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Before or After? When To Take Your Formal
Photographs
By Michael Loeb Photography
In Medieval times, a bride and groom were not even
allowed to meet each other until the actual wedding
ceremony. This was so neither one could back out if,
when they saw the person, they would not want to be
married to them! This ancient custom has carried
forth to the 90's where now people feel it is bad
luck to see each other before the ceremony. In fact,
there is no basis to the success or longevity of a
marriage if the bride and groom wait to see each
other until the ceremony.
It is important for the couple to decide for
themselves which way they would like to go, and
inform the photographer about a week before the
wedding. To assist the bride and groom with making
an informed decision, there are a few items worth
noting:
1.
It is a special moment when the couple first sees
each other. When it is done before the ceremony,
they can talk to each other and express how they
like the way the other one looks! This is what each
one wants to know anyway, but a ceremony itself is
not the place for a bride and groom to talk to each
other and tell each other what they are thinking.
The moment they first see each other also makes a
wonderful candid photo!
2.
Many times the couple is glad that they are seeing
each other in advance in case there are any wedding
details that they need to discuss. In this case, it
is a good thing they were together beforehand to
discuss it!
3.
It adds to the stress to not see each other and it
actually reduces stress when the couple DOES see
each other first.
4.
When the flowers, hair, make-up and clothes are all
new and fresh is the best time to take pictures.
This can be especially true for a hot and/or humid
day.
5.
The bride and groom can choose any location within a
half hour drive of the ceremony to take pictures.
There are many beautiful spots that have water,
trees, flowers, grass, nice sky, impressive
architecture, etc. that would not be practical to
visit after a ceremony.
6.
It gives the bride and groom something to do before
the ceremony and it takes their mind off wondering
if the rest of the day is going to go well. The
beforehand photo session can actually be a lot of
fun!
7.
The only people that would be around before the
ceremony would be, if possible, the wedding party,
brothers, sisters and parents. Since these are the
most important people needed for pictures, the
session goes much faster because there are no guests
around at that time.
8.
After a beautiful and moving wedding ceremony,
people are sometimes crying and guests all want to
congratulate the bride and groom. Especially at a
one location wedding, people don't usually feel like
taking all the photos afterwards. There is a
cocktail hour usually happening and this is when the
bride and groom prefer to say hello to many dear
friends and relatives who have come from afar.
9.
The entire pace of the wedding goes smoother and
quicker if most of the photos have already been
taken in advance. This makes the catering manager,
DJ or band and guests happier and even reduces the
liquor bill at the cocktail hour!
After photos are taken beforehand and the bride and
groom separate, he still waits at the front and she
is escorted down the aisle by her Dad as usual. The
couple still gazes at each other and the moment is
just as special for them because they realize that
this is the moment they have been waiting for!
The fact that photos have been taken in a nice spot
before the ceremony, does not detract from the magic
of the moment when the ceremony begins. Also, the
guests have not seen the bride in advance, so they
ARE seeing the bride for the first time at the
ceremony. This usually elicits many proud and joyful
smiles!
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