Embracing Technology on Your Wedding Day | Unplugged Ceremonies to Custom Hashtags

Photos and Words by Shawn Taylor

In the carefully curated world of social media – should one unplug at their wedding or embrace technology and run with a custom hashtag?
 
Some food for thought on maximizing technology and your wedding day. 
 
Hashtags and Instagram are great – however consider a large part of your family hasn’t figured out  Instagram yet - and of those who have - most probably don’t really understand what a hashtag is or how to use it properly.
 
Your friends may understand social media inside and out - but many family will have no clue and you may spend hours after your wedding trying to tech support your Uncle and his extended family through how to find and share your photos – there are secure digital alternatives that work great and are user friendly – if you have a tech savvy crew consider using Google Photos.
 
Google photos is more secure / private than Facebook or Instagram and offers a ton of features that make it a top contender for compiling and sharing your guests cell phone photos – not only can the bride or groom create and invite guests to a master group – they can track comments, create albums and more on the spot.

​Most couples don’t have a completely unplugged wedding – but are opting for an unplugged ceremony.

Not only does an unplugged ceremony allow you guests to be present and distraction free – it also allows the professionals to get their shots without having to compete with Uncle Bob and his iPhone in the aisle.

Ensuring your officiant is aware of your wishes is essential and a sign will help convey the message - many couples tie their “unplugged ceremony” sign into their decor – allowing them to add a taste of their humour / style.
  
If you go with a hashtag a few things to remember - always search the hashtag first - there have been embarrassing mix-ups where couples use a common last name or seemingly random letters that turn out to be not so random and stand for something else.

Try to keep your hashtag simple and not too clever - your last names and the year usually do the trick - the wedding I was at that had #mrandmrsmadeofpizza - just didn’t work out so well.

Whether you want to have an unplugged ceremony or hashtag things up – be sure to make a memorable and effective sign letting your guests know your wishes.