Wedding Social Media Etiquette
Social media has found its way into every aspect of our lives. Now that many of us access it with our phones and carry it around with us always, it has become an embedded part of social consciousness. Because of the personal nature of social media, it has become a platform for excited brides, grooms, and loved ones to talk about the big day.
Just like anything you need to remember your manners. Social media is no exception. It’s a whole new age so it can be a little tricky at first to know what’s ok and what’s not not mention how that all applies at a wedding or when planning one.
With social media being an ever present cultural norm we’ve put together this blog post to help you navigate wedding social media etiquette – how to use or not use it when it comes to your wedding.
To Social Media, or Not to Social Media?
The first questions that brides need to ask themselves when planning is whether they even want social media involved in their wedding at all. While almost half of all couples are not particular about social media in relation to their wedding, some couples choose not to allow social media during the ceremony, and still others want the wedding kept entirely off social media. This is a decision for you to make together as a couple and for you to express to your guests.
Announcements and Invitations
It is very important that announcements be made to the wedding party, loved ones, family and, close friends before anything is said about it on social media. You don’t want your engagement marred by the drama of hurt feelings when someone finds out on Facebook when they should have been told first hand from you.
After the announcement is made on social media we suggest you keep any other posts positive (and not complain online about the planning). If you give a status update on each part of your planning process you are opening up yourself to anyone and everyone commenting and putting in their two cents, so keep that in mind when sharing your wedding details online.
Hashtag and Webpage
Announcing your engagement on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (with photos!) is great but sometimes you might want to do a little bit more. You might want to consider building a wedding website. If you have a tent or country wedding this can be even more beneficial to include directions, weather details, etc.
Some site designs might include photo albums, online RSVP management, links to the registry, and your blog about the planning stages (don’t worry – you don’t have to share THAT much about it all if you don’t want to).
Like your social posts, keep it light-hearted and warm. Definitely don’t give out private details or surprises – keep it simple and to the point (people will stop reading if you put too much on your wedding website).
Using a hashtag for the wedding can connect everyone involved in the wedding, whether they are physically present or sending congratulations from afar. Encourage people to use it throughout your wedding wedding website, through signage at your wedding, your MC announcement and, if you’re really keen put it on your invites as well.
On the Wedding Day: When to Share Pictures
As much as it would be wonderful to have people leave their phone at home it’s not a reality. If you have a very tech happy guest list ask the commissioner or MC to announce guests to turn their phones off and enjoy a tech free day (or at the very least remind them to put it on vibrate)
It might seem like common sense but if your a guest put your phone away during speeches or general rule of thumb: If someone is talking don’t be on your device. Look up, pay attention and, be engaged.
Many people use their cell phones as cameras, but they should respect the space, wishes, and wedding photographer. Don’t put it past your photographer – if a guests is getting in the way they will be ask to move back/sit down (your Wedding Planner will also help with this to help your photographer have the space to do their job)
Live posting on social media is fine, if that’s something you’re ok with but as the couple try and keep it to times when you’re not sitting at the head table – with all eyes on you. Better yet, don’t have your phone on you at all. Of all people to be media free on the day it should be you. Yes, this will be very hard – it’s like another hand – but it’s so refreshing to be fully engaged and taking in every last inch of your day. You’ve got your photographer, and friends, they will capture it all for you. If your a guest keep your live posting to private/non-intrusive moments like when you’re taking a break from dancing, you’ve in the powder room, or any leisure time (I.e. You’re not being rude and ignoring part of the wedding activities)
What Happens at the Wedding Stays at the Wedding. Not.
You can try to control what people post but it’s not something you can guarantee. Again, this is something you can do via signage and announcements but there might end up being some photos online you didn’t expect. They are your wedding guests so it’s 100% acceptable to ask them to take it down if you’re not comfortable with it. Of course be reasonable but it’s something your wedding guests should understand. As a wedding guest: when in doubt don’t post (You don’t want to spoil their special day or ruin anyone’s reputation by posting something embarrassing or humiliating).
Use social media as much or as little as you want. It is a great way to share your day with your guests and those that weren’t able to make it. It is a fun thing to look back on (and search your hashtag) to see what others saw and captured that you might not have others.
At the end of the day your wedding is the private party and how much of it you want to share with the world is up to you.
