The Importance of an Unplugged Wedding Ceremony

Ever since the iPhone came along humans have continued to take more and more photos than ever before. Staring at life through a screen has become a part of everyday life. This has also became true during a wedding ceremony. Guests will stand up and get in the middle of the aisle to take a photo of the bride walking down, blocking the groom from seeing his bride for the first time.

To prevent this an increasing number of couples are opting for an unplugged ceremony. Today we will talk about what that means and if it is the right decision for your wedding.

What is an unplugged wedding ceremony?

If a couple has decided to have an unplugged wedding it means they will ask guests to refrain from taking photos or video or uploading to social media during the ceremony. Including the first kiss and the recessional. Some couples will take it a step further and ask guests for a total social media blackout during the entire wedding.

Why unplugged wedding ceremony is important?

Couples may choose to have an unplugged wedding for a number of reasons. The first being when we are glued to our phones are not truly present. When couples have an unplugged wedding, their guests will be more attentive and immerse themselves more in the ceremony. When guests are taking photos with their phones they are more likely to stand up or get in the middle of the aisle during your first kiss, blocking the shot for the professional photographer you have paid to capture that moment. About 85% of the weddings I shoot are unplugged for the ceremony. For the remaining 15% it is a noticeable difference in how guests interact with each other.

How to announce unplugged wedding?

Preparing your guests and letting them know the ceremony will be unplugged and why it is important for you is key. Traditionally a sign is made asking guest to turn off their phones for the length of the ceremony and placed at the entrance for all guest to see. You can also ask your officiant to make a quick announcement at the beginning of the ceremony as well.

How to word unplugged wedding

There are many ways to word that you are having an unplugged wedding ceremony. Something as simple as

Welcome to our Unplugged Wedding Ceremony.

Please turn off your cell phone or camera and refrain from taking photos during our ceremony to fully enjoy this moment with us. Don’t worry about missing a moment, we hired a professional photographer who will share the photos they take with you.

Or if you want to know how to word that you are having an unplugged ceremony for the officiant to announce

As a reminder, the couple has asked all guests to turn off their cellphones and refrain from taking photos so you can be more present and enjoy this moment that they want to share with you

How to make unplugged wedding sign

There are many options and designs to display that you are having an unplugged wedding. From printing one off of the internet, printing it out and placing it in a frame to hiring a calligrapher to design one for you on a large chalkboard.

Should I have an unplugged wedding?

In my experience as a wedding photographer here in Indianapolis having an unplugged wedding ceremony greatly reduces the chance of a guest standing up and blocking the perfect shot. But more, as a wedding photographer I can see first hand that when a guest looks at you exchanging your vows joining your lives together the joy in their eyes and face is so much more than when they are viewing it through the screen of their cell phone.

But ultimately ask yourself why have you invited your closest friends and loved ones? Was it so they can snap a pixelated version of you standing together from 10 rows back? Or did you invite them because you wanted to share the joy and experience of your special day with those you love most? You are hiring a professional with an experienced artistic eye to capture your wedding day. Let your guests relax and enjoy themselves.

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What to ask Wedding DJ or Live Band

Think of every great party you have ever been to. What is the one thing that links them all together? Amazing music. The music can make or break any party. Picking the right entertainment for your wedding is a big decision. Today’s I will cover everything related to picking out the perfect DJ or Band for your wedding!

What does a Wedding DJ or Band do?

Your wedding DJ or Live Band is the entertainment coordinator for your wedding. They will keep spirits high and the party going.

Wedding DJ vs Band

If you are going for the ultimate experience, nothing beats a live band. Their presence is part of the show. A live band will typically cost more than a DJ as there are more members performing. A wedding DJ will have a selection of music that it unmatched.

Why Hire a Wedding DJ or Band?

Hiring the right DJ or Live Band for your wedding is important. Quality entertainment keeps their egos checked at the door, play as a team, and know they only have one shot to make your wedding perfect.

When to book a Wedding DJ?

Quality wedding DJs or Live bands around Indianapolis will book 8-9 months in advance.

