Wedding Smartphone Etiquette – Don’t Be “That” Guy

Weddings are sure documented a lot differently than they were 10 years ago. Sharing engagement photos with faraway friends over Facebook. Using Pinterest to keep up with most-loved wedding inspiration. Using fun wedding apps to record everything from the bridal shower, DIYing, and dress shopping. Hashtagging the couples’ name on Instagram.

Thank goodness smartphones make capturing and sharing all those special moments easy and convenient!  But don’t be that person that blocks the alter. Or the one taking duck-face selfies during the vows. Check out this top 10 list of smartphone etiquette for weddings, so you don’t annoy the couple and all the other guests:

1. Upload it, don’t text it

Texted photos and videos are great for sharing; not so great when you try to do anything with that footage . You can’t edit a texted video clip, unless you’re ok with looking like a lego figure in your wedding video. If you want to share photos and videos with the bride, upload the full resolution files to their WeddingMix account, so they can include the clips in their wedding video later.

2. Hold the phone sideways

Have you ever seen a Hollywood film with black bars on the side? Thats what your footage is going to look like if you hold your phone vertically. Make sure to hold the phone sideways, so the video clips will look good in wedding video later.

3. Don’t photobomb the vows

The couple  hire a professional photographer, so they really don’t need you getting all up in their business while they’re saying the vows.

Let the couple have their moment and stay back with the crowd in your seats, unlike this goofy incident of a baby upstaging a couple’s vows:

4. Enjoy the reception – don’t stand against the wall commenting on photos

Your friends spent a small fortune on this reception. Don’t spend the night standing against the wall, on your smartphone, commenting on the photos uploaded by your other friends at the party you are now attending. Live and have fun!

5. No iPads

Really? There’s no way to not be obnoxious when filming with a big honking iPad. Just use your smartphone or a handheld camera.

6. Don’t block the people behind you during the ceremony

Grandma doesn’t want to be stuck behind the “paparazzi” during the ceremony. So if you want to take video during the ceremony, sit on an aisle and be respectful of the people behind you.

Also, some photographers sit in the back of the church and use a long lens to capture the ceremony. Make sure you’re not blocking their shot!

7. Be your own Tripod

If you’re taking video clips longer than a few seconds, your hands will naturally start to drift downwards. Best bet is to be your own tripod: grip the phone with two hands and gently brace your elbows against the top of ribs. Super important to remember whilst filming the first dance!

8. Don’t videobomb the first dance

If the couple has a videographer, the first dance will be incredibly important to them. I understand that you want to film it too, so you can post to Facebook, instagram, etc, but please don’t videobomb this intimate moment for them.

9. Shut up

If you’re going to take video at someone’s wedding… shut up while filming. They really don’t need (or want) your commentary.

10. Your boobs are not a home for your smartphone

As a wedding video editor, I’ve seen many a clip of bridesmaids grabbing their smartphones from in between their boobage. I don’t care HOW much you need to update your Facebook status – Wedding day boobs are for fun, not to hold your phone.