that seems to be the real question these days.  do we see each other before the ceremony or not?  what are the benefits?  what am i sacrificing either way?

and here is the answer.....drum roll please....

it is totally up to you!!

i know, that doesn't really help now does it.  but it's the truth.  ok, so i chose NOT to see justin before we got married.  which most people would think is like a big fat no no as a wedding photographer myself, but that was just something that was really important to me, so i understand the importance of it to others.

but here is the deal.  first of all, you can make the moment when you first see each other special, even if it isn't as you are walking down the aisle.  this is what people now call a, "first look".  some people love them, some hate them.  personally, i think that they are really sweet.  i have always said that if i could do my wedding over, i wouldn't :), but if i did, i might consider doing a first look.  not just for the photos, but because i think that it is a really sweet moment between a bride and groom.  from there, we get to take as much time as we can to take photos of the bride in groom and sometimes go to locations that we wouldn't otherwise have time to do.

so here is my personal suggestion.  if you choose not to see each other before, arrange a time in your day to get photos of the two of you, after all, this is YOUR wedding day and in 50 years, THOSE are the photos that you are going to want.  i know that after the ceremony, you are so anxious to get to the reception but if build in a cocktail hour for your guests with some appetizers and drinks, they will be just fine!  seeing each other before isn't a necessity, but when you are coming up with a wedding day schedule, be mindful of building in some time into your day get photos of the two of you.  also, think about what time of day you are going to be getting married.  do you want photos taken outside of the two of you?  then if you are getting married at 7 it might be dark after the ceremony, depending on what time of year you are getting married.

now, as always, these suggestions are just my own personal opinion.  like i've said before, i have been involved in the wedding industry in some way or another for a long time now and just thought that as a photographer, i would offer what little bit of advice i have to give to allow you to get the absolute best wedding photos ever!!!

and of course no blog would be complete without a photo.  here is a sneak peek of julie and todd's wedding from this past saturday.  this is a sweet moment from THEIR first look!