Lately a lot of brides have been asking about current trends in wedding photography vs. the traditional style of wedding photography. One of the most often asked questions is whether or not to see each other before the ceremony. For some couples that is an easy decision as they want to maintain the tradition of not seeing each other beforehand. Some brides love the idea of the doors to the sancturay being opened and seeing each other for the first time.
Today, the current trend finds that more and more couples are deciding to see each other before the ceremony for a few reasons: some practical, some romantic. First, seeing each other for a few minutes before the ceremony allows for a few private moments and can calm emotions before walking down the aisle. Taking photos during this time with just the bride and groom present can be priceless, especially when capturing those expressions of that private moment. After the ceremony, finding this quiet, private time for photographs becomes a little more difficult, but not impossible. So, my advice to brides is to do what you really like. Don't be swayed by a pushy wedding photographer (wedding photographers love, love, love capturing those before the ceremony moments) or all of the hype regarding this topic found on internet wedding sites. In the end, your photos will best reflect your happiness of the moment if you make your decision free of influence from others!
To find those private moments for couples, I usually ask my bride and groom if I can steal them away from their guests in small increments of time (15 minutes or so) where I'll tap them on the shoulder and say "Want to sneak away?" It becomes a fun, private game and most of time they return to the reception fun before anyone misses them!
Those private moments together will create the some of the happiest memories of your wedding day.
Whether you chose a traditional, contemporary or a combination of the two for your wedding, it will be beautiful and uniquely you!