Unplugged ceremonies: how to ask guests to put their phones away

An unplugged ceremony asks guests not to take photos or video during the ceremony itself, usually because a sea of raised phones ruins the photographer's shots and, for a lot of couples, the actual felt experience of looking out at their guests' faces rather than their phone screens.

Communicate it before the day, not just at the ceremony

A mention on the wedding website or in the invitation suite gives guests advance notice, rather than a surprise instruction sprung on them as they're finding their seats.

Have the officiant make a brief, warm announcement

A short, friendly reminder at the start of the ceremony ("we'd love for you to be fully present with us, phones away please, and our photographer will share plenty of photos afterward") lands better than a sign alone, and reaches guests who might not have read the website closely.

A sign at the entrance reinforces it

A simple sign as guests enter the ceremony space is a good backup to the verbal announcement, catching anyone who arrives after the initial reminder or wasn't paying full attention.

It's fine to allow phones again right after

Unplugged usually just means the ceremony itself, not the whole day. Guests are typically free to photograph and post as much as they like from the reception onward.