At S’s wedding, after the parents were seated and before the bridal party began their procession, the officiant asked the guests to put their phones away and stated that the bride and groom didn’t want to see phones in the air as part of their pictures. Just about everyone was compliant except for my deaf friend in the back row… luckily she didn’t show up in any pix.
This conversation reminded me that a few of the best and most spontaneous pictures we have from the wedding were taken by the rule-breakers! We didn’t get the official pictures for a few weeks, and my S and DIL loved having a few pictures of the procession, ceremony, and recession before those were ready. So, even though they didn’t want them, they loved having them. I expect the officiant’s request at least minimized the number of people viewing the wedding through device lenses.
My fav pic of my own wedding was by a family friend. It’s of our vows. But back then, every guest didn’t carry a cell phone. Lol, they weren’t even imagined. I did hear the click.
@doschicos - it didn’t cost any extra. In fact, the venue was so grateful that they offered to refund us for the extra hour we had already paid for. It felt like that extra hour would have been out of place during the middle of the day.
Wow! Having to move a wedding last-minute sounds incredibly stressful and almost nightmare scenario, so glad it all worked out.
I personally like when people take pictures during the ceremony. I like the idea that they can go up on Facebook immediately and I don’t need to wait six months to see the professional photos. I think the way our venue is laid out, the guests’ cameras won’t get in the way of the photographers, so that shouldn’t be a problem.
Also, I was not prepared for how crazy it would feel to send out the invitations (which I did yesterday after some brief crying when the post office told me they couldn’t hand-cancel the stamps and then I pulled myself together and realized it’s fine). People are actually going to come! So weird.
@greenwitch, I am so impressed that all of you just rolled with the punches and enjoyed the occasion. Awesome!
On Sunday, a friend’s daughter casually asked what he’s doing this Friday. She and her bf decided now’s the time to get married. Luckily, he likes FSIL.
That’s sort of what I said (your wording was much nicer) - and D immediately caved. It helped that her subsequent Google search bolstered my side of the argument! She eventually agreed that she didn’t want the groom to keep running up and down the (very long) aisle.
She’s deciding between an usher or maybe my own brother to be my escort.
So much excitement as the dates approach for many of us. @greenwitch - you give me confidence that keeping your eye on the big picture, coupled with a bit of luck, can make all the difference. Sounds like a lovely time!
Anyone have experience with escort card and program printers, perhaps on-line? We invested a lot of time and resources in custom designed invitation suites, yet would prefer a simpler approach to the final printing tasks. Need a couple of signs as well. Venue is specific about what we need and I want to get on it before we are much closer to the wedding. Thanks for sharing any ideas. We have a June wedding and almost all RSVPS are in. Phew.
D2 used www.paperculture.com
I think for some last minute designs she uploaded something and printed them out at our house.
@greenwitch I am very impressed with you, your daughter and your wedding planner!
Why couldn’t your post office hand stamp your invites? Ours did. I think we had to pay a little extra per invite…but we did…and they did.
@oldfort, my daughter mentioned this very thing last night. They are having a religious ceremony and want people to respect that by being present, rather than by filming it and being present for it later, if you know what I mean. I think they are asking their priest to announce it. I told her that not everyone would comply and not to get worried about it if they don’t. People are used to living life filtered by a device, and it’s hard to get them to change that behavior.
We ordered from etsy, proteapress and IvoryandSageCo
On Pinterest there are a number of signs that others have made for no cell/no cameras during ceremony.
Search " no cell phones at wedding signs" or “unplugged wedding”. Some classy, some cute, some kitschy…something for everyone…
@thumper1 apparently it completely depends on the whims of whoever is working at the post office that day. They said they just don’t do it there, they only do the first 10, but they know of a post office in midtown that stamps unlimited, blahblah. I wasn’t going to shlep this huge bag all the way to midtown the next day so I said whatever.
@greenwitch , your story takes the cake! Wow! Glad it all worked out!
My sister’s niece was married last October. The groom wanted to escort everyone so he did. Bride’s grandma, his mother, bride’s mother, then his 2 nieces, one on each arm. It was actually quite charming, even though it took awhile.
One more RSVP…and it’s actually for a bridesmaid. I have a funny feeling this gal actually isn’t going to come…because she also hasn’t replied to any of the MOH’s emails.
MOH is going to call her tonight.
DD says this gal is coming…but…no responses not even to the MOH who was a college classmate? Very odd.
Everyone else is accounted for!
And the seating charts look OK enough.
Wait – a bridesmaid isn’t responding??!