Keeping wedding photos off the Internet

I don't think you can stop it unless you are having a small event with family and close friends and they know what this serious issue was you had in the past.

I too am having an "unplugged ceremony", but cellphones and cameras are encouraged at the reception. I want people to take photos.

I personally would never allow you to collect my cellphone at the door.

There's also the wedpics app if you want the photos but not on the social networks. Its an app that you send to your guest list and they can upload photos.

@CrystalS: There is actually an app for that. But, unfortunately, it requires having access to/admin control over the phones.

All of our work phones have a camera control app on them for information security purposes. They work based on GPS location. So, depending on where I am... if I am on a restricted site for work the camera on the phone will not work.

Ellen... if you're still looking at this thread, I have an idea I haven't seen others mention!

Since this is a huge concern, I would make it part of the RSVP process.

Contact people ahead of inviting them, ask if they'd be ok with not posting photos of you guys online anywhere, and get a confirmation before sending the invite.

Then on the invite THANK them for being so wonderful and agreeing not to post photos, and remind them to let their dates know as well

Then I would consider a few ways of reminding people at the event. Maybe a few nice signs on stands reminding people kindly...

I normally wouldn't recommend going to such lengths, but reading your post it really comes through that there is a rough situation you're dealing with, and maybe slightly unusual methods would be in order.

Best of luck, and I truly hope this situation works out well for your wonderful day !

I completely understand you! I hate social media and hate the idea of being online even by name as I'm a private person. I also don't think that any picture of minors should be allowed online ever, not at their birth, none of their information. We wouldn't even have an online registration, or site, and we've decided not to have a photographer either as I hate to be in pictures, and we don't feel like we would need a photographer to take pictures to remember our day. We truly don't want any pictures. Period. But we're outliers in that regard - we have no pictures of family in the house and no pictures of even our own child.

Taking phones is not going to work, and I don't think you'd have complete compliance from some guests because today's world is "wired" and most don't understand why or how some of us avoid the internet social scene, but if you're willing to risk it or you know your guests well enough to think they'd never post pictures of you online a/o details of your location or a description of the event, then numerous written and spoken requests as reminders will do fine. I would add that they need to make absolutely certain that phones are silenced before the ceremony starts and on the invites.

If you're like me and you'd rather not have to think about it at all, then I would suggest that you use the Courthouse Policy - put a huge ugly sign out front saying that cell phones are strictly prohibited as are cameras, tablets, computers, etc. - that they need to be left in cars.

If they have an issue with the rule, they can go home. I am not of the same opinion as the person who said that no cell phone is a deal breaker because of a "sick relative" needing to reach her 24/7. If you are caring for someone that is so ill they need to reach you 24/7, then you can't do anything else. You could make sure that they have the no. of the location you're at (like we did in the past) and tell people to give that as an emergency no. - or if it's an outdoor affair without such a no., have someone who will be secretary and give that no. out as a "business-emergency no." to be reached at. Honestly , if you can't leave your phone in a car, then you are addicted to it - you don't need it. If it's a "the kids will be loud without something in their hands" problem, then the problem is that you've never trained them to sit through stuff they don't like. You can, however, send them with something more suitable like a book to read or some paper and two or three crayons to draw with.

And BTW, I am severely ADHD. I take three medications 4x a day for it and I don't need a phone in my hand. I went unmedicated for years. It was called "discipline". I got my ass beat if I didn't sit still. There' s a meme for it.