Now that you know the basics of wedding entertainment you should schedule time to meet with some potential candidates to hear who they are and give you the opportunity to ask questions.

PS Download this list of questions to ask wedding dj or band, at the bottom of the page to bring with you to your meetings!

1: How long have you been in the wedding business?

This is a great opener and will give you a sense of who they are and why they love being wedding entertainment

2: Do you have my date open?

From the time that you inquire about your wedding day and the time you meet they may have booked your wedding date so just confirm.

3: What is your specialty?

Some live bands specialize in classic rock while others, disco. Some DJs specialize is creating their own mixes while others keep a playlist. If you are going for a specific theme or feel to your wedding, be sure to pick entertainment that will suit that.

4: How extensive is your song list? Can we make requests for songs?

With access to YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, and other sources a Wedding Dj should have no issue dealing with requests. For live bands it is much tougher as you could imagine. But they should have a list of songs they can play that are open to requests. If there is a specific song you would like played at your wedding, be sure to ask if they can accommodate with enough time to prepare.

5: Do you provide any extras, like lighting?

A wedding DJ or band should have some sort of lighting kit. Some have a few party lights that sit on top of their speakers while others have an extensive kit with colored up lighting that can light up the largest of reception venues. Even though the reception will be dark, the more lighting the better the mood. Since they will also be in charge of keeping the flow of events moving, some will help with the planning of the reception.

Felix & Fingers Dueling Pianos

6: How much space or stage do you require?

Unless you have a very small venue a DJ should have no problem fitting anywhere. A live band will take up more room as there are more people performing. Ask to ensure your venue will fit their needs.

7: How much time is needed for set up, sound check, and breakdown?

Both a DJ and a live band will have a lot of equipment that will take some time to set up. If you have time restrictions from your venue find out how much time they need so you can plan ahead.

8: Are there any additional charges?

From Travel, to set up and take down, and overtime if the party just won’t stop, make sure you are clear on any additional charges so you are not surprised later on.

9: How often do you take breaks? What happens when you do?

A live band will typically break for 15 mins every hour while others rotate band members to play continuously (this may be an additional fee) A DJ might do the same but they can walk away for a moment while the music is playing. If looking into a band, be sure to ask what happens while they take a break and if some other music will be playing.

10: Do you have liability insurance?

Many venues around Indianapolis require wedding venues to have liability insurance in case of accidental damage. If they do have insurance and an accident happens you will not be on the hook for damages.

Ask to see a sample contract

Reading over contracts is not fun but with how important your wedding day is a contract is essential to protect yourself. Also make sure the contract lists what happens if the wedding is canceled in the event of a natural disaster or death in the family.

Click Here to Download this List of What To Ask Wedding DJ / Band to take with you to your next meeting!

See More: Complete Wedding Planning Guide!

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What to Ask Wedding Cake Baker

The wedding cake is a staple and an icon of any wedding. It is not only a way to serve something sweet to your guests but is also the perfect opportunity to add additional personality to your wedding day. It is also crazy delicious and the whole reason I became a wedding photographer. Even though there are many wedding cake alternatives, weddings and cake go together like movies and popcorn. But if you have never ordered a wedding cake before there may be some questions you need answered before picking the right cake for you. To start here are the basics you need to know about wedding cake.

What is wedding cake?

Wedding cake is a rich ornate typically iced cake with 2 or more tiers that is served at a wedding.

Wedding cake vs birthday cake?

To get technical wedding cake is a “High Ratio” cake. Meaning the ratio of fat to flower is higher yielding a much more moist and tastier cake.

When to do wedding cake cutting?

The cake cutting is typically right after the meal and toasts. After the cake has been cut there are first dances which gives the caterers time to cut the cake for the guests before serving them.

How much wedding cake do you need?

Cake bakers know how many servings each cake will make. They will ask you how many servings do you want per guest. On average only 77% of guest actually eat cake. So ordering cake for 85% of your guests will ensure you have enough!

Can wedding cake be frozen? How long will wedding cake last in fridge/freezer? How to defrost wedding cake?

