Mindy Weiss Shares Tips from Her Book on Wedding Social Media

“With nearly every guest toting a camera phone around in their pocket, your wedding day is likely to be documented in an exponential number of these fleeting shots,” writes Mindy. As social media is becoming more and more pervasive in weddings – no doubt you’ve heard of the popularity of the wedding hashtag – sharing is practically inevitable. Unfortunately, that isn’t always a positive thing. “Celebrities aren’t the only ones with privacy concerns—many people simply aren’t comfortable having their likenesses out in the world at all,” she says. “Some brides and grooms specifically don’t want prospective clients or employers (or exes, for that matter) having access to their intimate, unguarded photos. For brides and grooms wary of over-sharing, Mindy suggests considering clear and concise signage to be present throughout the ceremony and reception, reading something along the lines of: “We gratefully request that over the next six hours, no pictures be taken or posted to social media.”

For those pairs who want to embrace the social media trend full-on during their special day, Mindy shares plenty of advice on how to go about creating a solid and playful presence for your wedding day. In the book, she goes into detail on selecting the right wedding hashtag for you and your sweetie – especially if the one you want is taken. After you’ve decided upon a saying, she recommends establishing it early on “in order to share sneak peeks of wedding décor or pre-wedding festivities with your guests, [so] include it in your invitations or save-the-dates or post it to your wedding website. (Just be mindful of whether you might be inadvertently hurting feelings by sharing photos of showers or bachelorette parties.)” From her own experience, Mindy cautions guests and wedding parties about one very particular faux pas. “Advice from an Instagram addict who has had her share of bloopers: Please don’t let anyone share a photo of the bride getting ready before she has walked down the aisle. Remember how the dress is supposed to be a surprise?”

You can read more on these tips and so many others in Mindy’s book, The Wedding Book, available in paperback ($25) and hardcover ($40) at mindyweiss.com/shop. 

See weddings and events planned by Mindy Weiss here. Discover more expert advice on how to make your reception unforgettable, how to communicate with wedding vendors, and ways to help your photographer take beautiful pictures on your special day.

Opening photo by Style & Story Creative; Headshot by Jay Lawrence Goldman Photography