Hey ladies, I'm so back and fourth with this one. I keep saying I want the first time my fiance sees me to be when I walk down the isle but then so many people are telling me that it's so much better to take pictures before. What did you all do? If you took pictures before do you think your husbands felt the same way when he saw you for the first time as he did when you were walking down the isle?
MrsH1156
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Re: Pictures before or after?
Hi. We were wrestling with the same dilemma for a while. We've decided to see each other before the ceremony for a few reasons:
1. We're getting married at the same place we're having our reception 2. FH and I would like to enjoy our cocktail hour 3. I think it will calm both of our nerves a lot!
I was hung up on having him see me for the first time walking down the aisle until someone pointed out to me the fact that the walk takes about 30 seconds where seeing each other beforehand will allow us to really enjoy that moment in relative privacy.
sunshine1813
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Re: Pictures before or after?
We are taking pic's after the church. We didn't want to see eachother before. We are paying the limo driver $250 for one extra hour. We made it so that we have 3 hours in between so that we have plenty of time to take pic's and still make it to enjoy cocktail hour.
BRod-Cheng
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Re: Pictures before or after?
We got married and had our reception all in one place. We decided to take pictures before so that we would not miss our cocktail hour, or be distubred during the reception.
It truly was the best decision that we made. Our ceremony was at 12:30. Pictures started at 10:00. We were done by 11:45 which gave everyone time to relax before the ceremony.
Once the ceremony was over we were able to enjoy our ENTIRE cocktail hour and reception. Believe me the day goes by fast enough as it is. Once the ceremony is over and the music is playing you are going to want to party and celebrate. You don't want to constantly stop celebrating so that you can touch up your make up, find all of your family, and then pose for dozens of pictures.
Just my opinion. HTH.
ETA: If you are concernced about the first time you see eachother, you needn't worry so much. Your photographer and videographer will make sure that it is a special moment and that you don't jsut bump into eachother. Everything will be caught on film.
With that said. It is your wedding day, and it only happens once. Don't do anything that you are going to regret just because it is going to save you time.
ant n tilde
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Re: Pictures before or after?
i dont know how much my opinion counts since i am still not married. . .
BUT all the weddings i have been to ( family and friends) that moment . . . when the bride walks down the aisle and the groom sees her for the first time - just 'makes' the wedding.
it is a moment shared between two people but everyone that loves them gets to witness it
i have been picturing that moment. . . .when the church doors open - since i was a little girl. . . and it is the moment i am the most excited about - except for the moment when we become officially man and wife!
On the other hand. . . i have so much time btw my ceremony and CH that i am not faced with your tough decision
AND no one on here has ever regretted seeing him before hand. . . .
wow i probably just made your decision worse. . .sorry. . . tryihng to help here!
69
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Re: Pictures before or after?
i didnt want him to see me, we are taking them after.. I know we won't have as much time, but I feel it's a tradition that I would like to keep.
It's a personal decision I suppose. Are you more practical or traditional?
BJandDan
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Re: Pictures before or after?
BEFORE!!!!!!!!!!!! You can get so much done and with the day FLYING by, it really helps!
evnme
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Re: Pictures before or after?
we took our pics b4 the ceremony. we staged a 1st seeing of eachother and the photog and video got our reactions.
Keywi231
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We are doing before otherwise we lose the sunlight...
bethnsul2000
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Re: Pictures before or after?
We are doing ours after...we don't want to see each other before...
krispyc
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We're so crunched for time either way so we're waiting until after. I really don't want to see him beforehand. I trust my photographer to keep things moving along. If we don't end up making it to the cocktail hour, it's ok.
chapel06
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Re: Pictures before or after?
We are waiting until after the ceremony. I am not a traditional person, but this was the one thing I felt I wanted. We will be crunched for time, but we are going to straight to the reception hall to take pictures there so we should make most of the cocktail hour. I think it depends on your timeline for the day, because while it maybe nice for your FH to see you for the first time walking down the aisle, you dont want to miss out on pictures you will cherish forever either.
LaurenluvsTJ
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Re: Pictures before or after?
We took pics before, and it was amazing!! The first time we saw each other, we got to take time to talk to each other, hug, and have our own private moment... When I walked down the aisle, the moment was unforgettable. DH saw me and I could see the love and astonishment in his eyes. I also think we were so much more relaxed for the ceremony because we had already seen each other. I would definitely recommend doing this. Whenever this question is asked, I have NEVER seen anyone who saw each other before say they regretted it.
soontobemrsv
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Re: Pictures before or after?
absolutely reccommend seeing each other before. Dh and I had our private moment and the way that it was set on the beach up was so special to us. We got to see each other for the first time, just us, not a huge crowd. dH told me that even though he saw me bfore the ceremony there was still that feeling of watching me walk down the aisle that took his breath away. we were able to enjoy cocktail hour with all our family and friends.
karen6474
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Re: Pictures before or after?
well i think it depends if you're having a church ceremony or the ceremony at your reception. I say if you're having it at the church- i would do pictures after b/c you have alot of time after the mass through the cocktail hour and if u have it at your reception, i would do it b4 b/c u dont to miss want to miss cocktail hour.
Goldi1021
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Re: Pictures before or after?
We did it before mainly because we had to - we are Jewish. The first moment that we saw each other was wonderful and private and all ours. It wasnt until a couple of hours later, after all of the family pictures and BP pictures that we had our actual ceremony. The sanctuary was filled with people and music and pageantry - it was like an entirely different experience and I still had PLENTY of emotion to generate even MORE tears than I did 2 hours before. The first moment was about us. the second moment reminded us that it was a joining of two families and their friends. If it helps, just think of a wedding that way.
dbleplay17
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Re: Pictures before or after?
we did it after and we were fine. It depends on what you want. I did miss my cocktail hour but i didnt plan on going anyway I wanted to be announced at the reception before we talked to people
I was introduced to the cocktail hour by boat then i took family pics then i was in my bridal suite. I wouldnt change that part.
I wanted my DH to see me walking down the aisle as the first time...but that was my preference
it is up to you
beautyq115
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Re: Pictures before or after?
We did them after...I am really traditional..BUT I must say some of the ladies who did them before and posted pics of their FIs seeing them for the first time made me cry...I think that captures the moment so much better...JMO
Happybride2005
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Re: Pictures before or after?
we did them after the ceremony and i wouldn't change anything. it just means so much more for the groom to see the bride for the first time when she's walking down the aisle
petunia77
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Re: Pictures before or after?
we did the pictures beforehand and it was a very special moment. while we were getting ready, i was so excited to see him, that i think i would have been really nervous before the ceremony if we had not had the chance to reassure each other. during the ceremony, i still felt that the moment i saw him at the end of the aisle was really special.
