Ok, ladies...please give me your honest opinions, pros & cons on...
seeing FH before the ceremony for photos...
for those who saw FH before, did you feel like you ruined the 'moment' before walking down the aisle? did you feel it was worth it? how did you do your 'intros' ?
and for those who didn't see FH, do you feel that moment of seeing him at the end of the aisle, was all it was cracked up to be? and did you regret, time-wise that you didn't take photos before?
thanks in advance! Ive been having a hard time deciding what to do and I hope your real experiences will help!
FutureMrsG
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Re: Question for the newlweds!
The moment of seeing DH standing at the end of the asile waiting for me was everything I imagined and more. It was my favorite part of our wedding day...I can not describe the happiness and emotion of seeing him waiting at the alter. For me I never considered taking pictures before the wedding mass.
Lisa909
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I never, ever considered seeing DH before our ceremony.....we talked during the day but when it was such an amazing feeling to see him at the end of the aisle for the first time all day!
ETA: we had more then enough time for pics in btwn church and ch...we were at our entire CH
vnv126
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I saw Fh before the ceremony . We always agree that we want to enjoy the cocktail hour with our guests so therefore we take pics before the ceremony.
When I saw FH down the aisle, I didn't feel it was ruined. It was emotional for both of us. We just want to enjoy the cocktail hour with our guests & family & friends rather than spending time taking pictures outside ! We didn't regret anything !
Just Cindy
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Seeing eachother before the ceremony was the best decision we made. It was a special moment between DH and I and it did not ruin seeing him at the end of the aisle during our ceremony. We got alot of our pictures done beforehand and we got to enjoy our CH and reception fully without having to worry about getting the pictures. I would do it again in a heartbeat and with the intros at the reception we still did them like any other wedding because we still were being introduced to our guests as husband and wife officially.
it is truly a personal decision that you and your FH should agree on.
julesrbf
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Posted by Just Cindy
Seeing eachother before the ceremony was the best decision we made. It was a special moment between DH and I and it did not ruin seeing him at the end of the aisle during our ceremony. We got alot of our pictures done beforehand and we got to enjoy our CH and reception fully without having to worry about getting the pictures. I would do it again in a heartbeat and with the intros at the reception we still did them like any other wedding because we still were being introduced to our guests as husband and wife officially.
it is truly a personal decision that you and your FH should agree on.
ITA, Cindy. I feel exactly the same!
GT143EA
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Re: Question for the newlweds!
I saw DH before the ceremony and I dont regret it one bit. We met at the beach where we were taking photos. The photog had him turn his back to me and I snuck up on him and tapped him on the shoulder. When he saw me he cried. It was amazing! Then when I walked down the aisle again we both cried. I dont think seeing him before took anything away from the emotions we felt that day. And we got to spend even more time together which was awesome! Here is a pic of us seeing each other for the first time:
LoveyDovey
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thanks ladies! i feel better about my decision!
gina409
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we didnt see each other b4 but we had a large gap in between so we had plenty of time to take pics and go to ch
if u want to go to ch and this takes u away then do the pics b4..do what suits u guys best
little34
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Re: Question for the newlweds!
We saw one another first and that first meeting is just as special and awesome. We got to spend way more time together and enjoy everything more. We got married at our hall so we got to see our room together before hand and we really did enjoy our CH...I think it also made the ceremony less nerve racking....but seeing him as I walked down the aisle was just as special too...we both had butterflies...
here is a pic that our friend took...its a bit grainy....of our first meet...it is me walking up to him and he has his back to me...it was so dramatic!!!
see each other before the ceremony was the best decision we made. I was so relax i am very emotional i was worried that was going to cry like their is no tomorrow. his reactioin when he saw me for the first time was just as special and we had our own special just us when we saw each other beforehand. Also we wanted to make sure we enjoyed every moment of our wedding including CK with our guest!!
I tried to attach pics of us seeing each other beforehand
The moment the church doors opened and I saw DH for the first time was absolutely incredible.
That being said, you have to decide what's right for the two of you. If you feel like you will be rushed on your wedding day, I would definitely see each other beforehand.
springsandra
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Re: Question for the newlweds!
We did all our photos beforehand and I'm really glad we did because it was wonderful to spend our entire wedding with our friends and family celebrating. I didn't feel like our wedding ceremony was compromised in any way at all by seeing each other first.
We had a big 'reveal' at the hotel in the morning where DH waiting at the foot of the steps in the lobby and I came down the stairs. The photographers captured it, too. It was really sweet.
We had stayed at the hotel together the night before the wedding since DH lived OOT and I lived too far from the RH. The big reveal was just wonderful, though, and I remember being so so happy and it being more of a private moment (even though some of our friends and family were there).
You really have to do what works for you and what you will be happy with. There's no such thing as wedding day regrets -- it's going to be the most spectacular day of your lives!
klsnyc805
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I was really torn about this too...but in the end I am so glad we saw each other before the ceremony. We got to take sooo many amazing pictures with Thomas Paul and we would have been rushed if we tried to squeeze it in during CH. The 'reveal' of seeing each other for the first time that day was just as special, and got it on camera/video (which I can't wait to see). The photographer arranged everything and it was a private moment (no friends/family)...I don't regret it at all! We were still emotional at the ceremony but the pressure was off at that point and we got to focus on our vows.
MrsDrinkh20
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Complete agree with all of the girls that saw DH before the ceremony...BEST decision ever!
MLAngelo
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The moment DH locked eyes with me going down the aisle, seeing me for the first time, was the best moment of my entire life. I would never have given that up. It was so important to me to honor tradition and not see each other the day of our wedding until my dad was walking me down the aisle. It was worth it. I know the girls who did see DH first said it was the same, but I personally don't think it would have been. For me every wedding I love seeing the reaction of the groom to seeing his bride for the first time. I think its something that is more sentimental when shared with your friends and family. I know my mom wouldn't have wanted to miss it for the world.
But thats my opinion.
MrsCM
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I couldn't be happier that I saw DH before the ceremony.
1. It calmed me 2. It calmed him 3. We got awesome photos that we wouldn't have been able to get solely with cocktail hour or afterwards 4. Anything that came up that morning we handled TOGETHER instead of having it fall on one person or the other 5. Whereas I was worried it would take away from the moment, I think the experience of getting ready together added something. 6. I think you still have the wow factor coming down the aisle because it's such a shocking moment
Tomlaur0808
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Posted by MLAngelo
The moment DH locked eyes with me going down the aisle, seeing me for the first time, was the best moment of my entire life. I would never have given that up. It was so important to me to honor tradition and not see each other the day of our wedding until my dad was walking me down the aisle. It was worth it. I know the girls who did see DH first said it was the same, but I personally don't think it would have been. For me every wedding I love seeing the reaction of the groom to seeing his bride for the first time. I think its something that is more sentimental when shared with your friends and family. I know my mom wouldn't have wanted to miss it for the world.
But thats my opinion.
We were the same way - but both DH & I are VERY traditional when it comes to things like this. So I say if you're not a strict traditionalist - go with your gut. But the butterflies I had in my stomach, pulling up to the church, walking into the church, up the steps - to see DH trying to hold back the tears in his eyes....it was beyond magical & if we had to do it all over again - we wouldnt change a thing - we'd do it the same exact way again.