Wedding cake can absolutely be frozen. Many couples freeze the top tier to save and eat on their first wedding anniversary. Simply wrap the cake in cling wrap and two layers of tin foil to prevent any freezer burn. The cake will last up to a year in this condition. Any longer and the quality of the cake will start to break down. To thaw the cake simply take it out of the freezer and place it in the fridge for 2-3 days. Keep the cake in the cake in the cling wrap and tinfoil to avoid the cake absorbing any smells like garlic or cheese in the fridge.

Can wedding cake be sit out overnight

As long as the cake is refrigerated until the day of the wedding (if you are ordering a cake and having it delivered, it will be) your wedding cake will keep for up to 48 hours out of the refrigerator. If there are left overs, (and there always are) enjoy! Chances are you only got the one bite at your wedding.

Now that you have a great idea as to what wedding cake it is time to meet with some local cake bakers around Indianapolis to pick out and design a cake. Here is a list what to ask cake bakers.

PS Download this list below to print out and take to your next meeting!

1: How long have you been in the wedding cake business?

This lets them talk a little about how they got started and will let you hear this passion for making wedding cakes that fit their clients personalities.

2: What is your specialty/ what are you known for?

They might be the source for large wedding cakes, or fresh fruit fillings, or even intricate design. Ask them so make sure it fits what you’re looking for in your wedding cake.

3: Can you design a custom cake to match our weddings theme? Can we give you a photo of a cake to recreate?

Custom Wedding cakes are a huge crowd pleaser. Especially wedding cakes with flowers. On top of adding tons of flare to your reception it lets you inject your personality to the party making your wedding even more special.

4: How do you price your cakes? By the slice?

The way a cake is priced varies from baker to baker. It could be a flat fee or a per person fee. You typically don't know the exact number of guests until a few weeks before the wedding which can alter the size of the cake you need. Ask to be clear on what to expect.

5: Can you accommodate dietary restriction for some guests?

There is a good chance you will have wedding guests with dietary restrictions. Don’t leave them out. Many cake bakers will offer gluten free options and some offer vegan options as well.

6: What recommendations can you give to maximize my budget?

The cake baker is the expert. They know that icing is much cheaper than fondant, or if you want a specialty designed intricate cake it may make sense to order a smaller one and serve a much cheaper sheet cake to the rest of your guests. These are things you’re not expected to know so don’t be afraid to ask!

7: When do we need to order our wedding cake?

Typically the order for your wedding cake should be in 6-8 months before your wedding. Larger cakes may need more time but it depends on several factors so ask for clarification.

8: Will there be any additional charges?

From a delivery fee to set up fee there may be several additional charges. They may even decorate the cake table.

Ask to see a Contract.

What would happen if the cake gets damaged in transit to wedding? These are things that should be listed in the contract. Also make sure you know what will happen in the event of a cancelation. From Natural disaster to a death in the family there is more than one reason why a wedding would get postponed. Make sure the contract covers it!

Click Here to download this list of what to ask your wedding cake baker to bring with you to your meeting!

Now, Wedding Cake Inspiration and Ideas

See More: Complete Wedding Planning Guide!

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What to ask Wedding Officiants in Indiana

There are so many choices of wedding officiants in Indianapolis. You may have a lot of questions which is natural, especially if you have never been married before. 8 months before your wedding is when to book a wedding officiant. Right now we will cover everything from what a wedding officiant does to what questions to ask a wedding officiant before you book them.

What does the wedding officiant do

A wedding officiant simply whiteness the consent of marriage and they validate the marriage licence. Therefore in Indiana you can not have a wedding without an officiant.

What is the difference between a celebrant and an officiant

They both have the same job but the term Celebrant is typically used with clergy or other religious officiants.

Who can officiate a wedding

In Indiana anyone who has been ordained to do as such! You may want a friend or family member to be the officiate the wedding to make it more personal. There is no government insured officiant license needed to officiate a wedding in the state of Indiana.

Christian weddings are typically officiated by pastor

Jewish weddings are typically officiated by rabbi

They can be provided by the church

The officiant for non religious couples or wedding outside of a church could be married by a justice of the peace, judge, mayor, or anyone acting under law to certify the county issued marriage license.

