Groom & Bride together before ceremony?

[*Ashley*]

I couldn't think of a good title, LOL.

Are y'all going to see your FH before the ceremony? If not, is it because you believe it's bad luck?

I don't want Michael to see me because I want him to have his breath taken away when I walk down the aisle and because I've heard it's bad luck. I'm not superstitious, but I'd rather not take my chances. His parents were weird about that when I said it, but then they were being weird that day. And, they didn't see eachother that day so I couldn't figure it out.

What about y'all? Yay or nay to seeing eachother before the ceremony? Why or why not? Do you know the reasoning behind the tradition?

[*TanyaJeanne*]

I would love to not see chris before the ceremony, but it is impossible. We don't have time to take pictures after the ceremony so we will be doing them before hand in the morning.
We will have our special "meeting" so that it can be captured. I am hoping chris and I still feel like we haven't seen each other yet when I am walking down the aisle.

[Deidre98]

We aren't...but I really don't know the reason why. It was just something we agreed upon from the beginning.

[Deidre98]

Ashley, BTW, love the new siggy!!! How did you do that?

[*TanyaJeanne*]

Ashley, BTW, love the new siggy!!! How did you do that?

Haha I was just going to say the same thing! I love it! I think she just started making them....she seems like a pro though!

[Deidre98]

Great minds think alike T2!!

[*Ashley*]

LOL, I made it :) I like everything to match more or less so I may change it down the road to match the two pinks. Not sure. Thanks though, I had fun making it! The poloroid looking picture is just a brush I have for photoshop.

I don't want Michael to see me :) I really don't so I hope it works out that way!

[fizbobunny]

I wanted to see him before the ceremony. I wanted that first moment to be set up so I could see his face, plus we would be able to hug and such. If he sees you first at the ceremony, you can't squeel and act super excited. Plus, I rode into the ceremony on a carriage, so would not have been able to see his face or reaction otherwise. It worked out great cause we got so many pictures done before the ceremony even started.

eta: pic of when he first saw me, I have another that is a closeup of his face, but it's at work
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/fizbobunny/233.jpg

[Jaci]

We have to see each other before the ceremony too, because of photos and I don't want to make my guests wait so long (because we are taking a horse-drawn carriage too, so that's going to add onto the time). We are also setting up the "first glance" so that we can capture his first reaction when he sees me.

[rowanmayfairs]

I dont' consider it bad luck to see each before hand..

but its something we both agreed on :) I want to see the look on his face when I walk down the aisle to become his wife (now this statement brings tears of joy to my eyes).

James even wants to block off the windows (with paper) to the ceremoney rooom doors so no one can see me (including him) until I open the doors to walk in.

[MrsAbi]

We're not seeing each other before the wedding for the same reason as Rmenda. I just love that romantic idea of that magical moment.

The doors to our ceremony have curtains things on them, so well have the big, dramatic door opening.

[*meghan*]

We are not going to see each other before the ceremony. Brent and I were both very adamant(sp?) about that! We just think it will be more special to see each other for the first time when I'm walking down the aisle :)

[carolinalady67]

We also will not see each other before. Not because of the bad luck thing just because as others have said I want that surprise of seeing each other for the first time when I walk in.

[belle67]

We are not going to see each other before the ceremony. Brent and I were both very adamant(sp?) about that! We just think it will be more special to see each other for the first time when I'm walking down the aisle :)
That's how we feel as well. :agree:

[Baconsmom]

We're doing pictures beforehand, so we'll definitely see each other. But really, we've been living together for three years and have a two-year-old - He's my best friend in the world, and it's bad enough we can't be together the night before because of our consistently late family members needing to be wrangled.

Also, the whole tradition is from the time of arranged marriages, when a man might bolt before marrying the woman because she was ugly. Not exactly romantic, is it?

[lizaanne]

We will not see each other the day before or the day of, until I walk down the aisle. I love the idea of this, the more I think of it! How exciting!!! And we are not having a rehearsal, so when he sees me coming down the aisle to him, it will truly be the first time.

