Photos before ceremony

What are your thoughts on photos before the ceremony? I think it will cut down on possible chaos between ceremony and reception. Photos to me are very important and I want to be certain I get alot of photos. Plus, I'd like everyone in the bridal party to enjoy the whole cocktail hour.

Please let me know your opinions! Thanks.

GOOD LUCK!

Great! Absolutely! Whenever we set up the day to get all the posed pictures done before the ceremony, everything flows more smoothly + a good time is had by all. Go for it!

Please let me know your opinions! Thanks.

GOOD LUCK!

A lot of photographers do this now. I had someone refuse to do my wedding because I wouldn't see my fiance before my ceremony. When it comes to tradition, I'm not doing much, but this is one tradition I'm not breaking on. Wedding is about marriage and to save time, or for a photographer to refuse to do it because it makes his time a little more involved depleats the purpose of why we are doing this in the first place. This is about marriage, not all the glitz and glamour. Just my opinion. Everyone has the right to their choice. I personally don't want my fiance to see me until I walk down that isle.

Apparently there is a resort on Negril, Jamaica called Swept Away. Our travel agent has recommended it. Does anyone know anything about this particular resort? The web page looks really nice.....

Kate, That's fine! Many photographers take an hour or two to do all the posed portraits, + so it is a big convenience for everyone to do the portraits before. (We are able to do all the portrait combinations in 15-30 minutes if we have to. We can work very quickly when there is a time problem.) Also, that feeling of seeing each other coming up the aisle really does seem like the first time you're seeing each other, no matter what happened an hour earlier. Anyway, it is certainly a good option for those who would like to.

Good luck, Mark

its in Negril, Jamaica

Mark & Kate, Thanks very much for the feedback. I have talked to co-workerd who had the photos done before and he said the moment his bride walked down the aisle was still special b/c of everything else going on at that moment. It could not not be special. So I think we are going to do it. Thanks again! Lisa

HAS ANYONE BEEN LOOKING AT A HALL FOR A SUNDAY NIGHT IN THE SPRING OR SUMMER? CAN YOU PLEASE TELL ME WHERE AND WHAT THE THE AVERAGE COST PER PERSON WAS WITH TAX AND GRATUITIES.

Would you mind telling me the pice range for the bridesmaid dresses? Two of my girls are on a tight budget...Thanks a lot,

Lisa, My fiancee & I have opted to take our pictures before the ceremony. To me, and this is just personal opinion, it doesn't matter if he sees me for the first time at the ceremony or before the ceremony. Either way, the day is going to be special. We felt strongly that we wanted to be able to enjoy the cocktail hour. Also, we're not doing the traditional receiving line and thought the cocktail would be a good time to circulate the room.

I am looking for places to take photos for my April 2001 wedding. What is the deal with the Westbury Gardens? I have never been there?

Thanks, Lisa

Lorraine, I feel the same way. It's going to be a special day, so it won't matter. Also, I think the bridal party will be much happier with this setup.

Another idea for the receiving line is the married couple going back up the aisle at the end of the ceremony and greeting each guest aisle by aisle. The guests can sit comfortably and chat while the people in the rows in front of them are talking to us.

Lisa

We're having our ceremony & reception at the reception hall. The ceremony is outdoors and guests will be led directly into cocktail hour. We may stand just inside the door of cocktail hour and greet the guests then. But we won't be having the traditonal receiving line.

Lisa

That sounds beautiful!Enjoy!

Kate, Don't worry I will be with you guys until the end!! I am about to loose my mind!! And at the same time I am having the time of my life! I have only 26 days left and everything is going as well as can be expected. We did the finals at the hall over the weekend, and tomorrow we go over the final arrangements with the DJ, Video, and Florist! This weekend I have my hair trial, and another fitting. Seating has been a PIP to say the least, why do people believe that they do NOT have to send in their RSVP's by the date indicated??? I was so organized and did not believe that I would be running around like this at the last minute!! But I also have a little advise, leave yourself plenty of free time at the end you will need it! Also I do not know if they all do this but my hall provides the cake topper, toasting glasses and cake cutters. Good thing I waited till the last minute on this one, I am not having a cake topper because it does not really go with my cake, and I think that I have enough keepsakes from the wedding so I will use their toasting glasses and cake cutter, besides it saves a few bucks.

Jamelle

I stressed to my photog that i will not take pics prior to the ceremony w/ my fiance...but I was ALSO worried about the timing of everything. Our ceremony is in the gardens of the reception. So, we have some tight planning...especially since we cannot leave later...and even pay for the additional time...since there will be a wedding after us. So, Solution: 2 camera crews. One for me and the girls/fam shooting those pics prior to the ceremony. Crew #2 shoots the guys and the shots of the room/garden.

Same 2 crews shoot the wedding- for that irreplaceable shot of Rob's face when I come down the aisle.

Same 2 crews shooting the group shots and those of rob & I together.

Phyllis,

That's a great idea. My only concern is cost. Is it much more to have 2 crews??

Lisa

Yes, it is bit more. But I lucked out...my future FIL used to own his own biz - woodworking - and he would provide materials to mount pics to the photogs. One of his old clients was still in the ebiz- 20 years later- and is very highly regarded. And photog is one of many hobbies of my fi- SO we all went to meet with him...the guys asked the technical ?'s and I viewed full shoots- not just the albums. He suggested the 2nd crew and gave us a fair price. I am confident that I am not going to worry about his professionalism...or his bedside manner either. Belive me, the additional cost was worth it to me. I cut corners in other areas.

That's a great idea. My only concern is cost. Is it much more to have 2 crews??

Lisa