The world survives on social media today. It has become like that part in our lives that we can’t ignore, no matter how hard we try. Be it our professional or our personal lives, it is all out there on the social media. Each of us is trying our best to make our social media platforms talk for us. It obviously comes with its own set of disadvantages, but they can never outnumber the advantages.
The other day a middle-aged friend of mine was telling how easy it is for her to stay updated with all her kids and grand kids now. Thanks to social media, it’s easy to keep track of what’s happening in our friends and family. The same is the case with our professional lives, social media has enabled facets we didn’t know were even possible. No matter how far or near they are or how many numbers they are in, it’s all there. It has become a part of all the events that occur in our lives, no matter how small or big. We want the world to know of it. Social media manages to creep in subtly as it is so deeply engraved in our systems now.
One such event that we wouldn’t ever miss putting on social media is a “Wedding”. They are colourful, happy and everyone is in their best of moods. It’s the kind of event that feels like an achievement to be shared with the world. However, married couples would agree that stress and weddings are synonyms. Family or a civil celebrant can ease off the stress, but the major stress will always be yours. There are an endless number of tasks that need attention and some more that come up at the last moment. No matter how hard or how well you plan it, it eventually becomes stressful. The reason is, you want it to be perfect and as you know perfection is such a relative term.
Here Are 5 Social Media You Need To Avoid During Weddings
1. Posting pictures of the bride and groom before they do
If you are a guest, always remember that weddings are a very personal affair. The couple trusts in you and that is the reason they want you to be a part of their big day. You are as excited as others for the couple. However, it becomes very crucial not to cross the fine line of this excitement. Posting pictures of the bride and groom before they do is a strict no-no. For the matter, pictures of the destination or theme could have been a secret too.
Allow the couple to be discrete and take which parts to share and the time too. You can always take pictures of yourself and post on your social media. If possible, try to run your pictures through the couple before posting them on social media.
And always remember not to post pictures of others that are unflattering. You could be looking pretty in some pictures where the bridesmaid is probably tying her hair. Do not post pictures that might make someone uncomfortable.
2. Announcing major achievements on virtual media first and live later
Everyone is connected through social media channels and digital media today. However, real-time or face to face interactions can never take that over. It’s just a substitute to make away with hectic and distant lifestyles. Announcements like that of proposals, engagements or even weddings, should always be made official in person first. It is pretty tempting to put things on social platforms. But you should be careful not to unless you want the sentiments of closed ones to be hurt. The charm of seeing the happiness on your face and sharing it with closed ones will never be comparable to when it’s done on social media. You can share the big news on social platforms as soon as your family and friends are on the same page. This also tells them that they are more valued when compared to the rest on social media.
3. Insisting on redoing of pictures for the perfect social media shot
It is obviously important to take pictures of the big event, for both memory and social media. However, you should not obsess over the perfect picture and value the event more than a post. The whole ceremony is planned ahead of time and is supposed to run on schedule. You should ask the bride or the groom to pose for your perfect picture.
By doing this you are keeping the others at the wedding, waiting and gradually disrespecting them. The wedding would turn into a madhouse if each guest would start taking the perfect picture. Understand the emotions attached and try not to come in the way of the photographer. There’s a good reason he is being paid for what he does, let him/her do that. You can always ask the photographer, later when you find him free at a corner.
4. Asking uncomfortable questions/details on social media platforms
Couples usually post their details with a little hint and are very subtle about it. As a couple, you shouldn’t focus on putting too much information and make it messy in the process. Be very careful about what information you are sharing and how much information you are sharing.
As a guest, you might be extremely inspired by someone’s wedding pictures or wedding planning. But you shouldn’t ask details on social media platforms, about the same. Not only is it irritating for others who don’t want to know about the same, but it is also a lengthier process. At the same time, the question or comment might offend the other person and make him/her uncomfortable. You are more likely to get the right answers from the wedded couple when the conversation is private and not public.
5. Being on the phone, for the most part, of the big day
Be it the couple or for the guest, it’s highly disrespectful for someone to be on their mobile devices for the most part of the day. Always remember that the wedding is not a social media event happening in a virtual world. Don’t sway off to the virtual world when there are others waiting for you in the real world. It’s important to be available in the real world and be a part of the ceremony. Otherwise, you will miss out on being there for the biggest day of your life. And as far as a guest is concerned, you could watch the live stories instead at home if being present doesn’t matter as much.
Being active on your digital platforms might seem like a very smart social media skill, but it ideally is not. Remember to live the real world and depend on social media only in the absence of the former. At the end, social media was designed to keep people connected and not distracted.
[Photo by Studio Negarin from Pexels]
Bronte Price
is a wedding celebrant at gay celebrant melbourne. He stands strongly for marriage equality and takes immense pleasure in marrying any couples in love. He has also co-founded The Equality Network to help wedding suppliers create a better wedding experience for LGBTI couples. He is a regular volunteer newsreader at Joy 94.9, and a member of GLOBE (Gay and Lesbian Organization for Business and Enterprise). Beyond this, you will find him either in his organic backyard vegetable garden or taking walks with his fiancée Clint and their four-legged fur baby – Bingo