Oh my - gets me all flustered just thinking of it!!!! hehehe

~Liza

[Noelle]

Well, we saw each other before the wedding. We did pictures beforehand, and I wanted to have the first time we saw each other to be a private moment. Those are some of my favorite pictures. It also helped de-stress me on our wedding day! :)

[Lela]

No way, man, he's not seeing me until I walk down the aisle. Not because of the superstition but because I want that magical moment of everybody looking at us but we only see each other because it's the first time that day to see each other and the first time in our wedding finery and all that. I want the pictures of his face the first time he sees me to be in the nice, decorated auditorium, too- the other rooms in our church building where we might see each other wouldn't make for good pictures.

Kellen wants to do pictures before so we can see each other and not waste time after the ceremony, but I keep saying no. And I'm not moving on this one!

[Angela]

See, I really wanted some private, alone time before the ceremony. He doesn't! He wants the first time he sees me that day to be when I'm walking down the aisle. I did finally convince him that we should talk at least once before though--no one can calm me down like he can!

[Jaime]

We saw each other, but it was by accident.. they forgot the bouts and had to come back up the hill to get them, and he saw me.. I was not dressed yet. I don't think it is bad luck per say, I just did not want him seeing me in my gown before hand. We got married outdoors and he walked my Mom down the aisle, we had to plan it specifically so he would be far enough away down the hill so he would not see me.

[Rebecca]

I want the traditional "no seeing the bride before the wedding" thing but we are thinking of paying for an hour in the gardens at a castle near the church before the ceremony...I want pictures of us together here and there are so many other pictures we want to take between the ceremony and the reception! Still not decided...my FH is the one not wanting to break tradition but I want the pictures and have seen so many great "special meeting" pictures. Also I have heard from so many brides that even if you do the meeting before nothing will take away from that moment of walking down the aisle!

[jillian]

I was considering taking some pictures before the ceremony, but he is completely against it!

[wendy9879]

We're spending the night before apart and agreed to see each other right before the ceremony. I think we'll be less nervous being able to spend a few moments together before walking down the aisle.

[Christa]

I wouldn't care if we saw each other but he doesn't want to

[HisBlue]

We saw eachother before, BUT that was before either one of us were dressed for the ceremony. See, we didn't have alot of people to help us get the last little bit set up so we both got up EARLY in the morning and met at the church for last minute preparations... Then my MOH whisked me away and everyone was watchful to keep us apart until I walked down the isle... At one point my friend PUSHED him out of the room because I was walking down the hallway... LOL it was funny.

I don't think it's bad luck, but I'm glad we didn't see eachother dressed up until that moment... that was such a nice rush!

[Katnye]

Initially, I thought I would want to see DH before the wedding. I absolutely loved the private time photos I had seen from others' weddings. After talking about it with DH, he told me he didn't want to see me before the ceremony--so we didn't! I still absolutely love the private times pictures I've seen, but seeing DH for the first time while I was walking down the aisle was definitely worth it!

[Stitch's girl]

FH and I already own a house together, and we will be staying there together the night before, and spending the day of the wedding together until I need to go get hair/make-up done. We are taking pics before the ceremony too. But we are going to get ready and go to the site seperately (we live 15 minutes from ceremony/reception site) so that the photographer can capture us seeing each other in the wedding attire for the first time. It would just seem really unnatural for us to seperate all day, and we help keep each other calm, so it is better for us this way.

[Venus]

We spend the night and the morning together, then he got ready and my cousin took him to the site. Then I got ready and didnt arrive until it was just time to walk in. From the big bear tears rolling down his face it was so way worth it not to have him see me before.

[*heather*]

We got ready together, but I was wearing a different dress. I changed after a little bit and then we had the ceremony, so I got to hang out with my favorite person and calming influence, and also surprise him in my white dress. :)

For some, the heightened tension is exciting. For me, it would just be stressful.

[*Ashley*]

Yay! I'm glad there are others that feel the same way I do. I want that moment!

He's staying at our apartment the night before the wedding I'm sure (which he'll LOVE because he'll have the whole bed to himself, LOL) and I'm staying at a hotel with my mom and MaOH. That way we can all get up and get gorgeous the next day together and I won't see him :)

I can't WAIT. I'm ready to get married right now.

