’ve dreamed about this day for a long time and want their family and friends to fully immerse themselves in their celebration, embracing the love and joy. Walking down the aisle is a truly special moment and couples want to see their guests’ happy faces cheering them on. Not a sea of phones pointed their way. Besides being a buzzkill in the moment, phones also ruin the professional photographs and videos.
Thankfully, most people now understand the importance of this and the message is finally sticking. But I believe it’s just as important to carry that same mindset and respect throughout the entire day. The special moments aren’t just in the vows. They’re in the entrances, the hugs, the toasts, the dancing, and of course the confetti throw.
which moments are key moments?
Along with the ceremony, when we're talking about key moments it's during the confetti toss, the couple’s grand entrance into the meal, the speeches and the first dance. These are all moments where everyone’s attention should be on the bride and groom and the love and celebration happening in real time.
These moments are packed with emotion and joy and when guests pull out their phones, they're pulling themselves out of the experience. There’s no place for phones here. Just smiles, cheers, and memories made together.
Take this as an example. The couple has just been announced into the room for their meal and speeches. Music is playing, everyone’s clapping and the energy is incredible. I turn to capture the crowd’s excitement. This should be a moment full of cheering, big smiles, and people showing their love. But often what I see instead is a room full of phones in the air. Guests are recording instead of celebrating. And it takes away from the moment.
And let’s be honest. Are you really going to watch that video again? That short, shaky clip taken from your seat? Probably not. If you’re filming it for the couple, I promise they already have it covered. That is what I am there for. And it will be captured with care, creativity, and quality.
Another moment that really loses its magic when people whack their phones out is the confetti throw. It should be a burst of colour, happiness, and celebration. The couple wants to be surrounded by the smiling faces of their loved ones. But more and more, those faces are hidden behind phones. Do 10+ people really need to get the same blurry bad angled phone photo of the couple during the confetti throw in turn ruining the professionals photos that they have often paid thousands to have? The simple answer is no!
More phone photos = less professional photos
I will NOT include photos of guests on their phones in a gallery. It’s a major pet peeve and simply doesn’t look good. When guests are holding up phones during key moments, it ruins the natural flow and emotion of the photos. Those candid shots of genuine smiles, tears, and laughter get overshadowed by glowing screens and people distracted by their devices.
If the majority of candid moments are interrupted by phones, the couple’s gallery loses depth and authenticity. Weddings are a big investment, and couples pay professionals to capture the art, emotion, and beauty of their day. Not to have their memories cluttered by guests glued to their screens.
When everyone puts their phones away, it allows the photographers to do their best work, creating timeless images the couple will cherish forever. When phones are out, photographers are limited in the reactions they can capture and can really impact the couples wedding gallery that they have most likely spent a lot of money on.
PRETTY PLEASE, WITH A CHERRY ON TOP
If you’re going to a wedding soon, here’s a small and friendly ask: Be in the moment. Clap, cheer, cry, laugh - let yourself really feel it all. Weddings are meant to be experienced, not just recorded.
This isn't a “don’t take photos” post. Please, take as many as you like throughout the day! But during the key moments like the ceremony, the confetti throw, the first dance stay present. Those are the times to be cheering, not clicking.
It’s not just the couple being photographed, it’s the whole room. The energy and the smiles of the people they love most. So snap away during the fun bits, but during the milestones, give your phone a little break and just be part of the memory.
The most meaningful photos are always the ones filled with real emotion. And the couple will treasure seeing you in the moment so much more than another video clip taken from a phone.
So next time you feel the urge to record something, pause for a second. Smile. Soak it in. Trust that it’s being captured professionally.
And most of all, enjoy it. These occasions are precious and don't come by often.
