Myth #1: The bride and groom shouldn't see each other before the ceremony...
Facts: If a couple wants to bet that seeing each other beforehand tarnishes their luck, then perhaps this is the end of the article for those folks. We don't have data to back this up, but we believe that seeing each other before the ceremony hasn't actually caused couples bad luck. In reality, special, intimate moments together right before the ceremony have a calming effect - a couple can focus on each other right before everything goes "public". Overcoming anxiety together is a solid start to a lifetime together.
Myth #2: Seeing the bride before she walks down the aisle will "spoil" that moment...
Facts: We get that there is only one "first impression". But, there are multiple, intense, emotional moments throughout a wedding - some planned, and some not planned. We've found that the groom seeing his bride as she appears at the end of the aisle to begin her walk is wrapped with emotion that is unique to that moment. Nothing seems to diminish the way a groom feels and how that shows on his face when he sees his bride standing there looking at him. That will happen whether he sees her ahead of the ceremony or not.
Myth #3: Guests won't mind waiting after the ceremony for pictures to be taken...
Facts: Guests mind. The ceremony is over and now folks can gather, eat, visit, and relax...but they'll have to do it without the happy couple for over an hour as formal photos are taken. Our experience suggests that guests get restless and sometimes opt not to attend anything following the ceremony when they have to wait for the bride and groom. The anxiety grows in the wedding party as they are kept from further celebration at the reception. Brides are often anxious to get to the guests, so there's pressure to rush the photography and the emotions are evident on the faces of those in the pictures. Frustrations rise, which is in stark contrast to what the event should be all about.
Myth #4: Pictures don't take that long...
Facts: Formal pictures take time, especially if there are numerous combinations of images desired. Unless the formal photographs aren't important to a couple, it will take time to get folks together, arrange them formally, shoot several images of each "setting", etc. We tend to block out at least two hours for formal photos, and then work hard to get it all done in 90 minutes. That leaves a half hour for some "down" time right before the ceremony. It's true that we can take some before the ceremony, some after the ceremony, and some at the reception following. By the third time folks are being gathered for "another photo session", the photographers aren't being embraced with open arms, which affects the quality of the images.
Making the case for formal photographs BEFORE the ceremony...
We understand the intimacy and emotional nature of the first time a groom sees his bride in her dress (and when the bride sees her groom in his formal wear) for the first time on their wedding day. Many couples don't realize, however, that there are several "first times" at a wedding. We've found that by adding a "first look" to the set of images we capture, we create another first-time moment for the bride and groom.The "first look" images are captured as soon as the the bride and groom are dressed. We create special time for just the couple to spend together ahead of all the hustle and bustle of the wedding - we isolate the couple from everyone else to make the experience just about them. We don't let the groom see his bride until everything is ready. When the time is right, we present the bride to the groom and let him have his first look. We capture images of this "first time" he sees her and of many more moments that occur after that.
Couples discover the "first look" doesn't diminish the first time the groom sees his bride at the end of the aisle looking back at him. If you want to add more first-time moments to your special day with a "first look", and want to keep your guests happy and engaged, have your formal wedding photos taken before the ceremony...we predict you won't regret it.