[mswordwiz]

Since we are already married, I explained to the big guy that the tradition did not apply. It was the photographer who finally explained it to him that it would be better all the way around to do pics beforehand. That is what sold him on this idea.

[angie]

We'll see each other before the wedding. We won't have a lot of time between ceremony and reception for pictures. It just seems best to take them before the ceremony. It also allows our bridal party to enjoy the cocktail hour.

[Trinia]

We will see each other before the ceremony, I would also like to have that wow factor but dont think it needs to be done while walking down the isle.
We will have private time before the ceremony and the formal pictures are taken as to get the special pictures.

The reason we are seeing each other beforehand is because we would like our ceremony to be later in the day, Going straight from the ceremony to the reception.

[Kya]

ITA! With Ashely here.

[Aubrey]

We saw each other before the ceremony; we did it that way to get a lot of pictures taken beforehand (our ceremony and reception were at the same place, so we didn't want to keep our guests waiting a long time!). We did have a sort of 'private time' thing before the ceremony though where we saw each other, so it wasn't bad.

[Poloke]

FH believes its bad luck to see me before i walk down the aisle, so that will be the first time he sees me that day.

I don't mind, thats how i want it too.

[sweetiez]

we wont be seeing each other :)
Its tradition in my family not too. Everyone in my family always has waitted. And just because of the super surprise. :) .
He also doesn't want me to see hem either. Its something we both want :).
The day before the only time we will see each other is at the reharsal /groom dinner! :) I'll be so excited then . ;)

[Hughto]

We will not see each other before. Sort of because of the tradition of it, but more so because I want to walk in and be a big surprise to him!

[Raychel]

I think we might have to and I'm not exactly happy about this.
B/c we're getting married in a chapel in TN, the officiant generally wants to meet with you right before the wedding for a kind of super quick "this is how things are going to happen" type of thing. I am trying to find a way to get around this. I'm not superstitous about the whole thing...I just really want the first time he sees me that day to be when I am walking down the aisle.

[Noelle]

We DID see each other before the wedding. We were actually together until midnight or after the night before the wedding -- long story -- anyway, we were planning to see each other before the wedding due to pictures. My dad is a photographer, and kinda urged to do pictures before hand because of time constraints. We had a special time together where it was him, me, and the photog. when we saw each other for the first time. Those are some of my FAVORITE pics from the day. I also think it helped to ease the nerves before the actual ceremony!!!

[QueenElizabeth22]

Nate and I will wait to see each other until the doors at the back of the church are opened and my dad walks me down the aisle...I just love the idea that there will be a big moment! :) Plus, I think Nate has an idea in his head of how my dress is, and it is nothing like what he is expecting, so I think it will be a BIG surprise and magical moment!

[Mandy]

We saw each other before the ceremony. We had gone all day without seeing each other, but we had a dramatic "reveling" when we took pictures at the Capitol building. I waited in the rotunda of our BEAUTIFUL capitol, and he hid behind a pillar. There were tons of people who came over to the sides to see! People were taking pictures and everything. Then, as soon as our photogrpaher had everything set up, Chad came out of hiding and we saw one another. It was amazing.

But, when I walked down the aisle, it was no less as breath-taking and amazing as it was when we had seen each other hours before. We both sitll cried and he commented on how amazing he thought I looked again. I honestly don't think you loose the "wow" factor by seeing one another :).

Some pictures from the Capitol
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7df39b3127cce80bf2cde1f7e00000016100AbOWzZu1YtG JA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7df39b3127cce80bf2fc0dec900000016100AbOWzZu1YtG JA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7df39b3127cce80bf2c439ed300000016100AbOWzZu1YtG JA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7df39b3127cce80bf2d71de7900000015130AbOWzZu1YtG JA

[Renny]

We were orignally not going to see each other but last night we were talking and I told Tom that because of having only about 3 1/2 hours for the reception that I wanted to see him before the wedding and take our pics then.

He agreed, but I also want to do a special "reveling" for the first time he sees me. I am really looking forward to those special moments before I walk down the isle to calm my nerves, I'm still going to feel that awwww moment walking down because I know at that moment I am becoming his wife in every fashion.

