Should You Take Pictures on your Phone at a Wedding?

You’re sitting at a ceremony, the couple’s vows carrying the moment, and their words resonate, reminding you of what love is. Naturally, you reach for your phone to snap a quick photo… but should you?

In a world where everything is instantly shareable, it can be tempting to capture every special moment yourself. But when it comes to weddings—especially one as meaningful and picturesque as this Western North Carolina wedding (don’t get me wrong, North Georgia is just as beautiful (seriously, it feels like a screensaver image but with sound))—there’s something to be said for putting the phone down and simply being present.

Let’s talk about the pros and cons of taking pictures at weddings and how your choice impacts the couple, the photographer, and your own experience.

The Case For Taking Photos

1. You Want to Remember the Moment
   It's natural to want a photo with your friend on her big day or a sweet shot of the couple during their first dance. You’re excited, and snapping a quick pic helps you hold onto the memory.

2. You’re Proud to Be There
   For some, taking a photo and posting it is a way of celebrating the couple and saying, “I was there. I love them.”

But Here’s Why You Might Not Want To

1. You Might Ruin the Professional Shot
   When you're choosing a wedding photographer, you're investing in someone who knows how to capture raw emotion, gorgeous light, and fleeting moments. But even the best photographers can’t work around a guest holding a glowing phone right in the frame.
   Trust me, Blue Ridge weddings are incredible—where scenic backdrops and golden-hour light play a big role—this can be frustrating to see the glowing blue screen and the glowing face in the perfect crowd of guests watching the ceremony.

2. It Distracts You From the Moment
   You’re here for one reason: to witness love. Looking at a screen while the vows are happening or the couple walks down the aisle can pull you out of the experience. And let’s be real—do you really want to remember the moment through a 6-inch screen? (or remember ipads, those 13 inch ones?) Let the couple look out onto the crowd and see you, not your phone in your hand.

3. It Distracts the Couple
   Many couples have talked about scanning the room during their ceremony and feeling disappointed when they see devices, especially those big tablets! Let the couple look out onto the crowd and see you, not your phone in your hand. There’s something beautiful about catching a friend’s teary smile or their proud face—not the back of their phone.

How to Support the Couple

If you’re not sure what’s okay, look for these clues:

• Unplugged Ceremony Signage – If you see one, honor it. It means the couple values presence and wants their hired photographer to do their job freely.

• Ask First – If you’re dying to take a group photo or selfie, just ask the couple or planner when a good time might be. As a photographer, I would rather guests and the couple say, “Eh! Emilie- Grab a photos of my bestie group here” because I want to make sure that is captured and added to the gallery. If it is on some random phone, it may never get shared and certainly never added to the forever picture collection.

• Tag Thoughtfully – If you do post photos, wait until after the professional images have been shared. That way, you’re not stepping on any surprises or sneak peeks the couple has planned.