see each other before or not?

Tammy,
Actually I had a friend that did that recently. He was standing up at the alter and when it was time for her to walk down the aisle, he walk to the beginning of the aisle, met her, and escorted her back to the front. It was really sweet and brought tears to my eyes.

For photos, I actually like the way Jonathan put it about seeing each other for the first time alone. I guess that would make for some great photos! However, my friends (from the same wedding) got ready in the same hotel suite (it had 2 bedrooms) and when they were ready, she just said honey, come in here let me see you. She was all dress in her gown and they just said "aww you look really nice" they did this all in front of us. So I don't know if they got the same feel for photos Jonathan that was talking about.

Like Mexico15 said, I also really wanted the wow factor for my wedding. We didn't spend the night in separate rooms the night before. We had breakfast together the day of, worked out together, then parted ways at around 1:00. I am glad we waited to see each other until the ceremony. However, it would have been nice to get some of the pictures out of the way earlier so we could have enjoyed the cocktail hour a little more... It's a toss...

Initially, I planned for our first look to occur at the ceremony. I am also having second thoughts due to lighting and the desire to keep the cocktail hour and reception moving.

 

FI could care less which we choose. His statement is, "tell me what time and place to show up and I'll be there." We haven't really discussed if we'll share our room the night before but I do know that he plans to be golfing/spa-ing the morning/afternoon of the wedding.

 

? for photographers:

I scheduled 1hour pf photography before ceremony to capture us with our bridal parties. If we decide to see each other shoulh I schedule 1.5hr before the ceremony.

 

We have 2 photographers covering the day. One likes "tighter" shots that the others... does that make any sense? I think thats wht she said.

I can see why it would be good to see each other and do pictures before, but I also do not want him to see me till I am walking down the aisle. Its a great moment, to see him standing there and for him to see you for the first time. So, I would not get together before. That is just me though.

I agree. This is a tough one and one that I keep asking myself. It would be great to take all our pics before the ceremony so that we won't miss any of the cocktail/dinner reception BUT I would love to have a shot of me entering the church and seeing each other for the first time. Hmmmm... what to do?

cute new pic Amy!! I was watching a video sample from a videographer last night and the groom looked so excited and so now I am thinking that I should wait? I am really torn on this one.

More time is always better because, in my experience, something or someone will be late so it's best to leave room for that.

I like to have an hour with just the couple and maybe another hour to get the bridal party shots. Plus mom and dad always want the traditional group shots too.

what they mean by "tighter" shots is one photographer will focus more on getting close ups (tighter) and the other will focus on wide angles. more than likely anyway.

Thanks Christine!

I think that if you opt to see each other before the ceremony, make sure to have the same type of shot (where he is waiting for you to arrive) I.e. he's waiting at the bottom of the stairs while you come down them. I think you can still capture the same type of emotion.

Yes, I think its still important to capture that initial reaction from both bride & groom, I am so torn on this one too!! I really want to wait, but I like the idea of a moment alone before, and I don't really want to miss the whole cocktail hour. This is such a hard decision!

We are going to see eachother before the ceremony.

 

We're pretty traditional as far as I'm kicking him out of our room the night before the wedding and we will get ready separately but I just feel like it's more practical to do our photos together beforehand. That way we'll

 

-get more photos together

-not feel rushed

-feel less anxious about the ceremony (I hope... I am super emotional so I hope that this will calm my nerves. I am an ugly crier.)

-get to enjoy some of our cocktail hour with our guests - this is #1. I mean, these folks are coming all this way to party with us. I want to make sure that we at least get to chat with them and enjoy our time together.

 

I've seen my photographer's shots that he sets up for this -- they're great. We've both agreed that this is definitely the way to go for us. And the brides that I've spoken with that have done this say that it gives you two special moments instead of one.

I seem to be even more confused now that I've read this thread! At first I wanted to do things more traditionally where my fiance sees me for the first time when I walk down the aisle but now I'm beginning to see the good things about seeing eachother before the ceremony. I would definately love to have a nice private moment with my fiance before the ceremony and I also hope that this will calm my nerves. I cry whenever I think about getting married & saying my vows. I guess I would cry less...