Reveal or Don't Reveal?

bsn1752

OK - so I had never heard of this whole "Reveal" thing you do before your wedding until I started planning... I always thought that you waited to see eachother until you walked down the aisle!!  So, what did you do?  Did you wait to see eachother or did you do a reveal?  What are your reasons for your choice?

I'm trying to decide what we're going to do!

tc1016

We're doing a reveal. Originally I was against it. FI, who's usually the more traditional one, was all for it because it would make him less nervous and give us more time for pictures. If we had a gap between the ceremony and reception, we may have done things differently, but considering our ceremony is at 5:30, we wouldnt have time to get all the pictures we want if we didnt do the reveal. Have you talked to your photographer about it?

seujoanne

I wasn't going to do one either until I talked to my photog and she discussed it.  She totally blew me away with her vision and I decided it would help MY nerves to do it!

Tiffany618

I vote Reveal.   I had never heard of it before either. Not only do you get the opportunity for some amazing photos together, but we can also knock out a lot of photos beforehand making things less stressful after the ceremony.

bsn1752

Well, we're still 10.5 months out... and we have a photographer but we haven't even done engagements yet (my FI has a broken ankle... how bad is THAT timing??). 

SoonToBeMrsHoz

We didn't do engagements until 4 months out, your timing is just fine in my opinion. You have plenty of time left.

tc1016

We didn't get our engagements done until 6 months after our engagement (6 months before the wedding), so I wouldn't worry about that!

serlace

We are going to do a Reveal. It just saves us so much time to do the pictures before the ceremony.  Plus, our ceremony isn't going to be all that long, so we don't want guests just 'hanging out' waiting for us to finish pics.

Although, I can see the fun in waiting until you walk down the aisle.  But, I don't know if I could handle the nerves - especially in front of everyone. 

Mariah09202008

I wish we'd done a reveal.  I don't feel like we got a ton of pictures of just the two of us and I think it would have been fun.

chantico23

I really wanted to do a reveal, as I wanted all of the pictures done before hand.  My fiance is completely opposed to it, however, so we are not.  We compromised and are doing a cocktail hour for the guests while we finish up our pictures.

BanannaP

We are doing it, and I'm really looking forward to it. FI was all for it, I think he's going to be really nervous that day. Plus, the ceremony and reception are going to be in the same place, and I don't want there to be a lot of dead time between the ceremony and reception. I want to party!

shortgirltx

We did a reveal and don't regret it at all.  It was great for us because we needed to do pictures beforehand to save time (my family was catering) and I wanted that moment of just us.  I couldn't imagine doing pics afterwards and having 1 less hour of the reception.

fallbride1109

We decided a month before the wedding to do a reveal and it was the best decision we ever made.  The stress just melts away and you get great pictures.

bobbileighb

We have decided to do one not only to get great pictures but because I want that special moment to be between me and him only, not me him and 100 guests as I walk down the aisle.  From anyone that I have known that did one they said it was one of the best decisions they made.

fallbride1109

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_reveal-dont-reveal?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:102Discussion:33f53b0f-b16f-4194-94ae-d37376dfcad2Post:a8ecb0f3-8df8-4c7b-ad4e-a61b1482c400">Re: Reveal or Don't Reveal?</a>:
[QUOTE]We have decided to do one not only to get great pictures but because I want that special moment to be between me and him only, not me him and 100 guests as I walk down the aisle.  From anyone that I have known that did one they said it was one of the best decisions they made.
Posted by bobbileighb[/QUOTE]

I have heard lots of people say they wish they had done one, but I have never heard anyone say they did one and regretted it.

stephl3055

I wish we had done one as well.  I had never really heard of them before, and I think I mentioned it once to my mom, who kind of shot it down saying that we should do the traditional thing and not see each other before the wedding. 

But I don't feel too bad because our church where we would've taken the pictures had we done a reveal wasn't that great looking.  It's a temporary building that is used while money is saved for a permanent church. 

aphitx

I guess I'm the only one who's different.  We did not do one.  I had always wanted that "church door opening" moment.  I'm really glad with the way our pics turned out.  :-)

llc2011

We're doing one and I'm really excited about it! We're doing it to help the share that moment with each other, ease the nerves, and get more pictures before the ceremony.

bsn1752

aphitx - see I really love that too!! And the emotion and excitement of it... ugh!  Still no decision!

fallbride1109

I really wanted "that special moment" too.  But the thing is, the moment is special and emotional and exciting no matter when or how you do it.  And I know Ben would not have shown the same emotion in front of 100 people that he did in private.  And that was important to me.

