SOCIAL MEDIA AND YOUR WEDDING

Photo courtesy of Ms Teresa via Etsy

Social media plays a huge part in keeping people connected when weddings occur. Everyone starts turning to different platforms as the date draws nearer to express their mounting anticipation. The day of the wedding is usually a mix of Twitter updates, Facebook check-ins, and Instagram photos. Couples can organize “social media guidelines” so their intimate moments aren’t interrupted but guests can still share in their excitement.

DESIGNATE A HASHTAG
For couples that want their wedding to have an active social media presence, they can come up with a creative hashtag and invite friends and family to use it. It can be included on invites, websites, and personal social media accounts so everyone knows to use it when posted something about the wedding.

Photo courtesy of Short Enterprises

PHOTOGRAPHER COURTESY
Couples can ask guests not to obstruct the hired photographer during the day. The professional photographer will need lots of room and clean angles to capture the wedding moments. Couples can also request that guests not to use their phones at specific times during the ceremony or reception if they feel like it will be disruptive.

Photo courtesy of Bebeto Matthews via Associated Press

WAIT UNTIL LATER
There is no need for guests to be tweeting while the ceremony is taking place, or for the wedding part to be posting pictures before the couple has even seen each other. Spouses can ensure their guests they have no problem with different posts as long as they occur later in the evening. Some newlyweds may also not want any photographs of their wedding posted online at all, and it is completely okay to request that of guests.

Photo courtesy of Phil Chester via Green Wedding Shoes

EXPECT POLITENESS
On the wedding day, guests can get a little too excited about posting every picture or silly statuses on social media. The couple can speak to their friends and family and let them know that they don’t want negative comments, unflattering candid pictures, or sarcastic jokes that may not translate as humorous posted online in regards to their wedding.

Photo courtesy of CINEMATICbyDavidM

Leah Morrison is a Toronto-based writer who loves boating and Oreos. You can follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and her blog.