A long time ago it was thought to be bad luck if the groom saw his bride on the day of their wedding.  But as we have seen with many other traditions, things are a changing.

What is the benefit for the bride and groom seeing each other before the ceremony?

- Some couples feel that they would be more relaxed if they saw each other first.  It’s a way for them to spend some alone time together before the rest of the bridal party shows up.

- Some photographers think the pictures turn out better.  They feel that there is such excitement and joy that shows through the photos.  After the ceremony the look of the couple often changes and the relief that the most important part has passed comes through the photos.

- Seeing each other before the ceremony can give the photographer more time to get more photos.  The couple can seem rushed to get in as many photos as possible after the ceremony leaving their guests to wait for their arrival.  Which can leave guests feeling annoyed, since the party can’t start without the bride and groom.

What are the benefits to seeing each other for the first time at the ceremony?

- There is something to be said about the first time the groom sees his bride walking down the aisle.  The look of love that spreads across his face can be a magical experience for the bride and groom.  As well as for their family and friends!

- The couple can always take as many individual photos and a few wedding party photos before the ceremony.  The trick is making sure that the couple doesn’t get any sneak peaks of each other.  So, make sure you have a bridesmaid and a groomsman in charge of keeping the two apart.  This will alleviate the time the couple spends taking photos after the ceremony as well.

Really, the decision comes down to the bride and groom.  Seeing each other for the first time on your wedding day should be an amazing experience that you will want to remember.  When we ask our past brides what their favorite moment of the wedding was, they often say the first time they laid eyes on their groom and his reaction to her in her gown.  And it was something they will never forget.

Krysta