Mandy- I love the pics of yall at the Capitol.

[Mandy]

Thanks Reeny! That's exactly what I wanted too. My nerves were shot, and no one can calm them like my DH. It didn't take away from the walk down the aisle at all. Good luck to you :)

[Renny]

Thanks Mandy!

and BTW I love love love your dress, I've seen it a few times and it's just amazing.

[Mandy]

Thanks! It was a stroke of luck for sure! I found it a week before the wedding on sale for $49! It didn't need alterations and it was my dream dress!

[Renny]

now that was a blessing :D and an awesome deal.

[Allyson]

Luke will definitely NOT be seeing me before the ceremony. I want him to see me for the first time on our wedding day as I'm walking down the aisle. It's always one of the most beautiful moments during the ceremony when the groom sees the bride for the first time and that look of amazement glazes over his face. LOL

[Dmsangel]

I want to do some pictures before the ceremony. The C is at 5:30, then a cocktail hour from 6-7, then introductions etc. I want to have some time before everything starts, so I don't want to be taking pictures the entire time 6-7. Plus, who knows if they'd only be an hour or go over.

However, my fiance is HUGELY against it. Will barely even let me try to speak my case. I keep trying to think of ways to convince him. I'm hoping the photographer helps.

[Winter_Bride]

We didn't see each other - We both wanted the dramatic moment of the doors opening and us seeing each other for the first time as I came down that aisle. And it was so worth it!

Not to mention, due to time contraints between the ceremony and reception location, we had a LOT of time between the two events to take pictures.

What we did that I thought was really important was that we had about half an hour at the reception site where it was just the two of us - the photographer wasn't even there. And we had some alone time to relax and enjoy what the day was symbolic of :)

[IneedCaffeine]

I'm really hoping that we can work it out so that we don't see each other. Our wedding (god/dess willing) will be at a park and the only thing standing in that area is a fiberglass castle..and only the front half of that lol. So there won't really be anywhere for me to hide unless we set something up. I know that the pictures will be taken after the ceremony though. It's not because of luck that I want him to wait to see me until I'm walking down the isle, it's because I really want his breath to be taken away. Tears and all *hehe* yeah right.

[Jaci]

We were orignally not going to see each other but last night we were talking and I told Tom that because of having only about 3 1/2 hours for the reception that I wanted to see him before the wedding and take our pics then.

He agreed, but I also want to do a special "reveling" for the first time he sees me. I am really looking forward to those special moments before I walk down the isle to calm my nerves, I'm still going to feel that awwww moment walking down because I know at that moment I am becoming his wife in every fashion.

Mandy- I love the pics of yall at the Capitol.

When I'm talking to a bride and they are unsure of how they want things to go, I do my best to get them to decide to see each other before the ceremony. I know it goes against tradition, but the truth of the matter is, the way our packages are set up, it is a huge waste of money to not see each other before. Plus, the pictures afterwords, I've actually LOST members of the bridal party and family to the bar! Can you believe that? It is just sad, but in reality, no one's mind is on taking pictures after the ceremony, they just all want to get to the reception, (and tap the kegs :D) as sad as that sounds.

I already responded, but we did see each other beforehand, though we did the "reveal" photos too. Those are really nice to do, and sometimes they end up being the only time the bride and groom are alone together all day.

[Winter_Bride]

When I'm talking to a bride and they are unsure of how they want things to go, I do my best to get them to decide to see each other before the ceremony. I know it goes against tradition, but the truth of the matter is, the way our packages are set up, it is a huge waste of money to not see each other before. Plus, the pictures afterwords, I've actually LOST members of the bridal party and family to the bar! Can you believe that? It is just sad, but in reality, no one's mind is on taking pictures after the ceremony, they just all want to get to the reception, (and tap the kegs :D) as sad as that sounds.

It's GREAT to get an "Industry Professional"'s opinion! And you have a GREAT point - it's tradition not to, but it's the best way to be garunteed everyone's there!

