From custom couple hashtags to getting that perfect bridal Pinterest board, weddings these days have changed a lot since our parents and grandparentsโ generations.
Weโll put our hands up and admit that we aim to get that perfect kiss photo for our Instagram accounts, but after this photographerโs passionate plea to wedding guests to stop ruining professional photos by getting in the way with their phones, we may have to re-think our strategy.
Professional wedding photographer Hannah Mbalenhle Stanley took to Facebook and shared an open letter after taking snaps at a wedding where a guest blocked her view, ruining the shot showing the bride walking up the aisle.
โTo the girl with the iPhoneโฆ,โ Hannah opened her letter.
โNot only did you ruin my shot, but you took this moment away from the groom, father of the bride, and the bride. What exactly do you plan on doing with that photo? Honestly. Are you going to print it out? Save it? Look at it everyday? No. Youโre not. But my bride would have printed this photo, looked at it often and reminisced over this moment as her dad walked her down the aisle on her wedding day. But instead, you wanted to take a photo with your phone, blocking my view, and taking a photo that you will not use.โ
Hannah went on to urge guests to โplease stop viewing weddings you attend through a screen but instead turn OFF your phone, and enjoy the ceremony.
โYou are important to the bride and groom, you would not be attending the wedding otherwise. So please, let me do my job, and you just sit back, relax and enjoy this once in a lifetime moment,โ she wrote.
The post has since had over a thousand comments and has sparked a hot debate with people all over the world.
โThis is extremely harsh to the poor person simply trying to capture a moment. If you donโt want phones at your wedding, have a SIGN. This is unfortunate but is no oneโs fault but the bride and groom for not telling the guests it was a no phone ceremony,โ one person wrote.
WATCH: Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan share unseen photos for their first wedding anniversary. Post continues after videoโฆ
But despite backlash, Hannah received support from commenters who agreed that photography should be left to the professionals.
โI actually agree with the photographerโฆ.because every time I go to a school event I can NEVER see my daughter perform because there is always someone in front of me holding their phone up and capturing the show on video. It happens at concerts and it happens at even church!!!โ
But Hannah has been overwhelmed with the response telling Now To Love, โI had NO idea it would go viral or be this big of a deal. Itโs so crazy to me, I still canโt believe it!โ
What are your thoughts on phones at weddings?