Often our couples ask when we suggest doing their formal portraits together and with family. Many have mixed feelings about how, where, and when they should be done. We never push our clients to do them at any certain time but we do love to do them prior to the ceremony, and here is why…
Doing your portraits prior to the ceremony accomplishes a few things. It assures that everyone will look their best, no one will have smeared makeup from crying, ties will be straight, children will be in a better mood, and flowers are always their best when they are fresh. You can also get those shots out of the way so you can head straight to the reception to join your guests instead of taking 45 minutes to an hour after the ceremony. The other benefit is that typically there is far more time to get the must have shots rather than trying to squeeze them all into an hour. As photographers we are able to be more creative with more time, and everyone seems to enjoy the photo taking process more when it’s not rushed.
Many of our brides do not want their husbands to be to see them before they walk down the aisle, and we do respect this. However, let’s think about this for a minute… most often brides are nervous, VERY nervous… teary, and anxious. When a bride walks down the aisle the guests all stand out of respect. Often this leaves the groom having to peek around people to get his first look at the bride. While it is still a very special moment, it’s not just the two of you sharing that moment, all of your guests are sharing that moment with you.
When our clients ask to do their photos prior to the ceremony we set up what we call the “first look”. This can be done in the church, at your ceremony site, or anywhere of your choosing, even separate locations that otherwise may not be able to happen during a normal timeframe at a wedding. This first look is always very special, very intimate, and private. The only people that share that moment are our couple, and us in the distance catching it all in photographs. Often it is one of the only private and intimate moments our couples share during their wedding. Of all the couples that have done this, not one has ever wished they did it differently. They all are very glad that they chose to do the photos early and have this special “first look” that is just for them and them only. We get to capture the grooms face when he sees his gorgeous bride for the first time without anyone standing in front of our cameras, and we don’t have to worry about the constraints of church and ceremony rules.
I thought I would post about this as it is a question that is frequently asked, and many ask why we prefer to do the photos this way. Here is a link to Lauren & Nathan’s recent wedding. In the getting ready section you will see their “first look” which took place at Hollis Gardens in Lakeland. After their first look their families joined them for their portraits at Hollis Gardens as well which are in the formals section of their site. As you will see the moment they first saw each other was so special, and didn’t take anything away from the ceremony. Yes it is definitely a bit of a break from tradition, but well worth it from the photography aspect of the day as you will see by all of the different things we were able to do with Lauren & Nathan since we weren’t rushed for time! 
Click HERE to check out Lauren & Nathan’s entire wedding website!
I’d really like to do this at our wedding…I’ve read so many positive remarks about it (from brides and grooms) and have been telling Chris about it. It was great to read your thoughts about it, from the photographer’s standpoint — I’m going to have Chris read your post.