I know i'm not the only wedding photographer who ran into this person.

Good idea. Should be like the old days. You're a guest, pay attention to the ceremony.

I'm getting married in August. When I saw my first thread on these forums about "unplugged" weddings I instantly loved the idea. As a photographer it's difficult enough for me to not have direct control over my own wedding photos (read this as I'm not composing each shot myself), but the thought of people photo bombing my wedding photos with their cameras, phones, or iPads is terrifying.

My fiance agrees with me that it's a great idea. Our parents on the other hand are dead set against it, going as far as calling the request for people to not use their devices as being rude. I've pretty much told them to get over it and get onboard with it becuase its going to be policy. For me it's more rude for a guest to ruin the memories of our wedding, that we are paying good money for, than it is rude for us to limit what guests can do while in attendance.

qdrummer21 wrote in post #16345849
I'm getting married in August. When I saw my first thread on these forums about "unplugged" weddings I instantly loved the idea. As a photographer it's difficult enough for me to not have direct control over my own wedding photos (read this as I'm not composing each shot myself), but the thought of people photo bombing my wedding photos with their cameras, phones, or iPads is terrifying.

My fiance agrees with me that it's a great idea. Our parents on the other hand are dead set against it, going as far as calling the request for people to not use their devices as being rude. I've pretty much told them to get over it and get onboard with it becuase its going to be policy. For me it's more rude for a guest to ruin the memories of our wedding, that we are paying good money for, than it is rude for us to limit what guests can do while in attendance.

Very nice Matt! I think that's awesome! (And congrats on getting married BTW)

The idea of a wedding unplugged for the guests is refreshing. Think of the quality time people can spend observing and focusing on the ceremony, and quality time with each other in actual and real conversation. The way that things should be from time to time...

Bryan

... so you print up these inserts to be stuck in the bulletin:

Thank you for attending our special day. We have hired professional photographers and videographers, so you can turn off your cell phone, put your camera back in your purse, and focus on participating in this sacred religious ceremony in the presence of God. Really. We're serious.

We'll post some shots on facebook for everyone to see. They'll be great. Trust us. And if you ruin the photos and video that we paid good money for by leaving your seat and stepping in front of the camera (thereby ruining the memory of our special day), we'll post that, too. Annotated with your name and phone number. Really. We're serious.

Please, be our guest, enjoy the ceremony, and allow the other guests to enjoy it by not blocking their view with your camera.

Thank you,
(bride) and (groom).

I was the opposite when I got married. I explicitly directed our photographer "I am paying you a great deal of money to capture this moment in my life, however you will have to work around my family and friends". I had no problem with those closest to me and my wife wanting to record the day.

Nothing wrong with that either as it your day. It seems this may an item on agenda when you meet with the couple. You explain what is going on and let them know if they allow it there may be people with camera phones, etc in some of the most important shots. The couple gets to choose.

I wonder if that should be added to the contract? If the couple allow personal devices you can't guarantee some shots may be spoiled.

dasher108 wrote in post #16347079
I was the opposite when I got married. I explicitly directed our photographer "I am paying you a great deal of money to capture this moment in my life, however you will have to work around my family and friends". I had no problem with those closest to me and my wife wanting to record the day.

It's part of the get to know you routine now, explaining the photo-bombing situation. If I had a client say this to me I'd decline the job.