You turn to sneak a glance at your wedding guests, all your beloved friends and family… and are greeted by a sea of faces staring at their LCD screens.
When your photos come back from your wedding photographer, all your guest shots include your favorite people staring at their favorite devices. People are smiling, but they're all staring at little screens.
Or worse – your most precious photo’s (exchanging rings at the altar, coming down the aisle, your dance with your Dad) or either spoilt by someone standing in the, with their camera or phone, or weren’t printed at all, because the photographer could not get a clear shot.
In a time where mobile connectivity has become oxygen for some, there are still times where nothing beats not having an electronic device in the room. Formally, being a good guest meant showing up on time, dressed appropriately, and behaving while having fun. Now, as we advance, things get complicated.
The lines of respecting privacy become very blurred. Where previously a couple waited in anticipation for the photographer to release their photo’s, now the world gets to see your special moments before you even have. A line has to be drawn.
One cannot deny that the lack of social media etiquette is a problem. Often, we see the question asked, “A guest shared photo’s from my ceremony on her page. Is it rude to ask her to remove it?”.
Of course not! What is rude, is that she shared a special, very perosnal moment in your life, as if it belonged to her! The proceedings at your ceremony and reception remain your property until you have given permission to it being shared, and you may – and should – dictate where it can be shared and with whom. The moment does not belong to the person making the recording. We have forgotten that privacy has value.