HELP! Don't know what to do

JoyceJack Posted: Nov 23, 2005 01:19 AM

HELP! Don't know what to do

I'm having my cermony and reception at the Tall Grass Country Club. We don't want to miss our cocktail hour and we want to capture many photos as we can. We would love to go to sound beach only 10 mins away. The BM said many brides meet up with the groom before the cermony to take photos, so they can enjoy the day. WHat should I do????

October Bliss Posted: Nov 23, 2005 01:39 AM

Re: HELP! Don't know what to do

Only you can answer this question. Every bride has different feelings on the groom seeing her before she comes down the aisle. It is a very personal decision, and one you need to think about for yourself. I suggest writing out the pros and cons of each and weighing the importance of each.

Personally, I moved my ceremony to a location other than my reception hall so I could have my moment coming down the aisle, AND have cocktail hour. But, I had the option of holding my ceremony 3 hours earlier than originally planned at another location. (although it took some effort to convince FH)

Mrs. dleeny Posted: Nov 23, 2005 07:36 AM

Re: HELP! Don't know what to do

we got married at our hall as well and spent 3 hours before the ceremony for pictures. we absolutely did the right thing! our photographer took 400 GORGEOUS pictures in those 3 hours. you can't have too many proofs from your wedding.

definitely go there well before the ceremony if you can.

ShortBride Posted: Nov 23, 2005 08:38 AM

Re: HELP! Don't know what to do

We did photos before and some during the CH hour (we went to about half of it). It was a great choice for us, but we were going to see each other anyway (since we are Jewish and have to sign the Ketubah prior to the ceremony).

smurray Posted: Nov 23, 2005 09:47 AM

Re: HELP! Don't know what to do

Maybe you should go ahead and take pics before the ceremony. FH, and I don;t want to see eachother until walking down, so both parties will take their pics before the ceremony, then we wil take ours after. That way we have time to make our CH. If not for all atleast for the last 10-20mins of it
Good luck

LaurenluvsTJ Posted: Nov 23, 2005 09:59 AM

Re: HELP! Don't know what to do

We are taking ours before the ceremony.

MJDoc12 Posted: Nov 23, 2005 10:36 AM

Re: HELP! Don't know what to do

FH and i are in a similiar situation. we are getting married at our catering hall so we'll be having ceremony at 11 a.m., and CH will start at 12 and reception at 1 p.m. so the only way for us to do pics is during CH. we decided to stay at the same hotel the nite before the big day, with our BP members, and that way everyone can get ready together (but guys in their room, girls in mine), and all the BP will take pics before the ceremony...and he will join the pics with his GM and my BMs, and then he will be sent off to his room for a little while, and at that time i will take pics with his GMs and my BMs. Then his BP will go ahead to the hall, and I will take a few more shots with family and OOT guests, and then we will go ahead to the hall. That way, we'll just have to do some romantic shots and such during the CH.

Personally, I'm okay will missing some or all of the CH, because I'd much rather just be announced for the first time during the reception. But that's just my personal choice. I'm sure all of the above sounds like a lot, just to make sure we don't see each other before the ceremony.....but I truly want the first time he's gonna see me, to be the moment the doors open and my father is walking me down the aisle.

RadioLau Posted: Nov 23, 2005 10:57 AM

Re: HELP! Don't know what to do

We had the same concern at first but fortunately we were able to plan our wedding to have time in between. You can have the BM and you do all your pics together before and the groom and his guys do his pics together and then only have to do the together pics after the ceremony if you really don't want to see each other first. My FI was totally against seeing me before. I guess if you are both fine with it you can do it that way.

BklynItaliana Posted: Nov 23, 2005 11:02 AM

Re: HELP! Don't know what to do

i would suggest doing pictures before the ceremony

nov06 Posted: Nov 23, 2005 12:05 PM

Re: HELP! Don't know what to do

We are doing ours before the ceremony. That way we'll be able to make the cocktail hour and greet our guests then instead of going around to all the tables during the reception.

otherme Posted: Nov 23, 2005 01:34 PM

Re: HELP! Don't know what to do

We took them before and it was the best decision we made.
I personally didn't mind if he saw me before the ceremony. Even though we'd seen each other for 3 hours before the ceremony for pictures - the look on both of our faces when walking down the aisle was priceless. All i can say is that the intense emotion when you actually are walking towards him and when he looks at you will be so great that it wouldn't have mattered if we were both wearing a sack. If he hadn't seen me before i can't imagine the look or love being any stronger.
I know it sounds corny, but its true!

The pro's to taking pics beforehand were that we were able to fully enjoy our cocktail hour - and most importantly we spent that time going around and greeting all our guests, so during the reception we were able to party and enjoy ourselves because we had gotten that all out of the way.

I recommend taking pics before if you can!

BHW Posted: Nov 23, 2005 02:10 PM

Re: HELP! Don't know what to do

I'm so glad we took pics before the ceremony. We never would've had as many pics if we only took them after the ceremony. We were able to enjoy the cocktail hour and reception without having to worrry about taking asdditional formal pics. DH and I also went to the arboretum before the ceremony. We had our private moment of seeing each other for the first time there. I really wanted to take pics at the arboretum and we couldn't have taken those unless we took pics before the ceremony. Seeing DH before the ceremony kept me calm. I enjoyed spending the entire day with him. Walking down the aisle was just as emotional or meaningful as it would've been had we not seen each other beforehand.