WR: Banning cell phones at your wedding

I agree it would be rude. But, I think banning is going a little to far. I would hope the people that I have invited would have enough common sense to know its rude.

I think asking people to turn their cell phones off would be enough. I mean, most people won't want to give up their phones and how are you going to get them away from people anyway? Pat down? Confiscation? Not very wedding-y in my opinion.

I agree it would be rude to text and tweet during a wedding, not to mention you don't want a guest's cell phone ringing during the middle of your vows or something. as far as the picture thing? that seems silly. people with regular cameras are probably going to get pictures online soon; before the bride "okays" it. i don't think you can really ban them. but maybe you could make an announcement asking people to turn them off or something.

I'm with Kathleen on this one!

I have several Dr's and Emergency Personel coming to my wedding, I don't think they will take pics and put them on the internet, but I don't expect them to turn their phones off for the reception either. We are having a civil ceremony at the DJ's office and cell phones are not allowed in the building. Guns are if my friends are cops, but no phones, go figure!

Fortunately my guests have class, so we didn't have an issue with cells ringing during the ceremony. Though if it had happened, we would have laughed it off. It's a wedding, not D-Day, and it doesn't have to be perfect.

You're always going to have people glom onto their phones, because staring at a screen gives people somethign to do when they feel awkward or bored. They're binkies for grownups. So unless they're directly ignoring you you should let it slide.

And, I'm sorry, but telling people to not post photos to FB without the bride's prior approval is just ridiculously controlling. Provided they're not filming you when you're getting dressed, WHO CARES? Yeesh.

I agree with Star and Shannon. Tweeting or texting while the ceremony is happening, or someone is talking to you, would definitely be rude. But telling grown-ass adults that they need to hand over their cell phones is just as rude, if not more so. A simple reminder to put phones on silent (not vibrate) should suffice.

And people are going to take pics. Relax. They're not going to be nearly as nice as the pro pics--and if anything, most people will probably be excited to have ANY photos to share while they're waiting for the pro pics. The only photo we had from our wedding for two or three days was a shot my cousin's husband got with his iPhone, and we were really glad to have it up until we got more photos from my dad and then the photog.

Just do like in the movies.

"please silence your cell phones."

lol

I'm not banning anything but I am having my officiant make a announcement before the ceremony about not using them or turning them off or on vibrate during the ceremony.

Guests can take pictures all day as long as they don't block the photographer.

I am putting a note on the program as a polite reminder. I have forgotten to turn my cell off at church before, luckily it didn't ring!

And yeah, why in the world would you be so controlling as to not allow people to post pictures? They are going to take them with their camera and post them when they get home anyway. And it's a sign they are excited to be at your wedding.

A tiny bit off the subject but---

We went to a wedding of an older couple (brother-in-laws grandfather, so quite a mature couple!) and the groom's phone rang and rang and rang from his pocket during the ceremony. He had some crazy ringtone so it made it even more hysterical. I know most of your Fhs will think to turn theirs off, but maybe a reminder to them and their GMs wouldn't be too out of line.

When i go to weddings I always wait to post pictures on FB I dont think its fair because most brides may not even be able to see any pictures for a while and here you are sharing it with everyone else when the bride and groom may be off on honeymoons and not get to see it. I always wait untill i see someone else post pictures.

I personaly dont think I will mind ppl posting pictures from there phones but the phone ringing and ppl texting or playing app games is rude.

It would be rude for a phone to be going off during the ceremony I would put a little reminder note in the program and ask anyone to please put their phones on vibrate or silent. But banning them ummm no. And as for pictures that is going to happen regardless.

Yes, it would be rude. But imo banning is unnecessary, at least for my guests I am pretty confident they have the common courtesy to turn off their phones..If a bride was to ban them and say you can't even bring them in, I feel that would set a bad vibe/tone for the reception and guests would feel like they are being treated like children. As for the pics, I don't really see the need to approve any from the wedding going out.

I think maybe what's more likely to be disruptive at a wedding is if someone accidentally leaves the flash on their camera.

I'm with Maranda...no way someone is NOT gonna put your picture up on FB, so might as well smile the whole time...I see nothing wrong with it. I have lots of friends on fb, and many who are friends of friends. Can't invite everyone so I don't mind if people post pics up for everyone to see.

As far as banning phones...no way I'd do that, because I wouldn't anyone to tell me I can't bring my phone. I think those who said the Pastor can make an announcement have the right idea.

Turn off for the ceremony vibrate for reception. just dont be texting all night that would be soooooooo rude. but facebook pics im all for!!! hopefully a few ex's would see them lol

At the last wedding we went to the officiant told everyone ot turn their phones off. I am shocked how many people around us pulled their phones out and shut them off..

I think at our wedding we will ask whoever is passing around programs to ask people to make sure phone is off to be a little more descreet about it...lol

And I pitty the fool who has a phone ringing during MY wedding! LOL

I don't have a problem with guests having their cellphones with them, as in a case of an emergency, they would need it. Keeping their phones in their bag/pocket during a ceremony is a must and proper manners and respect towards the bride and groom. I do however have a different opinion about posting on social networks. I put a note on my wedding website to refrain taking pictures of myself and my FH and posting them. We are not able to invite everyone to our wedding, and we felt that if others posted pics, it would be hurtful to those who weren't invited. I don't have a problem with people posting pics of themselves, other family members ect. at our wedding.....I just don't want pics of myself and FH posted. and to further agree with an earlier post, I would be sad if someone else shared pictures of my wedding while I was on my honeymoon and wasn't able to see them before friends or friends of friends of......

I leave my cell int eh car during the ceremony, when the reception rolls around I leave it on, but on silent. THat way if it's an important call, I know. As for banning completely, no. You can't do that, guests will be having to keep contact with the sitters.