No photographs - how to word without annoying?

With regards to the church, it's the rule so no-one can complain. Personally I'd get it announced as people might not see it in the order of service. I would find it a bit strange not to be able to take photos though, I don't take loads but like to have some of the people I know well who won't necessarily be grouped in the professional shots.

If there is an actual rule at the church then generally whoever is conducting the ceremony will announce it before your entrance. It very much depends on your guests though. Some are very respectful of any rules, whilst others will continue to take photos or do as they please regardless of any rules, requests or announcements. You'll know your guests better than anyone, so do what you feel will be necessary to get the message across

You could also put a sign outside the church or at your venue if you wanted to- there are loads of ideas for wording here

We're doing the same and having an unplugged day. There's nothing worse than otherwise beautiful photos being ruined by twenty people in the background with blank faces and a camera in hand. We've been very upfront with our guest and have included the information on our wedding website and in the order of the day booklets.

Our wording is something like "We have armed our photographer and videographer with sticks, and have given them permission to hit you if you get in their way"

Kind of a joke, but I do also sort of want to provide sticks now too ?

I like the blackboard style sign outside thanks!

I think we willjust have it for the ceremony as thats the rules of the church and will apply it outside the church too but not at the reception - I know why we would want it but I don't think many of our guests would understand.

Our vicar was lovely but scary lady and she, as with every ceremony she performs, said right at the start that phones in general were banned and "if you cant stay off twitter for half an hour then you have a problem". People laughed and it got the message across.

Usually the vicar will explain the rules before the ceremony starts so don't worry about it. You can get signs for unplugged weddings cheaply from eBay if you want to but honestly wouldn't worry about it.

Unplugged weddings are getting very popular and every one I have photographed it has been announced that no photographs are to be taken in the ceremony, by all means get a board for out side of the ceremony to reinforce it but your guests will be fine with it.

Bruce

When we got married in 1983, everyone getting married had to ask permission for the photographer to take photos in the church as this wasn't generally allowed then. Mobile phones weren't invented so there wasn't the problem of disrespectful guests ignoring rules! I find it hard to understand how some people cannot live without a phone for an hour or so especially on an occasion such as a wedding. I've even been to funerals where phones have gone off too - what planet are these people on?

I think the announcement at the beginning of the ceremony and even a quick reminder for everyone to switch off please before the service begins should get the message across. We arranged for our photographer to take photos of all the guests arriving individually so each couple or family had a professional photo of themselves on the day. This enabled other guests to order photos of their relatives and friends as well as any they wanted of us and the group shots. This worked well for us as we only had around 60 guests but for a wedding with a lot of guests, time might be an issue. Most photographers are very good at taking control of the situation though and are used to diplomatically elbowing people out of the way!

?? ^^^^Made me laugh? I don't think I have ever done that before?

Our vicar announced it before I arrived. I wouldn't worry about informing guests if the vicar will mention it before the ceremony - might be worth asking the vicar if they can inform guests.

I have been at a couple of weddings where the vicar stopped the ceremony when a guest took a photograph and threatened not to conclude the wedding if people persisted in taking shots.....Highly embarrassing for the guest with the camera.....he had warned before the ceremony started about the no photo rule......

Peter

Our church is the same and it's something I am quite happy about, but my grandma won't be-she is a bit snap happy! I'm going to explain it to those I know might flout the rules before the day, such as my gran and a few well meaning friends as my vicar has said that they stop the ceremony and tell people off (she was actually serious) and I really don't want that. I'm also getting the usher on the door to remind people as they come in and the vicar will mention it before I arrive. I have heard (and seen) horror stories from my photographer friends about how their shots have been ruined by other people's flashes so I'm quite happy with the rule. Plus I want people to focus in what's happening, not whether they have a good shot!