How to make sure guests put their phones away on your big day
So you’re busy planning your big day and you’ve stumbled upon the bright idea of an unplugged wedding ceremony. Maybe you’ve heard about it on social media or a pal has suggested it—either way, something about it appeals to you. Yet you might also be wondering, “What’s involved with an unplugged wedding, exactly? How can I make it happen without freaking out the phone addicts in my life”?
Fair questions, so let’s get the lowdown on how to make your unplugged ceremony a roaring success!
What is an unplugged wedding?
Essentially, an unplugged ceremony is where you ask your guests to put away their devices and be fully present as you’re swapping your swoony romantic vows. Which means no guests taking photos or videos, texting, or posting social media updates. Instead, they’ll leave that special moment to be captured by pros like your wedding photographer and videographer.
In other words—no Uncle Bob photobombing your professional photographer’s shots with his iPad, no cousin Jessica livestreaming your “I dos” to Facebook, and no guests missing your first dreamy kiss as a married couple because they’re fiddling with Instagram filters. Sounds pretty peaceful, right? Plus it’s also worth bearing in mind that Unplugged Weddings Make for Better Official Photos.
It’s obvious why more and more couples are opting for this tech-free trend—because it’s all about savoring those precious moments without the distraction of smartphones buzzing and cameras clicking away. After all, your wedding day should be about making memories, not just capturing them.
Think about it. Wedding guests have survived just fine without smartphones for generations! Imagine a ceremony of pure love, joy, and presence, sans screens—then make it happen.
How to create an unplugged wedding
Set the tone with your invites
Maybe by now, you’re sold on the idea of a beautiful and serene unplugged ceremony. Your next question is probably going to be, “Okay, how do I actually create one and make it work smoothly with zero drama? (Because let’s face it, you don’t exactly want to hire iPhone police to patrol the aisles!)
Never fear—planning an unplugged wedding just takes a touch of creativity and a sprinkle of communication magic! So, where do you begin? Well, let’s start with the wedding invites. Your invitations are the first glimpse into your special day, so why not use them to set the tone for an unplugged affair?
What you want to do is to make it crystal clear in the invite wording that your wedding is unplugged—but in a way that sounds warm, polite, and doesn’t alienate your social media-addicted pals. Instead, you want to highlight the benefits of an unplugged wedding to them, so that they’re totally sold on the idea—and even excited about it—by the time the big day rolls around (more tips on wording to follow).
Highlight your plans on your wedding website
And beyond setting the tone with your invites, your wedding website is another fantastic tool for spreading the word about your unplugged wedding. Why not create a dedicated page where you can share your vision for the day and gently remind guests about your tech-free wishes? You could even include some fun FAQs about the unplugged concept to get everyone on board with the idea.
Include gentle reminders with your signage
Now, onto the venue itself—you’ll want to place charming signs around your ceremony space, kindly reminding guests to power down their devices and be fully present in the moment. You could get creative with your wedding signage, for instance, using quirky quotes or elegant calligraphy to convey your message in style (find bright ideas for wedding signage and other ways to personalize your big day).
With a little planning and communication, you can create an unplugged wedding that’s as magical and memorable as you’ve always imagined. So get ready to unplug, unwind, and celebrate love in its purest form!
11 unique ways to announce your unplugged wedding ceremony
Now let’s get down to brass tacks—how should you announce your unplugged wedding in that all-important invite? Of course, you’ll want to keep your wording warm and friendly—and also make sure it expresses your personality and the overall theme of your big day.
With this in mind, here are 11 delightful ways to declare your wedding a tech-free zone. From fairy tale charm to royal vibes, to sci-fi chic, we’ve got something for every couple looking to unplug and embrace the magic of the moment. So let’s explore how to announce your unplugged wedding ceremony in style!
