Hi girls, I met with a photographer today & I absolutely LOOOOVE his work!!! I was so happy because he was available for the date of my wedding, BUT......I left his studio confused & a bit sad. I'll apologize in advance because I know this is going to be long. Here's my problem:
My FH is Jewish & I'm Christian, so because we can't get married in a church, we're having the ceremony at Jericho Terrace. So far so good. But when the photographer asked me if I was planning on taking the pics of me & FH & Bridal Party/Parents BEFORE the ceremony, I was like, 'Umm, no. We really want to see each other for the 1st time when they open the doors & my dad walks me down the aisle. I've dreamt of this since I was a little peanut. I think it takes away from the experience to meet before the ceremony & start posing for pictures. He has me worried because he's done weddings there with both the ceremony & Rec. & it turns out to be too hectic because at Jericho Terrace, there's more than 1 bride at a time, and he said he ALWAYS runs into trouble there. I don't want to ruin our wedding day, but we don't want to see each other before the ceremony.
Please give me some advice ladies. Has anyone ever had their ceremony & reception at JT? AND, has anyone ever ran into problems while taking pictures there? I can't even sleep, I'm so upset.
EvenEdan
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Re: SO SAD, PLEASE HELP! Would you take pics BEFORE?
Okay, keep in mind this is coming from a bride who was insistent on not seeing my about-to-be husband until we met at the altar. The idea of seeing eachother before church was brought up to me by my photographer as well because I got married in late November and didn't have a lot of daylight for outdoor pics, but I wasn't willing to consider it. Looking back now, I can honestly say I should have done what my photographer suggested. First of all, I was so overwhelmed and emotional while walking down the aisle and saw a sea of faces staring at me that I couldn't even focus on what was happening and the whole thing was a blurr right after it happened. I think it would have been just as special if not more so and it would have been more of a personal and intimate experience if we were meeting at a special place before the ceremony. You can still arange it in a way where you get to make a grand entrance. It also would have given us ample time for pics and then we could have gone straight to the party afterwards. I know it's not the traditional way of doing things and it's easy to get stuck in the way of thinking that the ceremony won't have the same meaning or intensity, but that really isn't true. No matter where you see eachother for the first time it is going to be magical and no matter what, your ceremony is going to be filled with love and emotion. I would really consider seeing eachother before.
nygirl77
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Re: SO SAD, PLEASE HELP! Would you take pics BEFORE?
Our ceremony is at the Fox Hollow at noonish...so the photographer that I spoke to suggested seeing each other before to take photos - but also made a valid point that your family is going to want to enjoy the cocktail hour, so you don't want to be pulling them out from that. I don't really care whether or not I see FH before - I agree with the photographer though - it will be less hectic if you we take pictures before.
ali120206
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Re: SO SAD, PLEASE HELP! Would you take pics BEFORE?
If it is important to you to not see each other beforehand, maybe you could find an offsite place to take some pics, not at the Jericho Terrace. I know lots of photographers have studios or can get permits for different areas.
We have a huge gap so it's not an issue but, our photographer showed us a bunch of pics where the bride and groom met before the ceremony. You couldn't really tell the difference from the pictures, it's just what you two want.
Noonie
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Re: SO SAD, PLEASE HELP! Would you take pics BEFORE?
Stilll undecided! I don't know what to do. On the one hand, I like the idea of having the rest of the wedding free to enjoy, but on the other hand, I just like the idea of seeing each other for the 1st time down the aisle. I just don't know.
What did you all do? And what advice/suggestions can you give me. This is seriously aggravating me now.
superkat
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Re: SO SAD, PLEASE HELP! Would you take pics BEFORE?
Uggh I am in the same position. I think the best suggestion is to take pics with the bridal party before hand, groom take pics with groomsmen before hand and take the rest after the ceremony. You can eliminate about half of the 'group' pictures this way, at least I think.
October Bliss
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Re: SO SAD, PLEASE HELP! Would you take pics BEFORE?
Posted by Noonie
Stilll undecided! I don't know what to do. On the one hand, I like the idea of having the rest of the wedding free to enjoy, but on the other hand, I just like the idea of seeing each other for the 1st time down the aisle. I just don't know.
What did you all do? And what advice/suggestions can you give me. This is seriously aggravating me now.
Our ceremony is at 3 PM, CH starts at 7 PM, so we are doing pictures in between.
However, a photographer I met with during the planning process pointed out that the moment your groom first sees you is special no matter when or where it happens. He was much more eloquent than that and convinced me to change my mind about not seeing the groom until I came down the aisle (although now we've changed the ceremony location so it's not an issue).
He also pointed out that is easier to capture that moment on film outside the confines of the ceremony when the photographers are being told where they are allowed to stand by the catering hall or church.
I can't remember which bride it is (although my gut is telling me DivaBride) that has the most amazing photos in her review of her FH seeing her for the first time before the ceremony.
ZuzusPetals
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Re: SO SAD, PLEASE HELP! Would you take pics BEFORE?
I understand your dilemma. I am planning to NOT see my FH before the ceremony. I am going to have a lot of pictures before hand with my side and the girls. So we will have group shots, just the guys, BUT the main focus will be on me and FH at that time. Im sure it will all work out and my FH and I really dont want to see each other before the ceremony.
