Whether you’re busily adding the finishing touches to your Christmas wedding or looking ahead to a summer big day, sharing your very special relationship milestone with loved ones who couldn’t celebrate with you or acquaintances and work colleagues that didn’t make the cut for whatever reason may just be playing on your mind.
While the rules are rather clear cut when it comes to engagement announcements, with newly engaged couples generally capturing the moment with an engagement shoot and posting it on their social media accounts once their nearest and dearest have been told in person. The advice isn’t so explicit when sharing news of your newlywed status.
Read on to discover the golden rules of doing just that, whether you’re a fan of social media or not.
Define whether sharing is right for you
You don’t have to share news of your wedding on social media. While it is generally the done thing for couples who are socially active across the relevant websites, you don’t have to fall in with the crowd. Your wedding is after all a very special moment and a private one at that.
The pressure of posting alone can also put a lot of stress on you at an already overwhelming and emotional time. Here The Knot explains how you can put your mental health first during the wedding planning process:
“…unplug and focus on reconnecting and spending quality time with your partner, away from the stressors of social media. Prioritising your mental wellness should always take precedence, but it couldn’t be more important as you plan your wedding. Listen to what your mind needs, and act accordingly; and if you need to take a social media break, give yourself the grace to do so—the benefits will be invaluable.”
Consider going completely unplugged
If you’ve decided not sharing on social media is the route you’d like to go down, considering a completely unplugged big day will mean your wishes are respected by your guests too.
Many couples are choosing to go unplugged. Yes, hosting a technology-free zone certainly comes with its benefits, with everyone able to be more present and enjoying a better experience as a result. Unplugged weddings are however all about communication.
Tell your guests of your plans early by including details on your invitations or wedding website. Don’t be afraid to remind your guests throughout the big day itself too. You can do this discreetly by sharing your preferences in your wedding program and across your wedding signage.
Embrace the wedding hashtag
Devising a wedding hashtag and sharing it with your guests is a great way to gain a complete picture of your wedding on social media in the days and weeks that follow your wedding date. It also gives you the chance to gather all the pictures taken by your guests, and curate an announcement that’ll be seen and heard!
Get the timing just right
No matter how tempting, you should avoid sharing pictures of your wedding before reception guests arrive for your evening celebrations. Posting a sneak peek in the days after your wedding and awaiting your official photographs is another must. It’ll also give you time to collate Insta-worthy pictures from that wedding hashtag we mentioned earlier!
Don’t boast, raise a toast
Using your post-wedding social media announcement to say “thank you” to all those who shared your special day with you is a beautiful gesture, and one that will be appreciated by all.
