Weddings are hard work. Couples spend months and even years planning their weddings. Not to mention the amount of money they spend. 95% of weddings have hired a professional photographer and once they receive their pictures, all you have to do is ask for some copies. Please keep your phones and other devices in your pockets and let the professionals do their jobs
Couples invite guest to help celebrate their marriage and in some ways when attending a wedding, a guest is saying that they support the couple in their decision to marry. How can you support someone, when you are busy snapping shots behind your phone?
As far as social media is concerned, it is up to the couple and their families to decide to share or not share. Some people are very private and would prefer not to be plastered all over social media
SO WHAT CAN YOU DO TO AVOID THE WEDDING GUEST FLOCKARAZZI FROM INVADING YOUR WEDDING?
Well, there is no easy answer. For starters I would tell any known “shutterbugs” attending your wedding, to be respectful of the professional creative team. When you send out email updates or if you have your own wedding site, make an announcement stating that you hired a professional wedding photographer and videographer and to please be mindful of your professionals. . You might even add a card to your save the dates addressing the subject of photos and film. Whatever is done, it needs to be done ahead of time in a polite manner. If someone still chooses not to abide, then there is not a lot you can do about it at the moment. The last thing you want to do is call someone out and embarrass them.
below is a sample of how you might word an email or a card sent in your Save the Dates or on your wedding website about guest taking pictures and videos at your wedding:
Dear Family and Friends, our wedding photos and video are very important to us. So important that we spent many hours finding an amazing professional photographer and videographer who we trust to capture all our wedding day memories. We are asking that you refrain from taking pictures with your cameras, cell phones and any other devices during our wedding day. Please engage and share in the moment with us and allow our creative team to capture the wedding. These are very special moments for us that we would love to cherish for the rest of our lives. Thank you so much for respecting our wishes and we look forward to sharing our wedding day with all of you.
Of course it is up to you, what you want to say. This is just a suggestion.