Help with wedding and pictures!!!?

Question

Up until today I was going to have my fiance and I see each other for the first time on our wedding day before the ceremony so we can pictures out of the way since we are getting married and having the reception at the same place. Now that we are in the final stretch (3 weeks to go), I really want to see the look on his face when he sees me for the first time in my dress when Im walking down the isle. The only problem is that if we did that, we would have to take pictures in the same room as our quests because there isnt another place for us to do the pictures. If we did the pictures before hand, after the ceremony my fiance and I would have a few minutes together then get introduced by the DJ and get the party started.. if we do them after the ceremony there will be a lot of down time for our quests. Im really stressing about this so if anyone has suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it.

Answer 1

I agree do them after. There is nothing like seeing your fiance waiting for you as you walk down the aisle and seeing his reaction to you.

Your guests will be enjoying cocktail hour during your pictures. They will be milling around mingling and watching, it wont be that much down time. Some will stand there and snap pictures too along with the photographer. Be aware that photographers move very quickly, they know what they are doing and how to wrangle people, so it probably wont take as long as you are thinking it will.
Some tips though, be sure that you and your husband(!) have a waiter assigned strictly to you two, he should bring you drinks, food and anything else you need or want. This will help you both greatly because people will want to help by getting you stuff and run away during picture time thus causing time delays, wont have to because you have the waiter to do your biddings.
Also, make a detailed list of all the pictures you want, your photographer will go right down the list checking them off. Be sure you get the group photos first, they are the hardest to get because its alot of people, the ones for you and your husband shold be last because its just the two of you.
One last thing, you have hired a photographer for a reason, he/she will be getting the shots of you. Nothing annoys me more when people are taking the same pictures and the photiographer is ready to move on and people are screaming at you to hold still so they can get the shot. Dont hold still, follow your photographers directions and keep things rolling.

Best wishes to you!!!

Answer 2

I have heard from countless people how much more stressful it was to have the pictures after the ceremony. You just want to go party with your guests, your hair and makeup isn't at its best, and you're tired of cameras!

For my brother's wedding, they had photographs taken beforehand, and the photographer captured every moment of him first seeing her (he was facing away from her as she walked into the room, and then slowly turned around). You could still have a few sweet moments with your husband after the ceremony...and that is the time you will need to take off your veil or bustle your dress if you are going to do that.

Another good idea I have seen is instead of having a receiving line (which takes forever), have the bride and groom excuse each row after the ceremony. This way, the guests can sit and don't have to stand in a long line for forever, and the bride and groom have a minute to say hi to everyone as they are excused.

Have fun!

Answer 3

I would recommend you take a few pictures before and after the ceremony. Before the ceremony each of you can take pictures with your families and wedding party separately and then take a few candids together of him seeing you for the first time. Make sure that you schedule enough time in advance to be ready for pictures prior to your guests arrival. This way you can take a few pictures before the ceremony without them seeing.

After the ceremony you can finish taking pictures with your families and wedding party together and a few final pictures of the two of you.

Then towards the end of your reception, you can always sneak away one last time to take a few final moments together. My husband and I did that and it was so much fun. After we cut the cake, dedicated my bouquet and said thank you's, we stepped out to take a few more pictures while our guests were eating cake. Then we changed in our going away clothes. After it was announce we were leaving, everyone came out and greeted us and sent us off as we got in the limo and headed for our honeymoon.

Answer 4

I think you should do it before. I waited until after the ceremony and it took longer than I thought it would and guest were leaving before I could go speak to them. You still get to see his reaction. And that way you will get some special time before the wedding to talk to each other. Anyway you do I am sure it will be great. congratulations.

Answer 5

When I got married, we took the pictures before and I wasn't too sure about it either, but it was soooo much easier and fun. The photographer had my husband turn around and then I came up to him and tapped him on the shoulder. When he turned around I got to see his face up close and it was just awesome - plus the photographer captured the whole thing on film so we have these great candids. You're going to want to enjoy your cocktail hour too - appetizers rock and you really get a chance to see your guests! You can't go wrong either way and I wish you the best of luck!

Answer 6

Well, the truth is, he's not going to be less happy to see you walk down the aisle even if he sees you before the ceremony. But if you feel that this tradition of not seeing each other is very significant to you - then you will have to make your guests wait. I'm sure they will be happy to.

Answer 7

If you do end up taking the pictures before, set up a meeting spot just for you and him to see each other for the first time. That way it will still be private, personal, and just between you two.