Cell Phone Etiquette
by Sally Manglicmot

 

Most of your guests (children included!) will bring their cell phone. Most of your guests will have the common courtesy to turn their cell phone off during your ceremony, but don't be surprised if one or two of them forget to do so. As you can imagine, it is quite embarrassing to have a cell phone ring during your wedding.

By taking a few steps, you can help prevent an unfortunate event from happening. It's as simple as being proactive. Here are some suggestions:

• If you are in the wedding party and your cell phone rings, the result could be either embarrassing or funny—but don’t chance that it will be funny. Instead be well aware of the “setting” on your phone. Turning it on vibrate is good; turning it off is even better.  Assign the Best Man and Maid-of-Honor (or other responsible person) to “pass the word” to all the wedding party members. Ask them to check again one minute before the ceremony begins. Add it to their check list. 

• Prepare elegant, simple signs placed at the entrance of your ceremony (on a table with flowers).  The sign should display, “Kindly turn off your cell phone. Thank you.”

• If you plan to distribute a “Wedding Day Program” to your guests, add small print at the bottom of the program with the same message as above. 

• Be proactive. At the ceremony, ask a trusted friend to be prepared to escort any guest out of the area who tries to hold a conversation on their cell phone during your ceremony—again, gracefully.