What Really Grinds My Gears

You know what really grinds my gears? 

Image via Family Guy Wikia

Facebook. Well, social media in general, but mostly Facebook. Sure, sure, sure, I have a Facebook account... And a Twitter account... And a blog on a popular wedding website, but I enjoy having the ability to choose what is and is not posted about me on such sites. What really grinds my gears is the fact that other people can throw up a photo of me and suddenly the whole world knows exactly where I am and what I'm doing. 

Unless you received an invitation in the mail or read this blog the Coyote wedding might as well not exist. Mr. Coyote and I are very private people and we keep most of the details about our personal lives (including our wedding) off the interwebs. Oh sure I tell the hive every stinking little wedding planning detail here, but it's semi-anonymous and I can hide behind this cute little coyote avatar. When those who are not invited ask questions about my wedding the most they will get out of me is that it's "this summer". My Facebook updates are minimal and usually consist of photos of my cat:

I actually really enjoy using social media sites (as long as I am in control of what is being posted). There is just something very disconcerting about not having control over content of myself that is published on the net. Especially when it comes to such intimate and private moments as a wedding ceremony or a first dance. Now I don't have a problem with people posting pictures of our wedding on Facebook or even tagging us in them, but I do have a problem with photos of Mr. Coyote and I floating around Facebook just mere minutes after we are pronounced husband and wife. I can't put my finger on exactly why it bothers me, but it just seems so... intrusive to me. We carefully selected our guest list and now strangers all over the web (and "mutual friends" who were not invited for one reason or another) are peering into our wedding almost in real-time and without our consent.

I understand that we are in an age when technology and social media are just the way of the world (I myself am guilty of rolling out of bed in the morning and scrolling through twitter updates) but is nothing sacred anymore?

This is mostly a gripe and I have come to terms with the fact that there is no solution (you know, aside from banning cell phones and hiring a TSA agent to give everyone pat downs before their enter our venue). Sure, we could ask our guests to refrain from posting photos of us until after the wedding, but I have yet to find a tactful way to make such a request. And it's sad to say, but I know that certain friends and family members would not respect our wishes for privacy even if we did make some sort of announcement.

Instead, I'm trying to look on the bright side. Professional photos often takes months to come in so hopefully Mr. Coyote and I will be able to scroll through some guest photos while we're on the way to airport. I guess that would be cool. (I'm really trying to be okay with this you guys, I swear.)

Does anyone else think about how social media will affect the privacy and intimacy of their wedding? Or do I just need a reality check? ;-)