What does the wedding officiant say

Typically before the wedding they will meet with you to gather some details about your relationship to speak to during the ceremony. Like how you two meet. Are you both Colts fans, did you meet in college or did you go to rivals Butler and Perdue? They will also find out how long you want the ceremony to last. If you want any readings of religious texts, or if you will be having a secular ceremony without any religious elements.

There is no hard script for what the officiant says but they will more than likely introduce you and your relationship, give advice or wise words about marriage, have you confirm you would like to marry the person in front of you and then end the ceremony with a kiss. Once done they will have you sign your license making the whole thing official and you are legally married.

Now that you know what a wedding officiant does, you will need to find and sit down or chat with them on the phone before choosing them for your wedding. This is where you can ask questions to determine if they are the best fit for the type of wedding you are having. Because of the personalized nature of weddings, some questions may not apply to your ceremony. Just skip over them.

PS Download this list of questions at the bottom of the page to print out and bring with you to your meeting!

1: Tell me about your services?

This is an opener. This gives them a chance to tell you a bit about themselves, how long they have been officiating weddings, and hopefully answer some of the questions below.

2: Are you supportive of secular / interfaith / same sex marriages?

If any of these apply to you, this is an important question for obvious reasons. If they are not supportive of your marriage you will not need to ask any further questions.

3: Do you have any restrictions for the type of ceremony we would like to have?

Some officiants only perform specific types of ceremonies. If you two have talked about what you like your ceremony to look like this is an important question to ensure your officiant can make that idea come to life and not box you into something else.

4: Do you allow others to speak / participate / have a reading during the ceremony?

You may have a friend who wants to do a reading or sing a specific song to make the ceremony special. Ask how they can help others participate in your wedding ceremony

5: Can we write down our own vows or have a ceremony themed to fit our wedding?

You may want a star wars themed wedding with an officiant dressed in galactic attire, or you may want something toned down a bit. If you have a strong theme for your wedding ask if the officiant will participate to make the event more special.

6: What will you say during the ceremony, can we read it before hand?

The officiant should be able to tell you what they try to cover during the ceremony. You may want to read what the officiant will say as well to avoid surprises.

7: Will we have any meetings in person before the wedding?

The officiant will need to ask you both questions to properly plan your ceremony to your wishes. Find out if this needs to be done in person of if it can be done over FaceTime.

8: Do you require premarital counseling?

A lot of Celebrants will require you to do some premarital counseling to ensure you are a good fit and ready for married life before they will consider officiating your wedding.

9: Are there any additional fees we should be aware of?

Mileage and the Rehearsal would be the most common extras but be sure to ask so you are clear on what you will be paying.

As always ask to see a sample contract and the cancelation policy

The contract should cover payment, their scope of work, as well as their cancelation policy. Weddings can be called off or pushed back for several reasons including natural disasters and family deaths. Be sure if the unthinkable happens you are covered.

I hope this article shed some light as to what a wedding officiant does and what they will do for your wedding here in Indiana.

Click Here to Download and Print out this List to bring with you to your next Meeting!

See More: Complete Wedding Planning Guide!

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What To Ask Wedding Videographers in Indiana

You know exactly Why You Need A Wedding Videographer, you did your research or got recommendations from your photographer and have set up a consultation with 2-3 of your favorite videographers. You should already have info like if they are available for your wedding date and the wedding videographers average cost package. 8 months before the big day is when to book a wedding videographer.

You will cherish your wedding video for the rest of your life. You want to make sure you ask the right questions so you can pick the right wedding videographer for you and your wedding! Know that wedding videographers in Indianapolis operate differently and this blog is to act more as a guide to help you make the right decision personally.

Here are the 16 Questions to Ask a Wedding Videographer.

PS download these questions at the bottom of the page to print out and take with you to your meeting.

1: How long have you been in the wedding industry?

This is a great starter. They are the professional, let them guide the conversation. This lets them talk a bit about what they do and will hopefully bring up specific questions to ask.

2: How would you describe your shooting style?