Anyway, you have plenty of time to decide!  Either way it will be special.

donnamarie02

We are doing a reveal. I think it will be a great intimate moment between just us, plus I want to do pictures ahead of time.

MissesKB

We are not doing one. We want to keep it very traditional. I don't see a reveal making it any less stressful or easing the nerves. I am imagining when I step into view, while everyone is looking at me, I will be looking and concentrating on him.
I want my photos to capture the first glances inside, at the ceremony, where I am spending all of my money

After the ceremony we will  have a cocktail hour for the guest while we finish our photos.

bellagrace

I thought about doing the reveal, but I always wanted that awe moment right before I walk down the aisle. But, we are taking all the family and bridal party pictures before the wedding. That gives us time after the ceremony just for us, and that is why you have a cocktail hour to do pictures.

Donnaaries

We're doing a reveal, I think I'd rather get my ugly cry face on during that private moment rather than ugly cry face all the way down the aisle, LOL.

juliebug1997

We didn't do one and I wouldn't have suggested it.  Bill's very traditional.  However, there are times when I wish we had.  He was so nervous being up in front of all those people (okay, about 100 of them) that I thought something was wrong when I got to him at the end of the aisle.  He wouldn't squeeze my hand back or look at me.  That made me nervous. 

The only thing I really remember about walking down the aisle was seeing Bill at the end and telling my dad to slow down since we paid a lot of money for the trumpeteer and the dress.  I thought we should get our moneys worth.

JessAndColton

YES!!  I didn't do one, but it wasn't really a thing when I got married.  Now, I wish I would have.  It is so romantic and intimate.  Look on photographers websites that you admire and see the pics they have of reveals.  It really is great.

It DOES melt away the stress. Believe me.  Once you see your groom and can hug and kiss them, you will understand.  From the time you are standing up there until you leave in the car, you don't really get any chill time.  Once the ceremony is over and the reception starts, you get really nervous about timing and taking too long.  However, with the reveal, it cuts all that stress out.

However, the traditional way is cool too.  I say go with whatever your heart desires.  You have plenty of time to make and change your mind.

txex1996

I went the traditional route and first saw my husband as I was walking down the aisle.

I have to say there was no moment in my life more perfect. The music started, the doors opened, and all I could see was my husband smiling at me. This was symbolic. In that instant I was walking toward the love of my life and our future together. When he first touched me on our wedding day, it was before my pastor becoming husband and wife.

For me, this was priceless.
 

fallbride1109

I agree with Jess--the stress was totally gone once I saw Ben at the reveal.  I can't explain why it happens but it does.  Yet my heart was still pounding when I was waiting to walk down the aisle--it doesn't change that at all.  But there is no way to explain how wonderful a reveal is to someone that hasn't done it.  It's kind of like trying to explain childbirth to someone who has never experienced it.

Like I said, the moment will be special and wonderful no matter how or when you do it. 

sparklingdiamond

At first I didn't want to do one, but when my photographer showed me pictures of another couple who did it, I was sold!  So now we are doing it.  It will help us release some stress and will give us some great pictures together. 

bsn1752

OK - I'm getting goosebumps reading everyone's stories!! But you're right, I still have 10.5 months to decide.  My FI said NO REVEAL last night because he's always thought about the moment the doors open and he sees me walking towards him... kinda melted my heart.  I will keep you guys posted...

linzcw04

We were originally going to do a reveal...I thought it would calm my nerves and his but he has since decided that he wants to get the "hard part over with so the pictures are more relaxed" - I know....he's a little shy (and strange)! He is already so worried about the vows and everything that he's afraid that the pictures wouldn't be as good. Secretly I think he just wants to wait and have that moment when I walk down the aisle in front of family and friends vs the same alone - who knew he was such a traditionalist?!?
Personally I don't think you could go wrong either way!