Use of social networks at wedding?

superman28

So I don't use Facebook or share any pictures of my life online.

If guests really want to share pictures online of the afters or party, etc.. that is fine I can't stop them.

However, I don't want the ceremony itself shared online.. I consider this a private affair that I only want to share with the family and friends who were invited to attend, I just don't like the idea of complete strangers looking at an important event in my life, especially complete strangers.

I was thinking of putting a small sign at the entrance of the room (its a civil ceremony) saying something about it, but I don't know what to say?? I don't want guests to be put off right away.. is there a nice/funny way to say..

''Feel free to take lots of pictures but kindly don't share our ceremony online''

If anyone thinks its a bit over the top, I would consider ditching the sign and hoping for the best.. I want the guests to enjoy themselves all the same..

fits

You could get the celebrant to say it at start of cereminy. Or write it on programs

stargazer 68

My sis put in on her mass booklets. Had no problem at all.

MrWalsh

You can certainly say it but I think plenty of people might not abide by it.

About the ceremony - is it not part of the legality of a marriage that complete strangers CAN in fact come and see it and object if they wish to? Thats one of the reasons that the HSE are so inflexible as regards venues - because it must be an address that people can find?

Sorry a bit off topic for your query but I just wanted to raise your awareness that it might not be as private as you think it is.

ballsymchugh

say something like the best man will be roaming the room confiscating any phones that may be used for social media and won't give them back unless he is bribed handsomely with at least 2 chomps per phone, or just 'please respect the social media free wedding'

no one will take offence to it whatever way you say it. it's not as rare as you may think.

renofan

I've been at 8 weddings since 2010 and all bar one have asked that Bride/Groom and stuff to do with the actual wedding be kept off social media. Pic's of themselves were ok.

One was my own wedding and I mentioned it in my speech. No one complained and no photos were put up.

It's a lot more common than you think OP. Just say that you want the day kept special and don't want photos online.

lazygal

What's the age range of your guests? We got married a few years ago and as we don't really post pics on FB we spread the word that we'd appreciate if people didn't post picture of the ceremony. We didn't notice anyone posting much on FB afterwards and nobody seemed to mind. I have noticed it tends to be younger people who post everything on FB. My cousin married shortly after me and my younger cousins (18-22) had every single picture up during and after the wedding. I think the age can make a difference and TBH if people take the huff that you don't want ceremony pictures posted that's not your problem.
It is a legal requirement that all legal wedding ceremonies are open to the public. Friends of ours weren't allowed to ask a randomer who wandered into their hotel civil ceremony to leave. But I wonder about the celebs who have big church weddings and have the doors closed and guarded-is that legal? Luckily our 'big' wedding day wasn't a legal ceremony so we could be as selective as we liked.

Milly33

Oh it is a tough one again.. Facebook and sharing seems to happen to much now a days.. Like others have said I wouldn't be surprised if it does turn out someone shares a picture but then if they are close friends and family they should know you don't want it shared.

I would write something like you say above in mass booklets or on a sign if you are having one, or even put it on the invites. I wouldn't ask the celebrant to say it as it might take away from the ceremony itself..

anmhi02

We got married in November gone and on the little info leaflet I sent with details of directions, hotel etc I finished by adding " we look forward to spending our special day with us, but as its our special day we politely ask you to refrain from posting bridal party photos onto social networks". No one had a problem with it and added their own photos but none of us. Good luck with the wedding :-)

westernlass

Our celebrant offered to say it to guests without us asking so it must be pretty common.

stinkle

Would you consider using a wedding photo app - we did that with great success and were super disorganised so never even got a chance to think about putting "no fb" on invites, or get anyone to say it before ceremony. People were good and did ask was it ok to post photos on fb so we were able to say "we'd prefer if you used the photosharing app, heres the info". If you were more organised than us then you could give that info with the invites - it might soften the blow for any fb addicts!

Most people are respectful of the fact you might not want your wedding broadcast to all and sundry, and won't think it's rude to ask. It's awful that people have to ask IMO! One polite way we used to phrase it was "look, we werent able to invite everyone we wanted, so please don't rub it in their faces via the internet!".

Toots

I was at a wedding where they had it in the booklet, it was really nicely phrased, something like this

"Thank you so much for being a part of our wedding day. It is important to us to share the day with only our nearest and dearest, so we would really appreciate it if photos of our wedding were not posted on social media"

If you were only concerned with the actual ceremony, you could put the word 'ceremony' instead of 'wedding'.

stargazer 68

Sorry Op was on my phone yesterday so hard to type! As I said my sis had it on her mass booklets. Simply as above but she had they requested that photos not be put on social media until Saturday (wedding was Friday). Basically just so anyone who was coming to the evening reception didn't see her dress or bridesmaids before people who weren't invited!

I have seen so many pics of the bridesmaids leaving the house, the function room etc before invited guests have seen them which she wanted to avoid.

superman28

Thanks for all the replies,, I suppose my main concern is everyone else seeing the bride before me (I have heard the so much about this wedding dress).

I understand by the letter of the law the ceremony is not a private function infact we are not allowed have signs in the hotel saying there is a private function on during the ceremony.

But what I might do is put a quiet word out to a few of the younger guests and mention it to them. Its only a few days away now... then a big party and nearly a month off work.. ahh good times...

kippy

Ah, it's something you won't give a crap about in a few weeks time tbh.
If people do it, they do it. Think it looks worse to actually put such a "warning" in writing or even mentioning it.

Enjoy the day, you'll have enough to keep you occupied etc.