There are several different style of wedding videography and knowing which you like will help you narrow down the right videographer. The main styles of wedding videography are Cinematic and Documentary. Cinematic wedding videography is typically shorter clips that are used to tell a strong story. Documentary is longer shots that focus less on creativity and more on the editing to piece things together.

3: Have you shot at my ceremony location before?

If they have not, it is not a deal breaker but if they have they can clue you into any rules or regulations the venue might have. Some venues will not let the photographer/videographer get closer than the last aisle so guests are not disturbed. Knowing that will be helpful.

4: How many cameras do you use for the ceremony?

There should be a minimum of 3, 4 is better. It will give them options when editing to maximize the moment and emotion. The additional cameras typically stay on tripods.

5: How many shooters will be at the wedding?

With wedding videography having a second videographer is ideal so there are options to cut away to when editing. A photographer can easily shoot a wedding on their own because of the nature of photography being still.

6: Will you be using a Drone? Do you have a drone operators license? Do you have liability insurance?

Drone videography can really up the production and quality of your wedding video. Ask to confirm they are registered to fly a drone commercially with the FAA to avoid getting the law involved in your wedding day. Also ask how much liability insurance they have as drone accidents can happen and when you have a lot of guests at your wedding you want to make sure they will be covered.

7: What parts of the wedding do you shoot?

This questions may sound obvious but some videographers don’t film the portrait session with your photographer instead they film the cocktail hour with your guests. It’s an artistic preference. Again no right or wrong answer here, just make sure you are clear on what they will be shooting.

8: How do you capture audio through the day? Wireless mic, on camera mics?

Wireless mics will give the clearest audio but require adjusting constantly and the receiver is the size of a deck of cards that you may have to find difficult to keep on you without pockets.

9: What kind of lighting do you use during the reception? Is it intrusive?

Reception is typically dark which can make it difficult to record video in. Videographers typically bring lights to mount on their camera but bright lights can be distracting when dancing. Ask how intrusive the lights are or if they can be dimmed.

10: How do you handle music for the film?

Music is every videographers headache. You can't use popular songs without licensing them which can be upwards of $100/song. There are free licensing possibilities but the music is typically limited. Try to get an idea of what the videographer with do to add music.

11: What creative input for you want from us and what do you prefer to have final say on?

Film is an artistic expression but it is also a product being made for you. I can say that typically wedding videographers know what they are doing and will do a good job at but you may have a specific request or style you want something done in. Ask the videographer for how they handle this.

12: Can we make changes to the final film once we see it?

You may have invited uncle joe just as a formality and are not a fan of the dance floor feature he got in your final edit. Ask your videographer it is possible to make changes in the final film for this reason. A simple swap like this should not be a big issue.

13: What will be delivered to me after the wedding?

Get clear on what you will receive. Will it be a digital download, will you receive a USB thumb drive, or even a DVD? Videographers are all across the board here so if you want something specific, ask.

14: Is the video watermarked?

The wedding video you receive to keep and hold onto should not be watermarked. If they post the video online it should not be a problem if they do watermark it. The watermark protects them against theft and helps advertise their business.

15: Are there any additional costs we may encounter?

You may encounter additional fees for travel over a certain distance, excessive editing costs at your request, or rentals at the videographer would have to make also at your request. Like if the videographer did not own a drone and you insisted you wanted a drone shot that he would have to rent a drone for. This is standard.

16: When will the wedding be delivered?

Get it written in the contract. Protect yourself!

Ask to look at a sample contract and its cancellation policy.

I know my idea of a fun weekend does not include looking over legal documents but your wedding is a big event and you want to make sure you are covered. Payment, delivery date, and cancellation policy. You want to know what would happen if a natural disaster or a death in the family would cause you to postpone or call off the wedding date.

I hope this information helped you on your hunt for the best videography option for your wedding day. These things can feel overwhelming at times but a little bit of preparation will ensure you make the right decision and that your wedding day is everything you have dreamed it to be!

Click Here and Download the List of Questions to print out and bring to your next meeting!

See More: Complete Wedding Planning Guide!

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Need a Wedding Photographer?

Get in touch now for pricing and availability for your wedding date!

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