Social media habits that spoil wedding days

Put that cell phone away! A wedding photographer's epic rant went viral recently when he blamed cell phones for ruining weddings.

Now here's a flash - guests obstruct views and ruin professional pictures, and miss out on being in the moment, when they snap away. 

"The photo thing is definitely on my hit list," stresses celebrated event and wedding planner Karina Lemke, who was one of the original and regular, featured planners on the hit TV series, Rich Bride Poor Bride. On occasion she has had to resort to snatching away devices from guests who ignore requests by the couple and officiant to refrain from taking pictures. "It is distracting, rude and ruins otherwise beautiful images."

Lemke, of Karinalemke.com, adds that "it is ridiculous that the moment is being captured and uploaded before the couple have even experienced it themselves. People are just not in the moment anymore and a lot is lost as a result."

From the get-go, nuptials are far from picture perfect. Wedding wreckers rule:

Live Instagram/hashtag stations plus an open bar can equal disaster. Besides guests uploading saucy selfies with the bride and groom's wedding hashtag attached, nudity prevails, says Lemke. "It's like they're back in frat-land!" Some venues offer video screens so that live feeds can be viewed in real time, she says, adding "that is when things go down the rabbit hole. Grown men taking pictures of their naked fronts and bottoms - #bobandmarygetmarried and suddenly the guests have a serving of buttocks with their entrée."

Epic fail first dance: We all love watching those amazing first dances online but trying to create a You-Tube worthy moment is dicey. Don't make yours cringe-worthy. If you're void of special dance skills or have not invested in lessons, then stick with the box step, stresses. Lemke. "Also, some father-daughter/mother-son dances are just plain creepy past the first 40 seconds."

Beware wedding crashers. We're talking unannounced guests or last-minute additions. "Yes, this does happen, and it's on the rise," says DeeDee Georgiou-Newell, a Toronto wedding planner at Weddingsjubilee.com. "If you've not received an invite or, furthermore, have not RSVP'd, it is really tacky, not to mention rude, to just pack up your family and show up at a wedding."

Now your ex-friend… Mix a mic and free drinks and your funny friend appointed emcee, and you might not be laughing. "He may take off all his clothes to get the laughs he was hoping for. Trust your reliable friends who are known to prepare, not the funny wild card," adds Lemke.

Coma-inducing speeches: An open-mic approach may sound fun but it just makes for a long-winded night, says Georgiou-Newell. Every egomaniac will be vying for a turn – expect awful and tasteless and major indigestion.

Until death do us part… not! "I have grooms ask for a 'groom's den /room' for the reception - it is a horrible idea! The men off in their man cave while the women dance to Taylor Swift and the bride sits alone at the head table eating cake and seething."

Source: Social media habits that spoil wedding days