We’ve all been to Muslim weddings where the bride wears Hijab or Niqab. She’s dressed up, her make up’s on point, her hair 10/10 and it’s time to make the beautiful entrance she’s always dreamed of. Time to hit the dance floor and have a beautiful time surrounded by friends and family. The wedding invitation has clearly stated ‘No Photography allowed’. An announcement is made on the day to ’Please respect the Brides wishes and take no photographs’. Yet as soon as the bride walks in, women shamelessly take their phones out and start recording. Fingers nimbly start to share the party with their family and friends on Snapchat and other social networks. Quite frankly, its outrageous, disrespectful and disgraceful. It makes me so angry.

Those women have no care in the world for other people’s wishes. So how can you ensure this does not happen at your wedding?

I have personally gone up to a few of those women. I asked them to stop recording and delete the footage they already have. The response I got was ‘but I won’t show anyone’. Some Muslim women don’t even have pictures of themselves without Hijab or Niqab on their own phones. Let alone allowing others to do so.

So what can a bride (or her family) do to avoid these situations? Here are some possible options to consider.

3 ways to prevent unwanted photos at your wedding

Photography prevention pouches

When guests enter the wedding hall, their phones are placed in pouches. The pouches cover their back and front camera, but still allow them to use their phones and take phone calls. The pouch is closed using security tags, the same ones used in retail shops for clothes. They can only be removed using a special magnetic detacher.

This option started in the Gulf countries and seems to be very popular there.

If you opt for this option, there are two further options.

1. DIY option- Buy the pouches yourself and assign a family member or friend to help. They would be responsible for placing all guests’ phones into the pouches as they enter the venue and removing them as they leave. This is the more budget-friendly option. Shameless plug: we sell the pouches on our website. Click here to buy.

2. Hire a security company. There are many companies that offer camera prevention as a service. They have a team of people that come to your wedding and manage the security for your event. This is more expensive but a good option if you have the budget for it. Here is a list of some of them:

• UK based:

• Aura Security
• Hayaa Security- Have teams in multiple UK cities
• Unplugged Event Security- Manchester based 

• South Africa
• Himayah

• Kenya

• Pocket of Privacy

Phone Removal

This is where all guests are asked to hand their phones to someone as soon as or before they entre the venue. I’ve been to weddings where this was the arrangement. In my experience, this is the most difficult method to put in place. Many guests are reluctant to let go of their phones, even for a few hours. Some people may have left children at home and need to have access to their phones in cases of emergency. I even met a lady who had diabetes and needed her phone to keep a constant tab on her insulin levels.

Advantages

• As long as no one lies about keeping a second phone or tablet in their bag, this is the best method to ensure there is zero chance of photos being taken. Even photography prevention pouches can be broken out of if significant force is applied. Using a super scanner (hand held metal detector) can help catch any hidden phones in bags or pockets.
• Guests can truly enjoy the moment they are in. They can socialise, dance, and more without the distraction and temptation their phone usually provides.

Disadvantages

• You are responsible for keeping all the phones that were removed, safe and away from theft or damage.

• You will most likely face resistence and refusal to cooperate from guests. It is difficult to deal with especially when the person refusing is an elder and is owed respect. Also consider how in laws and famiky from aboad

If you choose this method:

1. Warn guests ahead of time that this will be the arrangement so they can plan accordingly.

2. Consider hiring a security company that is professional and knows how to handle guests who refuse to cooperate.

Allow guests to keep their phones

Most weddings use this method. They allow guests to keep their phones. But, they make it clear on the wedding invitation that photography of the bride or guests is not allowed. This is often reiterated on the mic through an announcement. Unfortunately, I have been to countless weddings where this was the case. Yet some guests did not respect the bride's wishes.

This method works well for small, intimate weddings. You know most of the guests in the room and can easily spot people taking photos. Even then, it doesn’t guarantee anything. But people will be more likely to not take photos when it's a more intimate setting.

To wrap up...

In conclusion, no wedding arrangement is the same. You need to consider all factors, from your budget to the number of guests, to decide which method works best for you.

Whatever you decide, it is a good idea to discuss the options with your own family and in laws. Try to make sure everyone (who matters) is on board and understands what will happen.

If you choose to use photography prevention pouches or phone removal, have an agreed list of people who will be allowed to have full access to their phones on the day. Share this list with those who will be in charge of security on the day.