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| Photo Credit: Shelby Chari Photography |
Friends,
There is a time in everyone's life where they feel like they are attending a wedding every weekend. Ladies go shopping for a new fun dress, the perfect shoes, and all the accessories. The guys may even pull a tie out from the back of their closet to wear. Getting dressed up can be fun!
Friends and family from near and far travel to share their love and support for the couple and wish them many years of health and happiness. Everyone enjoys dinner, drinks and maybe even some dancing. We catch up with friends we haven't seen in awhile and make some new by the end of the night. Weddings bring people together and good times are had by all.
As a guest remember the couple has spent lots of time and money making decisions about every detail to make this their perfect day. You may or may not have made the same decisions and that is okay because today isn't about you. Be respectful to the couple and the other guests around you. Sign the guest book, give marriage advice, take a photo in the photo booth, interact as the couple has intended and have fun.
I realize we live in the 21st century where we all have a cell phone and enjoy the luxury of being able to snap a photo and share it instantly with the world, but I ask, no beg, that you "unplug" yourself for one evening and truly be present and experience this day with the couple and the guests around you. You won't get these moments back. There aren't do-overs. The only time is now to truly experience this moment. In 10 years, when you are reminiscing and sharing stories you will be glad that you can recall the sounds, sights, and how you felt from the moment because you will be able to paint a much more vivid picture for your listeners than to just show them your iPhone photo, that may or may not even turn out.
The couple has paid a pretty penny {or two} to have a professional photographer and maybe even a videographer to capture their day. The couple has paid for these professionals so you can enjoy the day with them and not worry who is going to take the pictures and videos. When you are trying to get your perfect shot the photographer and/or videographer has to work around you maybe making their job harder. Plus, when the couple gets their professional photos back do you think they want to see a bunch of guests distracted by their cell phones? Also, when the doors open for the big reveal of the bride, I am pretty sure she doesn't want to see a bunch of cell phones pointed in her direction. One more... What about when the couple is announced at the end as the newlyweds? They want to see your smiles and hear your claps, not your phone! Not to mention, the raising up and down of cell phones and moving around can be very distracting for the guests around you.
For one night, put your phone away. I promise you will survive and be happier knowing that you fully embraced the experience. From the smell of the bouquets, the taste of the food, the sound of laughter and cheers, to seeing and appreciating all the details put into making this day all about the couple up front, make yourself fully present because there is truly so much to experience and when you come out from behind that phone you will be amazed by what you have been missing out on.
Your fellow iPhone lover,
Stephanie
P.S. I am positive the couple will be more than happy to share their professional photos with you in a few weeks. Patience.