[Jaci]

Yes, most people don't realize the downfalls of it, as unfortunate as it is. Plus nowdays, people are trying to not make their guests wait (that was a big thing with our decision, we didn't want our guests waiting) and photos afterwards can take up to an hour, maybe an hour an a half, then you have your photographer setting up their equipment twice (which takes 20-30 minutes each time), once before the ceremony to take those pictures of each side individually, and then taking down their equipment twice. It just stinks how much time it takes up!

[Jaime]

When I'm talking to a bride and they are unsure of how they want things to go, I do my best to get them to decide to see each other before the ceremony. I know it goes against tradition, but the truth of the matter is, the way our packages are set up, it is a huge waste of money to not see each other before. Plus, the pictures afterwords, I've actually LOST members of the bridal party and family to the bar! Can you believe that? It is just sad, but in reality, no one's mind is on taking pictures after the ceremony, they just all want to get to the reception, (and tap the kegs :D) as sad as that sounds.

I already responded, but we did see each other beforehand, though we did the "reveal" photos too. Those are really nice to do, and sometimes they end up being the only time the bride and groom are alone together all day.

Yep, it's true, our BP scattered like flies after the ceremony so we missed out on tons of pics that way :disbelief:

[Dmsangel]

Jaci...I wish you could talk to my fiance!!

[nikkiscott]

I want to see Scott before the ceremony. I think that would make for some great pics.....sometimes I thats all I think about is if it will make a good pic. But Scott doesn't want to see before the ceremony. He wants to see me for the first time as I walk down the isle. I can't wait. Just thinking about it makes me tear up. I know there will be some crying.

[Renny]

Yes, most people don't realize the downfalls of it, as unfortunate as it is. Plus nowdays, people are trying to not make their guests wait (that was a big thing with our decision, we didn't want our guests waiting) and photos afterwards can take up to an hour, maybe an hour an a half, then you have your photographer setting up their equipment twice (which takes 20-30 minutes each time), once before the ceremony to take those pictures of each side individually, and then taking down their equipment twice. It just stinks how much time it takes up!

That's exactly what I told Tom. I know with the weddings I've done it's really a pain for the guests to have to wait, atleast with a cocktail hour it's a little better (we arn't planning one of these so it's rude to make people wait IMO). One wedding I did in Sept the bride was dead set on pics after the ceremony, well she hired me 2 weeks before so there wasn't changing anything since everything was set with locations and photographers, etc. BUT she had a 3+ hour difference because she made them take the pics at a state park. The guests were tired and ready to leave the reception before it got started good, and several of the older guests left before the exit could be made. Having the pics done ahead of time could have saved alot of the guest grief IMO.

We will have a few pics taken after the wedding, since our guest list is small I am going to get one of everyone together, and then a few as we walk through the park as a group.

[bmhetz2]

We are going to do the pictures beforehand. I like the idea of having some private time for us to see each other for the first time. We are doing it that way because we will feel less rushed and want to have plenty of time to visit with the guests that came to visit us.

[Heather107]

Mike and I both agreed to do pictures before the ceremony. The ceremony and reception are at the same place and we are having a cocktail hour after the ceremony. We don't want to spend this time away from our guests. The cocktail hour is going to give us time to talk to our guests so we can enjoy our dinner/dancing, etc. We are going to plan a special meeting with just the two of us (and the photographer, so he can get pictures)before our family and bridal party come out to take pictures.

[rowanmayfairs]

We didn't want to see each other before the ceremony. I got dressed, my mom & sister picked me up for our hair appt. Then we didn't see each other again until i walked down the aisle.

We feed our guests and let them mingle, talk while we took some quick pictures so they weren't sitting around bored.

Our photographer didn't have any equipment to "setup"..she had a couple of cameras (her assistant held onto one) and she carried around the other. So she was able to keep walking and snapping pictures.

i knew I only had my photographer for a set amount of time and wanted to make the most of that time so I tried to schedule all the pictures I wanted taken before she left.

I don't think the guests cared since we didn't take that long to take pictures and they were able to eat & drink in the meantime. The reception was held in the same building and we only walked outside to take pictures.

