I think they are ridiculous.  As a member of many different wedding related Facebook groups, I see multiple posts a day “Need help with my hashtag…”.  It’s gets so crazy that a lot of groups only allow hashtag posts on certain days…”Hashtag Wednesdays” (which is so futile since the “rules” are not likely to be remembered when posting).  There are a ton of hashtag generators out there!  Ridiculous, I say.

Let me rephrase that, I think creating some cutesy, catchy name is ridiculous.  However, having a # is a must.  Now, you can take or leave my thoughts.  That is what is so nice about a your own blog – it is your own thoughts.  I highly suggest one for self therapy.

There is a perfect real-life example of crazy hashtags.  See the story of college student, Steven Kleinschmid who in a Twitter post, apologized to his future wife about coming up with an easy hashtag.  This led to a trending discussion and hilarious suggestions such as #GetLitWithKleinschmidt, #holykleinschmidtweregettingmarried, and #DoingItforKleinschmidtandGiggles.  Why, oh why, couldn’t #[instert bride’s first name] Steven2017 have been pondered before the subject got ridiculously off topic with “Kleinschmidt change is real icebergs are melting at alarming rates“.  I guess then it wouldn’t have gone viral at the assuming delight of Steven.

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

Seriously, hashtags are an absolute must for three reasons:

1. You’ll get the feel of your wedding with all your guests candid photos so much more than posed photos will.  I just love captured joy.  Can’t say that enough.

2. It gives guests an excuse to be on social media during the event (hopefully not during the ceremony!). We know they will be on their cell phone anyway, this just lends it to be guilt-free. Why is this a reason? More relaxed guests = a more memorable, fun time.

3.  A hashtag makes it much easier for you to find the photos.  If you have 100 guests, chances are 30 of them have a Facebook page and may share.  It would take you a while to go on each of their pages if they didn’t tag you to find your wedding photos.  Who knows, your ultimate favorite photo could be that one your cousin shared on Instagram and didn’t tag you.  Of course, you would eventually see it, but likely weeks later when you have a moment to breath.  However, if you are anything like me, you’ll be scrolling through these pics while sitting on a sandy Aruba beach on your honeymoon.

This would be me, but with a phone in my hand….and not soaking in the sun, but trying to block it from my screen.

Photo by Rebeca G Souza from Pexels

Basic hashtag names are what guests will remember.  Julie Williams gets married to Michael Hill (totally made up names), hashtag should be #WilliamsHill. If doing this makes your hashtag too long (i.e. #WilliamsWolfeschlegelsteinhausenbergerdorff – yes, that is a real surname), just use first names – #JulieMichael2019.  Keep in mind that there will likely be multiple events with the same hashtag.  However, filtering through them is really no big deal – unless it’s just way too basic.  You don’t want to filter through 50 with the same hashtag as yours.  Also this, if your surname is uncommon like mine, simply #theMaszczaks is effective.

Trust me, there will be a few frustrated guests that will want to post pics the next day and don’t want to have to search for your perfectly sounding hashtag.  Even if you have it plastered everywhere.  The “social media challenged” will likely not remember or know how to even find it after the fact.  Even during the event, some may not know even how to use it.  Bless these souls.  I even admire them.  I wish at times we could revert back to a period with no social media, but then again, I wouldn’t be sharing this freely on here if we did.

Although capitalization doesn’t really matter for posting purposes, it makes it more readable and not left for interpretation.  Refer to the hashtag #nowthatcherisdead.  This trended years ago when Margaret Thatcher passed.  Although, many Twitterers (is that a word now?) thought Cher was gone and not Margaret.  “Now Thatcher is dead” is very different from “Now that Cher is dead.”  Honestly, I think Cher will be kicking around long after us all.  Side note:  I mean no disrespect to Margaret Thatcher.

Inform your guests by including the hashtag on your wedding invitations.  No need to explain on those, just simply #WilliamsHill at the bottom is fine.  Explaining is done in other ways such as on your wedding website (like The Knot) and on table signs.

Table signs should read something like this:  “Share Our Joy!  Please use the hashtag #WilliamsHill when sharing pictures on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram“.  Keep it simple.  No need to spend money on custom printed signs and fancy frames.  Card stock from your own printer is fine folded in half.  You don’t want to take away from your beautiful centerpieces anyway.

Also, your own introductory post on the different media outlets is a good idea.

On Twitter, Facebook and Instagram post something like “Michael and I are so excited to get married on Saturday.  In order to capture our wedding joy with our loved ones, please use the hashtag #WilliamsHill when posting on social media.  Add the hashtag in the initial post or in the comments.  We would love to see all of your photos!  See you then!“

As a perfect example, see my hashtag for this blog.  Click on links below to see search results for #yardsaleweddings (a little self advertising doesn’t hurt)…
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter (brand new for me)

HAPPY HASHTAGGING!

Image credit:  yourchantz on Pixabay