Wedding Day Question

tindababe

Hello ladies! My question is did any of you brides see your groom before the ceremony? Because we have such a big wedding party we might have to take pictures before the ceremony with the whole wedding party and I wanted to know what you guys did.

Huskerfanz

Yes, I did see him and I'm really glad we did it that way.  We did a little reveal when I snuck up and he could turn around and see me and I'm so glad that I got to see his reaction and the photographer could capture it.  H even said later that that moment was his favorite of the day. 

Walking down the aisle to H was still really special and I enjoyed it more because talking with H before the ceremony really relaxed me.

Because we did that, we were able to get the pictures we wanted with the party and even extended family.  Pictures were much more relaxed because we had more time.

And, our guests didn't have to wait for us.  Because we didn't have any formal pictures to get we could go straight to the reception (after a few fun party pics at a park) and it flowed really nice.

I was in a wedding where they did not see each other and did pictures after the ceremony and the guests had to wait a long time for us to show up to the reception.  My family went and thankfully I warned them of the timeline so my younger siblings watched a movie and my parents brought cards to play.  I would suggest having cards on the tables or a cocktail hour or something if you do do pictures after the ceremony.

Huskerfanz

I don't know if your club board is very active, but on the May 09 board we talked about this a few times so you might get more perspective on your club board if you don't get a lot of response here.

tarmar81

You have to do what you feel is right.  I didn't see my groom beforehand and we did have a gap between the ceremony and the reception (though part of that was because we had to be out of our ceremony site several hours before our cocktail hour could begin).  While I see a lot of logic and appeal in seeing your groom and doing all the photos before the ceremony, I loved seeing my husband for the first time as I walked down the aisle, and surprisingly I wasn't nearly as emotional as I thought I'd be.  I smiled all the way down the aisle on my dad's arm.   I also think taking pictures together after being married was a lot more meaningful.

It's up to you though.  Some people think time gaps are rude to their guests, others don't.  Some couples themselves don't want a gap in between, others are all for it.  It's your wedding, do it how you want.

Scorpiogrrrrl

I am a coordinator and have seen it done a few different ways...I think its whatever you feel would work best for you and don't let your photographer talk you into anything you dont want to do or anybody else. I am waiting to do photos until after the ceremony because its what my fiance wants. I was fine either way but hes old fashioned and doesnt want to see me in my dress until I am walking down the aisle. We are doing a small mixer after the ceremony and are doing a ceremonial hay ride by ourselves right afterwards and then posing for photos...while we are posing for photos the hayrides will be open for our guests along with a small bonfire for some smores snacks, and the playground will be opening for the kids in our party.

dbrym1

We saw each other before the ceremony and I am so glad we did.  We had the "special moment" where it was just us (and our photographer who stayed very much out of the way) and it got all of my nerves out.  And Tyler was such a wreck at the actual ceremony (he seriously cried the whole time, it was the cutest) that I don't know if he would have made it through if we hadn't seen each other yet! 

But I second the earlier posts that said to do what feels right for you.  Don't feel like you HAVE to wait to see each other or HAVE to take pictures before for the convenience.  Your guests will understand no matter what you do! 

Huskerfanz

Definitely do what you and your FI want to do.

Another thing to add, if you do want to wait to see him until after the ceremony, you can still do some pictures before.  You and the girls, him and the boys, you and the boys, you with your family, etc.  You'll just have to wait until after to do the pictures with everyone.

tindababe

Thank you guys all ver much for explaining both sides! It has helped me out and narrow it down, I think it will be easier to see each other before, we'll be able to get more pictures with out being rushed and just that personal time together also!

acdc080109

We didn't see each other before the ceremony. We exchanged letters and got pics of that, which was special too. We had a few hours between the ceremony and reception because we had to (the Church had a 5:00 Mass so we couldn't start the reception until 6:00). We took a few pics after the ceremony, but we were out enjoying the limo within an hour of saying I do! Do whatever you feel most comfortable with, it's your day!

stacy1989

We are planning to see each other before because it will mean we get to do more fun photos with just us and our wedding party after the wedding and we'll get the full use of the limo. Our photographer said that they will do whatever we wanted, so it was really up to us and what we wanted to do with our time. So, now I am super excited because the timing is coming together so well. We are also planning to have a cocktail hour in between so our guests won't get antsy or bored.