1. Whimsical fairytale feel
“Once upon a time in a land not so far away, two lovebirds decided to tie the knot surrounded by their nearest and dearest. But, dear guests, before you embark on this enchanting journey with us, we kindly request that you stow away your magical phone and tablet devices. Instead, we invite you to fully immerse yourselves fully in the fairytale unfolding before your eyes—after all, true magic is found when you’re fully in the moment.”
2. Vintage 1920s flair
“Break out the jazz hands and flapper dresses because this wedding is taking it back to the roaring twenties! And folks, it would be the absolute cat’s pajamas and bee’s knees if you could leave your gadgets behind for the ceremony (or tuck them into your purses and pockets). Instead, we’d love it if you could step into our vintage love story without the distraction of screens. After all, every flapper gal and her guy knows how to have fun without iPhones!”
3. Hippy dippy vibes
“Peace, love, and no cell phones, man! As we gather under the sun and stars to celebrate our love, we invite you to disconnect from the digital world and connect with the groovy energy of our unplugged ceremony. Let’s spread love, not WiFi signals!”
4. Heartfelt and sentimental
“To our cherished guests, as we prepare to embark on the journey of a lifetime, we ask for a moment of your undivided attention. Please join us in creating lasting memories by putting away your phones and cameras during our ceremony. Your presence means the world to us, and we can’t wait to share this special day with you, fully immersed and engaged.”
5. A humorous twist
“Attention all guests! Please be advised that the only snapshots allowed at our wedding ceremony will be the ones captured by our talented photographer. Leave your selfie sticks at home and get ready to strike a pose without the use of filters or hashtags. Trust us, your #NoFilterLove will look fabulous!”
6. Poetic elegance
“Time stands still when two people are making eternal vows to each other. That’s why we’re inviting you to join us fully in a peaceful and serene moment of love. So as we exchange vows and promises, please let the only sounds be our vows. In other words, dear friends, put away your devices and step fully into the beauty of the moment with us.”
7. Sci-fi geek chic
“Attention, Earthlings! As we embark on our cosmic journey into matrimony, we kindly request that you power down your intergalactic communication devices and tune into the love frequency. No need for warp speed photography here, just warp speed love!”
8. Nature-inspired serenity
“Surrounded by the beauty of Mother Nature, we invite you to unplug from the digital world and plug into the tranquility of our love-filled ceremony. So, dear guests, let’s breathe in the fresh air, listen to the birds singing, and embrace the magic of this moment without the distraction of screens.”
9. Royal-themed wedding
“We hereby request that our noble and honored guests celebrate our royal ceremony in the traditional style—with all phones and devices put away. Instead, we invite you to immerse yourself in the majesty of the special moment when eternal vows are swapped and true love is sealed forever”.
10. Musical harmony
“To all our wedding guests, let’s make beautiful music together by silencing our phones and tuning into the symphony of love surrounding us. So, for just a few sweet moments, let’s forget about pixels and megabytes—and focus on the melody of our hearts instead.”
11. Adventure awaits
“As we set sail on the voyage of marriage, we invite you to embark on this adventure with us by disconnecting from the digital world—and stepping onto an island of tranquility instead. So please pack away your devices during our ceremony and join us on our beautiful journey of love.”
And there you have it, lovestruck brides-to-be. Eleven unique, heartfelt, and creative ways to announce your unplugged wedding ceremony. Whether you choose to transport your guests to a magical realm or embark on a cosmic journey, the key is to convey your wishes to them with love, warmth, and a touch of personality.
Here’s to unplugged weddings, to love that knows no bounds, and to the beautiful day that lies ahead of you. In the end, a wedding ceremony shouldn’t be about gadgets or gizmos—it should be about sharing a special and sacred moment with everyone you love.
Ready for your unplugged wedding in New Jersey?
Il Tulipano in Cedar Grove is perfect for an unplugged celebration surrounded by our Italian gardens and piazza. Our venue has just had a makeover and has been praised by New Jersey Bride, The Knot, and Wedding Wire. The Il Tulipano team will treat you like family, so get in touch with us today and let’s plan your dream wedding.
Want more wedding tips? Head over to our blog.