Pictures before the wedding?

I have two photographers so Im having one go witht he guys and get all the goomsmen pictures and one comming with me to get all the girl pictures and then only doing the combo pictures after the ceremony. That way we get them all done and cut down on the wait time.

Im also not having everything be formals. I am giving a list of people I want pictures with to be more like Candids or just informal shots during the reception.

I did all my pics before the wedding and i wouldn't have it any other way it was great and so much fun

When I married my ex-husband, we did our pics before the ceremony (maybe it was bad luck come to think of it ;-0 j/k)... He did his pics first while me and the BMs finished dressing, then they let he and I have a moment alone before the group pics so that he could have his moment to look at me... then they did my pics and the group pics... everything was done before the ceremony-so after the ceremony we did the receiving line and then everyone went to the reception... It went really smoothly that way...

This time, we'll do our pics after--of course, he's already seen me in my "dress" so it's no secret! ;-)

2.5 hours late? That is unacceptable! Pictures should take an extra 30-45 minutes if there isn't another site involved.

A lot of brides have a hard time breaking that tradition of before the service when presented with the option, but love the idea of having it done and out of the way.

Your photographer(s) should start with everyone (family, etc.) and release people as the group shots are completed, leaving only you and the stragglers.

I've been to too many weddings where people start mumbling and grumbling about the bride and groom being gone for so long and people being hungry and having to wait. So from that standpoint- I'm doing it beforehand. Second, i've been in 3 weddings in the past year (all who did pictures only afterwards) and 2/3 later realized they missed some of the pictures they wanted done b/c it was taking longer then the thought and whatever (the one who did had 2 1/2 hours of pictures after the wedding...). Also, I agree with you, I want to look as good as possible for the pics so I'm doing a large chunk of the pictures beforehand- basically doing 1 or 2 more bridal party shots after, the big family pics (which take up enough time as it is) and just a few more w/my FH. I just don't want to feel rushed or rude

Honestly, you all keep me sane! Thanks yet again! I think we'll do it before the wedding just because it seems so much easier! Plus I'm the only superstitious one anyway!

I personally think that it's extremely cool when the first time the couple sees each other, it's at the altar. I'm not superstitious, I just think it's much more meaningful. Plus, I don't think it's fair for people to complain about how long pictures are taking before the reception. It's the newlywed couple's day, and they should be fine with what they have chosen to do. And pictures should never take 2 1/2 hours, that is just crazy. I agree with everyone who has posted before me about having the guys and girls take pictures seperately before the ceremony to cut down on time. Just choose whatever works best for you!

I am kind of old fashioned in that I want the first time my FH sees me to be when I'm walking down the aisle. That said, I don't want to have to wait too long to get to my own reception. We are taking all photos that do not involve me before the wedding. That way it will just take a few minutes after the ceremony to take the pictures with me in them.

I too think that I am going to have the majority of my group shots done prior to the ceremony, but I do not want my FH to see me prior to me walking down the aisle. I only have a few shots that I want that are posed I want a more photojournalism shots

We're opting to take pictures before the ceremony. Our ceremony and reception are at the same place, so there isn't a lot of time between the two. Our photographer is going to set up a "reveal" so that it's still special when my fiance sees me for the first time.

You don't have to be that superstitious, a lot of couples do the shoots before. Never seen a problem with that. If you want to do it between the ceremony and reception try to entertain the guest with some live music or drinks. Photo shoot can be made in 2 or 1 1/2 hours, try not to go to far away from the reception.

I want his first time seeing me to be at the altar. We have an hour between our ceremony and reception so I will use that extra time to take pics. Truthfully its what you feel comfortable with but I want that wow factor when he pulls my veil back at the alter. Good Luck

I am torn as well. I want my FH not to see me in my dress until I walk down the aisle...what to do what to do...I think I am going to split it up and have all the ones done that we can before and then the ones that need us both after...I can't decide...I am way to indecisive. lol.

BTW Ashlib...I love your profile pic! Very cute!

Myself and another photographer recently wrote an article for the Blue Ridge Brides on "the first look" and the advantages of this (shoudl be out next month). I was married in 2007 and even though as a photographer I recommend as many pictures before hand my groom did not want to see me before. When I got to the front of the church I wanted to share all those feelings and emotions and hear what he thought about "the dress" yet in front of 85 people it was not the time. If I could I would redo that and have before the ceremony that intimate moment when we first see each and share our thoughts. Go for it! The other option which most of my brides choose is to do all your photographs alone, with your b-maids and family, him alone, with his family and g-men before then afterward you only have the photographs of you together with your families and bridal party. When photographed like this we can keep photographs afterward to 20 minutes. Best Wishes! ~ Amanda Godlove

My husband and I got married last Saturday and I was a little worried too so what we did was me my bridesmaids and flower girl took pics before then my parents and I then I left the location and he came to the location and did the same thing so we got half the pics done ahead of time but never saw eachother! Maybe you could do something like that so its not as time consuming after the ceremony but still dont see eachother. It took about 45 minutes aftre the ceremony to finish up.

If you do opt for the pictures beforehand, you should do a "first look" shot. Where the groom is in a known location, and the bride is introduced all dressed up to him. Your photographer(s) should be strategically positioned to capture the look on his face when he first sees you.

My couples who do photos first are generally much calmer. They are there to support one another, and feel like from the time they set up the 1st look, they are stepping into the rest of the day together. The first time they see one another, those photos have a different look. The Groom usually turns around and there she is all perfect..... then there is an intimate moment. They get to kiss and actually speak to one another, then move forward. IMO, it doesn't diminish the look in the groom's eyes as the Bride walks down the aisle. Also if that's the first time they see one another, there's no personal time. It's the ceremony, we're starting with the opening words. For couples who haven't seen one another, having a moment alone right after the ceremony, to just bask in the fact that they're really husband and wife, has been meaningful. With all that said there is no right or wrong. It's all personal preference.

Happy Planning!

From a photographer point of view I ADORE when my couples see each other before the wedding. There are many different reasons for this. Getting photos of the "first look" before the wedding is very romantic and easier to catch than when he sees you coming down the isle for the first time.

It provides so much time for romantic photos. By the time you get through family photos after the wedding, you are going to be sick of smiling and people are going to be rushing you to get in there and start eating, so I highly recommend couple photos BEFORE the ceremony. You will get your best shots this way.

And for peace of mind, all my brides that have done the first look before the wedding are still happily married, nothing bad has befallen them

I was really worried about this as well. I thought that since our wedding is in the late afternoon, I really didn't want to take our pictures after because it might be dark by then so we've decided on taking them before. The only thing I am concerned about now is that there will be a lot of people around since it's on a Friday and the park we're having them done at is right outside the capital building. I just hope people stay out of the pictures. Also, my FH already has peeked at my dress so I'm not worried about that anymore.

Have to agree with Lux photo and Daniella K! The intimate time together before the ceremony is precious and the best opportunity to get your photos. Once the I dos are said, you will want to go or get pulled 5 different directions so having relaxing photos is more of a challenge if you wait till after. I am photographing a bride and groom in October who have put the reception 2 hours after the ceremony so we can take lots of relaxed photos! I also think this is standard procedure in Australia too to have big lag between ceremony and reception.

Congrats and best wishes to you two on your big day.

Marjorie