KandE917
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Re: SO SAD, PLEASE HELP! Would you take pics BEFORE?
I am in the same predicament. I am Catholic, FH is Jewish and we are getting married at same place as reception.
I honestly never even heard of a bride and groom seeing each other before she walks down that aisle until I met my FH - that's what a sheltered catholic world I live in! But honestly - I have now seen it done for my FH's brother's wedding and I personally could never even imagine it. If it is what you grew up looking forward to - seeing your husband for the first time when you walk down that aisle - then follow your heart. Find a different photog who is willing to work with you on it. It is your day and you need to be happy.
I met with 2 photogs and ended up not going with one b/c he gave me such a hard time about not seeing my FH before hand. I mean who are they - I am hiring them and paying them a sh$t load of money to come take pics....what do they care when I choose to see my FH for the first time. I personally think they don't want to miss out on the awesome food at the cocktail hour! He told me all about how beautiful it can be and they can stage this awesome moment....I laughed at every idea he gave me about how my FH and I could see each other for the first time....it all sounded awful and cheesy to me b/c I, like you, grew up thinking I will not see my Fh until I am walking down that aisle towards him. So some tender moment of him coming up behind me and them capturing it all on film is just not even a thought to me. It may work for many others (it seems we are the minority here and most brides do take pics before ceremony) but it doesn't work for me and my FH supports my decision 100%. 2nd photog I met with was so nice about it and said he will still get amazing pictures of us and not to worry - he totally didn't give me a hard time and I ended up basing part of my decision to go with him on that reason alone. I loved the other photog's work but he upset me like it sounds like you've been upset. They tried to make me feel like I would just not have that great pictures b/c of my decision.
I will take pics at my parents before with all my BM's, parents, etc. Groom will be at reception place with his groomsmen and family and they will go there when they are done with me and get all them. The only pics we will need to do during cocktail hour are the 2 of us and the 2 of us with our families and BP. Our hall was kind enough to extend our cocktail hour to an hour and a half so we can hopefully enjoy some of it. That is something you might want to think about.
And don't even worry for 2 minutes about your family missing out on some of the cocktail hour. If this is your decision they will just have to deal!!!
I am with you on this 100% even though we seem to be the only ones : )
Good Luck with your choice.
And go meet with Greg at Franklin Sq Photog...he will work with you on this! He's the best!
amyg1033
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Re: SO SAD, PLEASE HELP! Would you take pics BEFORE?
personally, I think it's way more romantic for you and your fh to set eye's on each for the first time when it's just the two of you and you get to have a special, private moment versus doing it in front of everyone else at the wedding. Plus, couples that I know that took pictures before hand have said that they were so much more at ease during the ceremony because they weren't as nervous. Nothing is worse than seeing a nervous as hell bride walk or shake down the aisle because it takes away from how beautiful she looks. I'm too scared I would be one of those nervous brides because I hate being the center of attention so we're going to take pics beforehand.
CLMon7906
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Re: SO SAD, PLEASE HELP! Would you take pics BEFORE?
Well, I see your point and the photographers. The Swan Club even suggested it to us when we booked with them so that we don't lose out on the cocktail hour and get to mingle with guests sooner.....which we are fine with....many photographers (all the ones we met with) suggest the same so that you don't spend your entire reception taking pictures BUT it is only a suggestion and is your wedding. If the two of you want to wait, then do so! If there's a conflict, your photographer should be experienced enough to work around it!
ayadali
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Re: SO SAD, PLEASE HELP! Would you take pics BEFORE?
Posted by Noonie
But I did want to give an extra special THANK YOU to WintersBride because I think that taking all other pics before w/out FH will be a great time-saver. That's how we'll do it!!!
This is what FI and I are doing as well. We do not want to see each other before so we will both take our family pictures separately beforehand and our together pictures during the cocktail hour. The CH is not really for the bride and groom anyway so I don't feel like I'm missing anything. It will make the introduction at the reception that more special!
Good luck!
Calimali
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Re: SO SAD, PLEASE HELP! Would you take pics BEFORE?
I'm so sorry you are having this problem. However, I could never imagine seeing FH before the ceremony. Walking down the isle and seeing each other for the first time, you in your wedding gown, is a once in a lifetime experience, and I just could never give that up. Tell you photographer to MAKE it work. JMO!
Rachel1013
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Re: SO SAD, PLEASE HELP! Would you take pics BEFORE?
I was wondering. Can't you get married in a Presbyterian church or another denomination?
Because of my beliefs I did not want to get married in a church but it was really important that I not see my FH before the wedding. I definitely didn't want to get married in a Catholic church, and couldn't anyway because my FH is not catholic. Anyway, we called up a couple of places and found a church that seems very laid back. You can try to look around to see if you can go to like a Presbyterian Church or something. It's worth trying. If you want the number to the church we're using FM me.
Rachel
JanuaryBride06
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Re: SO SAD, PLEASE HELP! Would you take pics BEFORE?
At first I was insistent on not seeing him beforehand but then I realized that I wanted to ENJOY my day and not be rushed for anything. I don't regret for one second seeing him before the ceremony to take pictures. I was STILL overcome with emotion when I walked down the aisle. And the best things about seeing first were: 1) We got to spend 15 minutes alone after the ceremony and 2) We had SO much fun at cocktail hour and at our reception.
