Pictures before or after ceremony??

Original post by CourtandJon

Feb 04, 2007 11:10 PM

SUCH a big debate!!!! My FH doesn't care either way... but I am stuck!!! I was dead-set on not seeing him before the ceremony UNTIL we met with our photographer who pointed out... that in Nov all the leaves are so gorgeous and by having a night time wedding we wont be able to take any of those pics once the ceremony is done because it will be too dark...now Im torn... I want great pics but I also a little bit dont want him to see me before the ceremony... I guess it wouldn't be terrible to see him for an hour and get some great pics out of it??

eelharas4700 Posted: Feb 05, 2007 09:40 PM

Re: Pictures before or after ceremony??

we are doing everything after the ceremony....we are old fashioned and pretty traditional!

CrazyLove Posted: Feb 06, 2007 03:54 PM

Re: Pictures before or after ceremony??

we are doing ours before.

KickinDandelions Posted: Feb 06, 2007 04:19 PM

Re: Pictures before or after ceremony??

We're doing ours before. It gives us more time to spend with family and friends later on in the night

nmagel Posted: Feb 06, 2007 05:08 PM

Re: Pictures before or after ceremony??

We're doing after. I want him to see me for the first time walking down the aisle.

Autumn08 Posted: Feb 06, 2007 05:14 PM

Re: Pictures before or after ceremony??

I wanted to be more traditional and do pics after the ceremony but we are doing it at the RH with CH immediately following. We chose to do pics before because:
1. Not only will we miss the CH we may be late for the reception.
2. We will most likely doing a walk through before ceremony.
3. The photog will set up a first meeting in the gazebo for us.
4. We can take a few minutes to spend together and exchange gifts.

CourtandJon Posted: Feb 06, 2007 10:19 PM

Re: Pictures before or after ceremony??

I think the moment where we first see each other, no matter where it is, will be special

Thanks so much for your input guys!! I think we will prob end up doing the pics before, unless it's bad weather then maybe we will not be taking pics outside anyway. We'll have to see... but you def opened my eyes up to taking pics before the ceremony. thanks!

erdbeere Posted: Feb 07, 2007 06:16 AM

Re: Pictures before or after ceremony??

We were planning on doing them after, but our photographer said she really prefers doing them before, so thats what we are doing. She will set up a nice private place for us to meet and take pics of when we first see eachother and what not, then she'll leave us alone for a few minutes, then we'll do the formal portraits and then the BP will join us and we'll do pics with them.

I'm actually glad we are doing it this way now, because I think it will be so nice to have some private time when we see first see eachother because Ic an't imagine having much private time at all throughout the rest of the day. And that way we don't miss any part of our day.

malagian Posted: Feb 07, 2007 10:15 AM

Re: Pictures before or after ceremony??

i dont want any pictures before. I dont beleive in it. But its a matter of personal choice.

jackie311 Posted: Feb 07, 2007 10:19 AM

Re: Pictures before or after ceremony??

We are doing ours before the ceremony because our ceremony is at the RH and I want to go to the cocktail hour and not feel rushed.. FH is not happy about it, but he's coming around. He still has 15 months to get over it!!

Keywi231 Posted: Feb 07, 2007 10:21 AM

Re: Pictures before or after ceremony??

We did pics before the ceremony. We wanted the sun to be in our pics plus we wanted to be able to enjoy and do most of the greeting durning the CH hour. But what I did for DH seeing me before the ceremony, I had my MOHs go get DH and walk him to me and the photographer captured every facial expression. It was nice I am glad we did it that way I think it called my nerves a bit LOL.
Good luck!

melissas28 Posted: Feb 07, 2007 07:18 PM

Re: Pictures before or after ceremony??

ugh. my reply got deleted when i tried to post....

basically the reason we are doing picture before are for 2 major reasons...

This is the biggest reason for me...I read it on another post... After planning so much for the BIG day if I waited until after the ceremony to do photos I wouldn't see FH until 7pm!!!! The day is suppose to be about us becoming one, and I can't see wasting so much precious time without him on that day.

2. I think that our facial expressions will be much more emotional and authentic if there are less people around. and we would be able to share a very personal moment. I think if I waited until the ceremony I wouldn't be able to stop myself from running up to DH and hugging and kissing him.

but most importantly do what you feel most comfortable with!

VadersBride2006 Posted: Feb 07, 2007 07:48 PM

Re: Pictures before or after ceremony??

It's really up to you, but I am more traditional also and since a lot of our wedding is rather informal, I'd like to keep as much tradition as possible! Therefore, I will not be taking pics before the ceremony and we will see each other for the very first time as I am walking down the aisle....

~Lyssa~

LBride Posted: Feb 07, 2007 08:24 PM

Re: Pictures before or after ceremony??

do it before! it was the best thing we did!

jenny711 Posted: Feb 08, 2007 08:21 AM

Re: Pictures before or after ceremony??

I am having my wedding ceremony at the RH so pictures before are the only way to go(or else miss the cocktail hour). It only took me minutes, and a lil research to make a decision. The tradition of not seeing the bride B4 the wedding dates back to times of arranged marriages, where they were afraid that the groom would take one look at the bride and run off as not to marry her. Guess it kinda took some of the romance and magic out of it and made me look at things more practically.. Either way it has to be a decision you are comfortable with. Good Luck!!!!!

jasnjus Posted: Feb 08, 2007 08:37 AM

Re: Pictures before or after ceremony??

We are taking pictures before the ceremony.My fh made it very clear to me that he did not want miss the ch since we are paying for everything.

CourtandJon Posted: Feb 09, 2007 07:10 PM

Re: Pictures before or after ceremony??

Thanks guys!!! I think we will take the pics before the ceremony... FH doesn't mind either way- and I guess as long as the photog stages it so it is still special the first time we see eachother and we will still have pics from that moment, then it doesn't take away from walking down the aisle.
Thanks for all your advice!!!

madseason Posted: Feb 09, 2007 08:48 PM

Re: Pictures before or after ceremony??

Posted by cherish83

I scheduled the ceremony and reception enought time apart for pictures after the ceremony.. I had contemplated about pictures before, but im the traditional type and I want to see FHs face as i walk down the aisle

Thats what were doing! I need to see that look on his face!