Gather tips on encouraging your guests to use social media throughout your celebration.
Thinking about adding some Insta social media sauce to your wedding, but not sure where to start? No Problem! We've collected the best ideas from around the World WideWeb, and shared them here in our guide, just for you!
Encouraging your guests to use Social Media at your wedding is certainly a fun, doesn't have to take you a lot of time, and actually can be a great way of capturing your big day!
SOCIAL MEDIA vs AN UPLUGGED WEDDING DAY
Social media at your wedding can be a fun addition. However, in times where our electronic life sometimes seems to take over our real-life, how do you know when too much is just too much? We would say let your audience know how you feel about the use of social media on your wedding day.
For instance, you might want to tell your guests that you want to keep the ceremony to yourself, family and close friends. After all, this is the moment that it’s all about! You don’t want your guests to miss the actual tying of the knot because they’re looking at their phone! Following the ceremony, you could then let the reception be a free-for-all (we'll guide you through that bit later!)
You can also use social media to easily reach everybody for any last minute changes, for example venue changes due to the weather. But make sure your Facebook/Social media rookie friends and family receive the info as well!
INSTAGRAM/FACEBOOK AT YOUR WEDDING
The Do's & Don'ts
DO CHOOSE A WEDDING HASHTAG
A great place to start is the wedding hashtag. It's a fun thing to come up with that says something about you or just something simple that your guests can quickly add to their posts. Its a fantastic way to gather pics post-wedding when you're relaxing on your honeymoon, and wondering what your guests were up to while you weren't around! Or you'll find some lovely, real shots of you and your partner. Struggling to think of a hashtag for your wedding? Visit this website and use their hashtag generator.
DON'T SHARE PICS BEFORE THE EVENING GUESTS ARRIVE
Most couples will want their evening guests to get the same sweet surprise as the morning guests did. We’ve heard plenty of horror stories where bridesmaids are so keen to upload pictures of the bride, they do so before the ceremony has even begun! Surely posting those selfies can wait just a few hours more...?
DO TAKE SELFIES
Capture your own moment at the time you please. Be sure not to overdo it though. It’s your wedding, enjoy the best day of your life unplugged, so to be in touch with everything and everybody around you.
DON'T OBSTRUCT THE PHOTOGRAPHER
This is more of a note to the guests than the happy couple! We’ve seen it so many times: perfect aisle shots shattered because there’s a sea of smartphones in front, trying to nab their own shots. As a couple, you've invested a lot in a photographer for the big day and chosen them carefully. So make sure they are given space to work their magic, because the results will probably be better than your shaky/blurry shot of nothing!
DO CREATE A WEDDING HASHTAG SIGN
Creating a fun piece of signage for people to hold during picture taking can be a great way to spread your hashtag, whilst also serving as a great prop for people to interact with! Can't think of a design for your sign - visit WeddingHashtagWall as they have some great templates which you can lift straight off!
DON'T BE ON YOUR PHONE ALL DAY
You and your other half are there to live the moment and enjoy the day. Put away your phone and have fun!
DO USE INSTAGRAM LIVE
If some of your closest family and friends aren't able to make it, using Facebook or Instagram Live as a great way to make them feel like they are much closer. Assign one person to stream parts of your wedding live. (Decide beforehand which parts of the day you want broadcast.) Since Facebook Live can be recorded on a phone, it won't feel intrusive if just one person takes the reins on that and makes sure the best parts of your wedding are captured for those who aren't there.
This is just a guide and its of course its your wedding day so pick and choose what works for you! But whether you go for social media and your wedding or not, we would recommend a mobile charging point. Your guests will undoubtedly want to use their mobiles at some point during the day, and having a charging station will leave them free to enjoy your day and not worry about their 8% battery life...!
