Getting pictures taken before the actual ceremony??

[bcbride]

Hi ladies,

Just wondering if any of you will get your wedding pictures/first look pictures taken before the actual ceremony? This is something our photographer suggested so we wouldn't feel rushed to get all the pictures taken between the ceremony and the reception. She suggested an hour or so before the ceremony.

I realize this is the more practical way of doing it, but part of me (and FI actually) feels that the "first-look" should be at the ceremony. Any thoughts??

[yamille]

We are doing "First look" photos. I really want to have an intimate moment with him and I have seen some that are just lovely. I know me- and I get overwhelmed and I want to be able to take him in and as I am walking down the aisle I know that I will do that but I will aslo be aware of all my closest there around us. I also don't want to do a long photo session during the cocktail hour.

 

I think it's a personal decision.

[becks]

We did photos before hand and I am so glad that we did. It was "just us" time - no parents, bridal party, etc. (except for Nathaniel, of course). The photos were great, very just us. The look on DH's face was priceless!

[litl_april]

I, too, had originally wanted to first see each other at the ceremony however after some of the things I've read through, I'm okay with doing them beforehand. I am an emotional person, and it may be a good thing to get that out of the way if I can, and have time for makeup touch-ups lol. It turned out that our ceremony is scheduled not long before sunset so we will have pictures just the 2 of us, sunset on the beach. Our pictures beforehand will start out with just the two of us as well, in order to share that alone-time before the festivities begin.

My photographer did mention that majority of group pictures can be done before the wedding even if the bride and groom doesn't want to see each other...bride with her family, bridesmaids, groom with his family, groomsmen, etc, and then do the larger group pics afterwards. So that's something you could consider too, I'm sure.

[Michelle613]

I'm also having a photo session with my fiance before the ceremony- there can still be a surprise shot by having the photographer take a photo when you two see each other for the first time in your wedding attire.

[JennyK]

We did the "first look" as well bc we knew we wouldn't have enough time/light after the ceremony to take pics. It's still a magical moment.

[Gen Snipes]

We are doing it before too. If you want a sunset weding it seems like the only way to go. ...although i worry i will dirty up my dress or mess up my hair /makeup before the ceremony if i am taking pictures out and about! I'll just have to be careful.

[Jess]

we're waiting till after the ceremony...we have a 3 1/2 hour window between out ceremony and reception so we have plenty of time. I think if we had a shorter period of time I would do the same - I want the first look to be when I'm actually walking down the aisle.

[TammyB]

I did first look photos as well. what was nice is that it really broke up the time of photos, we did an hour before the wedding, then our ceremony, and group shots and then went off and did another hour of photos on the beach after the wedding. Plus I'm a ball of nerves and usually break out in hives and doing this actually avoided it. So for me it worked out great.

[montegobay09]

I think it's really up to you. I can completely understand if you want the first look to be when you walk down the isle. FI felt the same way and then I showed him a thread on the topic. We then decided that we wanted our special "first look" moment to be betweem just me and him with no one but the photographer around. I think it'll be so nice to see him and take the edge off my nerves about the whole thing. There's so much pressure about walking down the isle (for me anyway cause I don't like being the centre of attention!!). We can't wait to share that special moment and get some bride/groom pics done before the ceremony so that we can spend more time with our guests after the ceremony and have more fun and less pressure.

 

It really is up to you though!! It's kinda like the question about whether or not you'll spend the night before in the same room/bed...it's all about what both of you feel works best for you!