Cell Phones at the Wedding Ceremony

Here are three ways to remind guests to turn off their cell phones before the ceremony begins:

1. Print a small, tasteful notice in your program ceremony, saying: “We wish to remind you to please turn off your cell phone ringer and refrain from using your cell phone during the wedding ceremony. Thank you!”
2. You could notify everyone as they sign a guest book when entering the ceremony site. Have an attendant direct guests to sign the book. Post an attractive sign (perhaps in a picture frame) next to the book. You could use the same wording as above, ‘reminding’ your guests to turn off their cell phones.
3. Ask someone (the best man or officiant are good candidates) to make an announcement just before the wedding processional begins: “A reminder to please turn off your cell phones—the ceremony is about to begin!” While this last choice is acceptable, it is not as good as the other two less intrusive ones. A verbal announcement might deflate some of the upbeat anticipation of the ceremony and detract from the positive joy of the moment that is about to begin.