Pictures before the wedding- thoughts????

Hi again.

I am having my ceremony and reception all in one location, so naturally my Banquet Manager suggested to take pictures beforehand so that we could enjoy the cocktail hour that we are paying for. I think it is a good idea, but at the same time I want to see the look on his face when I walk down the aisle for the first time.

How many of you are doing pictures before hand and how do you feel about it?

Another alternative was to let him get a head start on taking pictures beforehand and we would take the remainder afterwards.

Please let me know your thoughts and suggestions.

Thanks.

Re: Pictures before the wedding- thoughts????

I am in the same situation and what we're planning to do is to do as many pictures - family, bridal party separately as possible and then do the rest right after the ceremony. We also extended the cocktail hour an additional 15 mins.

Re: Pictures before the wedding- thoughts????

This is a very personal decision so you have to decide using your own priorities.

However - we took pictures before hand and instead of having one very special and emotional moment, I had two. I cried at both meetings (and I NEVER cry!). Not only that - we looked our best for photos, never had to interrupt the party and got to enjoy every moment of our party.

Re: Pictures before the wedding- thoughts????

Fi and I were both fairly against this when I first thought about it. But after hearing so many people say how awesome it is, I think we have decided that is what we are going to do. We are having ceremony and reception at the same place too, and although here we get a full hour extra for the ceremony (other places had told us 1/2 hour tacked on) and they said the ceremony won't take the full hour, I think I'd rather enjoy as much of my party as possible. We just spoke to our banquet manager the other day and he said the photographers are happy to do this cause it makes their day easier - they don't have to worry about trying to keep the bridal party together. And also what I really like, is at least for us, where our wedding won't be till around 5 or 6, we will have something to keep us busy and it spreads the day out more. I'm afraid it's going to go by too fast. Also, like Stef said, you get to have two moments instead of one.

Re: Pictures before the wedding- thoughts????

Our ceremony & reception are at the same place also. We are planning to take as many pics as possible before the wedding. I hope that like Stef, I get to have 2 special moments

Re: Pictures before the wedding- thoughts????

We are taking pictures before hand but the photographer will make sure our first meeting is special and not with everyone around.

Re: Pictures before the wedding- thoughts????

It is defintly a personal choice and I fought with it too but I think we are going to do pics before hand as well! Thanks to alot of peoples posts here I feel better about it and think it will be a nice relaxed way to get our shots and then get to enjoy the cocktail hour (which is my favorite room ) Good Luck with your decison and I am sure no matter what you decide you will have beautiful pictures!!

Re: Pictures before the wedding- thoughts????

Thankyou guys.

I am happy to hear of your success with doing pics beforehand.

I will think of it some more, and let you know my decision. I do have 11 months to decide.

Thanks again.

Re: Pictures before the wedding- thoughts????

We saw each other before hand...and I loved that it was such a personal moment...rather than something displayed for all our guests...but I am a private person and pretty untraditional...so it worked out for us...

Re: Pictures before the wedding- thoughts????

if you have a GOOD photographer, they can capture that moment and make it very special. We did not want to do this, but we had time between the ceremony and reception. If there was no time, I would have done it before. Make sure you explain to your photog. what you want. He should take a picture of FH's face right as you enter the room, or right was you turn around....good luck!

Re: Pictures before the wedding- thoughts????

We are doing pics before, and I think for us it will be more personal to see him before the ceremony because he can tell me exactly what he thinks at that very moment and he doesn't have to hold anything back because there is a priest in front of us...
The photographer and vidoegrapher will set it up just as if we are walking into the church, I really can't wait...

Re: Pictures before the wedding- thoughts????

I didn't ask the question but I I just wanted to say that you ladies are the best. I had not decided either way but was a little concerned about us seeing each other before the ceremony. Everyone made such good points that I had not considered before. I'm also a very private person and I think may even be better this way. Anyway, thank you for all your input. It helps so much. I love this site.

Re: Pictures before the wedding- thoughts????

I second that!!!!!

Re: Pictures before the wedding- thoughts????

Idealy I'm sure if we had more than just a few hours to spend with our guests we would all opt for Not seeing each other before the ceremony, but that is not the case.
I do not want to spend my whole cocktail hour taking pictures. I want to spend every possible minute with my family and friends. From what I hear, the day 'fly's' by.
My photographer is going to create a special moment for us to see each other.
My fi says that he will still feel just as emotional seeing me also walking down the isle, even though he had seen me already.
Everyone is going to feel differently about this...
Nobody is right or wrong..
Also, I was thnking, it's not just you and your fi missing your cocktail hour.. it's dragging all your family and bridal party away from a fun time too.
jmo

Re: Pictures before the wedding- thoughts????

We are going to do our photos before because I want to be there for my cocktail hour. We aren't very traditional so it wasn't a concern for us. I think there are many special and unique ways for your FH to first see you while still having a special moment at the ceremony.