The Q: I have one quick question I'm hoping you can help with!
One
of my biggest pet peeves at weddings is when guests become too focused
on taking pictures with their own cameras...especially during the
ceremony. I've seen guests get out of their seats and cause a
distraction during the ceremony, just to get a picture for themselves.
Now that I'm planning a wedding of my own, how on earth do I politely
let my guests know that I want them to relax and enjoy the wedding
instead of acting like a bunch of rouge photographers?! Especially
since we plan on having two great photographers present! Our ceremony
will be short, so I don't plan on making programs, or else that might
be a good place to get the message out. Your thoughts would be greatly
appreciated!
The A: This is a tough one, because it's hard to tell people what to do in a polite way, especially with no program. I hear what you are saying though, especially in this age of digital photography when professionals can often make their photos available online.
The only two options option you really have, and I don't know that either will be adhered to or well received, is an announcement or signage. You could have your officiant or some other person announce prior to the ceremony that they would like to ask guests to refrain from taking flash photos during the ceremony, but the bride and groom will make the photographers photos available to their guests in the near future? Or you can place signage at the entrance or near your guest book or escort table (if those are around) that asks guests to refrain from using flash photography during the ceremony.
Asking to refrain from flash is a much more polite way of saying "don't take any pictures at all please".
