On your wedding day you're the stars for 24 hours. That has its perks, but it also brings the family “paparazzi”, guests who want to capture every moment. If you would rather these images didn't land online unasked, a few measures help. Here are the most important ones.
1. Have an unplugged wedding
The best defence against unflattering uploads: leave out guest photos altogether. A celebration without devices lets everyone be in the moment, and when you look at the crowd you see a smile, not phones. If you want to be strict, have phones handed in at the entrance, quite common at exclusive weddings.
2. Announce it on the wedding website
Let people know early that this matters to you, and explain clearly what you would like. Phones in pockets at the ceremony, free at the reception? Photos yes, posting no? Or post only after you have shared something yourselves? The clearer it is, the more relaxed for everyone.
3. Consider skipping a wedding hashtag
If you ask people not to post but at the same time set up an official hashtag, that sends mixed signals. Communicating the hashtag essentially invites guests to use it.
4. A note in the invitation and programme
A simple line in the invitation makes clear that guests should not take over your photographer’s job. A reminder in the programme keeps the request from being forgotten.
5. A sign at the venue
Admittedly a little ironic, but search for unplugged wedding online and you'll find thousands of lovely signs for inspiration.
6. A short announcement before the ceremony
Use the authority of the celebrant, photographer or DJ and have a few words said about going camera-free just before the start. That way everyone knows what may be photographed and shared, and what may not.
7. Approach it with humour
To come across as a control freak, say it strictly. To avoid that, wrap the request with a wink. Nobody likes being ordered about, but everyone appreciates a good joke. A creative line on the sign or in the announcement often achieves more than any rule.
8. Adjust your privacy settings
On Instagram and Facebook you can set it so you aren't tagged without consent. That keeps you in control of what gets linked to your name.
9. Ask a few trusted people to keep an eye out
You don't have to do this yourselves, today you're the stars. Ask a few people from the wedding party or the photo team to watch kindly and, if needed, charmingly remind guests to wait with posting until you have shared something yourselves.
10. Post your sneak peeks in good time
If your only concern is that guest photos appear before your official “we got married” moment, I take that off your hands. I send you around 20 images from your big day no later than 24 hours after the celebration. So you go first, and you and your guests see yourselves at your best.
