This photo is from the first wedding ceremony completely run from the officiant’s iPad! And it was awesome. As the photographer, I was giddy about it! The lucky couple, Katie and Aaron, thought I was a nut job because of how excited I was over this.
New Chapter in Wedding Etiquette
Before the early 2010s, wedding ceremonies were strictly analog. Officiants carried heavy leather-bound binders, and couples clutched crumpled pieces of notebook paper or index cards. The arrival of the iPad changed the visual language of the I DO moment.
The Aesthetic Shift: In 2010, the iPad was the height of sleek, futuristic design. Using one at a wedding signaled that the couple was tech-savvy, modern, and perhaps a little rebellious against stiff traditions.
The Practicality: For the first time, couples could edit their vows up until the very last second without needing a printer. Features like adjustable font sizes and backlit screens meant no more squinting at handwritten scrawl in a dimly lit chapel or a breezy outdoor gazebo
The “App-y” Couple
Seeing Katie copy her vows onto the device captures a specific moment in time when we were still learning how to integrate touchscreens into our most intimate milestones. Back then, there were no dedicated wedding vow apps—people were likely just using the basic Notes app or a simple word processor, marveling that a single pane of glass could hold the weight of a lifetime commitment.
From Novelty to Norm
Today, seeing an officiant or a groom pull out a tablet or even a smartphone is completely unremarkable. We live in an era of digital scripts and livestreamed ceremonies. But for couples like Katie and Aaron, it was a bold step into the future. They weren’t just exchanging rings; they were helping to usher in the digital age of romance.
It’s a charming reminder of how quickly “high-tech” becomes “heritage.” What felt like a sci-fi wedding in 2010 is now a nostalgic look back at the dawn of the mobile revolution.
Aren’t they adorable!?
Katie She got all weepy during her vows, it was super sweet.
Katie and Aaron got married in the beautiful outdoor setting in Oceanside and can we take a break from the iPad porn and just talk about how AMAZING Katie’s outfit is. She made all of that herself.
Okay back to the geekery — here’s one more photo for you Apple fan-boys out there…
A little iBook, iPad and iPhone action all at the same time. And I swear I did not set up this shot — this literally just happened!
