Photos Before Ceremony

I need advice please...
We're doing our ceremony at the ssame place as reception. We were advised to do pics before the whole ceremony thing. I didn't want to go this way at first, but now it seems like the way to go. I really don't know what to do. I was kinda set on seeing FH at the altar, but it's not a church or a traditional wedding in any sense so...Who else is doing this pics before? Any hesitation or reservations? What do most people do? Thanks all

Re: Photos Before Ceremony

I'm taking pics before the ceremony. It never occurred to me not to. I want to be at my CH and I want the BP to be there too. I also don't want to feel rushed with the photos. I don't think its a big deal if the first time he sees me is before the actual ceremony.

Re: Photos Before Ceremony

We have decided to do pictures before. Both FI and I wanted to wait and see each at the ceremony for the first time but our photographer said that moment frequently gets very rushed. He said it's possible to set up a first time moment for the photos that is almost as special. Then we will have more time with our guests at the actual wedding.

Re: Photos Before Ceremony

We did our pictures before (but we also spent the morning together in our house, getting ready, etc). I will say it made me very relaxed - *almost* like it was any other day.

I did get dressed behind closed doors and photogs/video caught the first moment he laid eyes on me ...

Re: Photos Before Ceremony

We're getting married at our hall and are doing pictures beforehand for a few reasons: 1) so we don't miss our cocktail hour and spending time with our guests 2) so we can enjoy taking pictures and won't be rushed and 3) b/c seeing him beforehand will calm my nerves immensely! Plus, I like the idea of having two special moments captured - seeing each other for the first time, and FH seeing me walk down the aisle.

Re: Photos Before Ceremony

I'm going half beforehand - me and my people (BMs and stuff) and him and his people and the ones with me and FI during the cocktail hour. That way, we get the best of both worlds.

Re: Photos Before Ceremony

That's so cool, I never thought of it that way. 2 special moments!!!

Re: Photos Before Ceremony

After much back and forth - I've decided that we'll take pictures before our ceremony.

I don't want to miss the entire CH and I don't want our bridal party to miss it either....

From what I've been told, we'll still feel the thrill when I walk down the 'aisle' to meet my FH!

Re: Photos Before Ceremony

We're taking pictures before the ceremony, I think. My FMIL is VERY against this. We are getting married on a Fri in Oct at 5:00. The sun starts to set at 5:52 and it will be dark by 6:20. I want pictures outside with the trees - it is the whole reason I am getting married in October so we need to move the ceremony (which I don't want to do) or take pics beforehand. I don't mind seeing my FH before the ceremony - we already live together so I don't feel it is a big deal.

Re: Photos Before Ceremony

WE live together too It's probably just easier to do it before

Re: Photos Before Ceremony

We're doing it before hand! Evryone says it takes some of the pressure off of the ceremony & this way you get to enjoy your CH!

Re: Photos Before Ceremony

I'm doing it before because it seems like the practical thing to do. I originally didn't want to because I had this 'vision' of FI seeing me for the first time and him getting all emotional and maybe even crying (I'm determined to break him--this guy NEVER cries!!!!). So for me it wasn't a 'bad luck' concern. After thinking about it, I decided I'd rather get the pictures done early while my makeup is still fresh and my hair has just been done. As for my 'vision', all the photographers we interviewed so far have said that they usually 'create' when and how we're going to see each other, so it isn't like we're going to randomly run into each other in the hallway (ugh, can you imagine?!). Also, this way, I can do a little bit of meeting & greeting during the cocktail hour so I don't have to spend as much time doing it during the reception. Hope this helps!

Re: Photos Before Ceremony

I would love to do pics before the ceremony, but because of time constraints, plus people would be arriving while we were taking pictures..I don't want EVERYONE seeing me before i walk down the aisle-

If i had time before to do the pics, I would say go for it. Make sure your photographer captures the first glance picture

Re: Photos Before Ceremony

I think it depends on personal taste.

I went to a wedding where they took pictures before the ceremony so most us got to see the bride and the bridal party before the ceremony. Some people think that it kinda took the thrill off of seeing the bride walk down the aisle - but when I asked the groom how he felt, he said it still felt like magic seeing her at the altar even though he saw her earlier.

My fiance wants the excitement of waiting to see me walk down the aisle so we'll do pics after the ceremony.

Re: Photos Before Ceremony

May I give you ladies my opinion on pictures before the ceremony?

I have been married for 30 years and the most memorable part of my ceremony was seeing my FH standing at the alter waiting for me and my dad. The glow in his face was and still is priceless.

Though times have changed through the years, this is something you'll cherish later in your lives. I know I still do.

Re: Photos Before Ceremony

I think I will remember the moment we see each other at the church just as well as you do. The whole point of all this planning is the ceremony - I hope to remember the whole thing and be happy and excited and overwhelmed by the moment. Vowing to be with someone for the rest your life is memorable on its own. Taking pictures before the ceremony won't change any of that.

Re: Photos Before Ceremony

we took pictures before and it was great - so relaxing and we didn't miss out on the day.
and no matter how much you see each other beforehand...the moment when you walk down that aisle is going to be breathtaking anyway.....that's just how it is

Re: Photos Before Ceremony

---

Posted by MomNeedsTissues

May I give you ladies my opinion on pictures before the ceremony?

I have been married for 30 years and the most memorable part of my ceremony was seeing my FH standing at the alter waiting for me and my dad. The glow in his face was and still is priceless.

Though times have changed through the years, this is something you'll cherish later in your lives. I know I still do.

---

I totally agree -- thanks for this!!

I'm doing the pics after. I wouldn't mess with this moment for anything in the world. I would reschedule the entire day (and will) to preserve this special moment.

It is a personal decision, I think. My advice to you is just don't go by your photographer on this one. Of course, he'll want to do the pics first, it's usually more convenient for them that way. I don't think I saw one photographer that didn't try to convince me to do the pics before hand. What do they care? It's not their moment. You have to remember that they are doing a job that day.

Re: Photos Before Ceremony

I have to throw in my two cents here...EVERY photographer said to do pics before hand because it was easier..easier for who? The photographer?..I didnt want to see DH until I was about to marry him and everyone worked with us..and we live together too...that has nothing to do with the magical feeling on a wedding day.....I had my pics taken with my family and bridal party, and Dh had his taken before hand, then after the wedding, we had our cocktail hour brought to us in teh chapel while pics were being taken, we were eating and drinking the whole time and it was actually very nice and we had alot of fun. Walking down that aisle and seeing Dh was so amazing to me..yes it would be great seeing each other the first time even if it were hours before, but in my opinion, for me..it was extra special to have the beautiful music playing, the candles lit and my parents walking with me and seeing him standing there, seeing his jaw drop and him saying Im beautiful...it was ALL of it that made it extra special for us. I know alot of girls on here have had their pictures taken together before hand, and it worked great for them..but if it is something that you dont really want to do...dont do it....you can make it work, without missing anything!

Re: Photos Before Ceremony

It's not just the photographer who it is 'easy' for.. it's for the bride and groom that want to actually enjoy the party they have been planning for over a year, without being rushed to take all of the pictures they want, so they don't complain afterwards that the photographer didn't get certain pictures!!!