“First Sight - First Kiss”
Why is it traditional for the bride and groom not to see each other before the wedding?
Here is a little insight to the tradition:
Many years ago when arranged marriages were the only way to go the brides parent's wouldn't allow the bride to see the groom before the ceremony just in case she thought he was ugly and would run away before the wedding ceremony. This kind of takes away from the need to not see each other before.
“First Sight - First Kiss”
Here are some good reasons why to see each other before:
- the bride is not stressed out after she sees her groom.
- everyone does not have to play hide and seek with the bride and groom before the ceremony.
- we take all the photographs before the ceremony so the couple, family and guests all get to the reception at the same time.
- we have natural light to make creative images of the bride and groom together unlike when they get married at 6 and the sun has already set after the wedding. we normally get a couple of flash pictures of the standing in front of the church and then they have to be rushed off to the reception. I believe that people hire Livermore Photography for our ability to creatively capture the bride and groom on their wedding day. If we don't have the time or natural light when we photograph, then we are not able to create the most stunning images of the bride and groom. Would you rather be photographed in a more peaceful setting before the ceremony, have the ceremony and then immediately go to your reception so you can great your guests when they arrive or would you would you rather be photographed when everyone is around you and everyone is in a hurry to get to the reception.
- the couple gets to see each other alone for the first time, instead of in front of hundreds of people. they can say things to each other and hug like they wouldn't be able to if they saw each other for the first time at the altar. The groom will say things to the bride that she will never forget because it was a no pressure situation. They wouldn't be able to speak if they were just seeing each other for the first time at the altar.
- the groom normally has a more genuine and breathtaking "look" on his face when he doesn't have three hundred guests staring at him as you walk down the aisle.
- there is 99% less stress on everyone involved in the wedding day.
So how does the “First Sight - First Kiss” work?
We keep the couple separated until they are fully dressed and ready. Depending on the choice of the bride and groom. It can work several ways. The couple above, chose for the Bride to stand in one location while the groom rounded a corner and walked towards the bride. Another way is would be for the groom stand at the front of the ceremony sight and have his back towards the bride. With only the groom is this room, the Bride’s father can escort her in or she can walk down the aisle alone. When the bride is ready she walks down towards the groom and tells the groom when he can turn around and take his first look at her in her stunning dress. This is where the magic begins, tears of joy, beautiful words, the feeling of peace and calm embrace the couple.
The bride and groom are no longer nervous and he was able to see her walking down the aisle as he always dreamed. We take a few images of the couple and then step back to the doorway of the ceremony site so the couple can have some privacy. When they are ready, we then start to photograph them privately at a distance ending up with photographing them close-up. The bride and groom photography is followed by the photography of the wedding party and various family groupings.
We do not mean to upset the bride, groom or even the parents when we ask for this decision of First Sight - Yes or No to the Bride and Groom. Please now that we are only doing this because we have seen it to be the best way for everyone.
Let us know if you have any questions about the “First Sight - First Kiss”!