[*Ashley*]

Luke will definitely NOT be seeing me before the ceremony. I want him to see me for the first time on our wedding day as I'm walking down the aisle. It's always one of the most beautiful moments during the ceremony when the groom sees the bride for the first time and that look of amazement glazes over his face. LOL

You put this perfectly :) That's exactly how I feel!

[Raychel]

We ended up being together the whole day before the ceremony. Looking back I would have never done it any differently. It was so fun to have him there the whole day and riding to the chapel together...

"Are you nervous?"
"Um yeah, are you?
"Yeah"

Hehehe

I don't know, it was just great to share that time.

After I was in my dress and stuff though, he didn't see me until I was walking down that aisle.

[Jelly Bean]

We saw each other before the ceremony but not in our outfits.

[Renny]

We were supposed to take pics together but well that didn't happen however we did wake up together and spent the morning together until it was time for him to go to the wedding location.

I wouldn't change a thing about waking up and spending time with him and had we been able to take pics before hand I would have.

[*Sarah*]

The plan for now is to do a majority of our pictures before the ceremony so we will be seeing each other all dressed up before the ceremony. I think the moment he sees me ready to walk down the aisle will still be meaningful because the dress and hair and everything will be in context.

[Kathy]

I think we're going to do pictures before the ceremony, while it's still light outside (remember, it will be January, when it's dark by 5:00). I want our first moments together captured, though, and I'm sure that it will still be a special moment when he first sees me coming down the aisle. Honestly, I probably won't be nervous/freaking out until that moment, anway :lol: so that'll still be a huge moment

[nikkiscott]

We ended up seeing each other before the wedding. I was staying in a bathroom while he was getting family pictures taken before hand. Then when people started coming in we took off back to the bathroom. Scott was goofing around and came down to bethroom and saw me. It was great seeing him before hand. He just gave a me a wink and that was it. He looked great.

[Fellnlove92203]

FH and I will not be seeing each other until I walk down the aisle. We plan on taking all the pics except for the ones of us together (and bp and family) before the ceremony. But after the rd until the time I walk down the aisle, fh will not see me. We will be however talk on the phone (per fh request).

[Rebecca]

Now that the wedding is over, I have to say not staying with Tim the night before the wedding was perfect for us! The entire week before the wedding (we got married in NC and live in MN) we both were at our parents homes so we hardly saw each other which made each time we did see each other even better! I loved coming to the RD and seeing him for the first time that day and the wedding day especially!

[KelciAlexandra]

we want to spend the night before the wedding apart and the whole day before the wedding but we gotta figure a way on how to do that because we're (the WHOLE wedding party) staying at the lodge on the grounds where we're getting married. . . maybe i'll just make FH stay in the room with his groomsmen while i take the suit and have my MaOH stay with me ;)

[Crystal]

We didn't see each other before the ceremony. That is how DH wanted it.

[Emily]

We saw each other beforehand...no bad luck so far...

[*Ashley*]

We didn't see each other, and everyone at the church knew I was very adamant about that -- EVERYONE was actually, we all wanted it to be a surprise. We were very careful -- his BM was running defense, my bridesmaids were keeping me away from him, the coordinator -- everyone! I am so, so, SO glad that I didn't see him. Mine wasn't for luck, it was for the fact that I wanted me in my dress to be a surprise.

I'll write about it in my WDS when I get a chance, but I have a picture the photographer took of his face when he first saw me. He told me he was so blown away he almost cried, but held it together -- Michael doesn't cry...ever :) I achieved exactly what I wanted to!

[Sk8ermaiden]

We woke up next to each other, I gave him instructions on where stuff went, kissed him and didn't see him again until the walk. I spoke to him at least 15 times on the phone though.

You could say I'm not superstituous or traditional.

[Heather107]

We saw each other before the ceremony two different times. The first time was at 6:30am in our hotel room when I woke up to leave and get ready for the day. He was still half asleep so probably didn't see me anyway. The second time was at the ceremony location. The photographer had him standing where he stood during the ceremony and I walked out to him. I felt it was just as good, if not better, as if it was the actual ceremony. It was a nice private moment we got to share. When it was time to walk down the aisle, it still felt like we were seeing each other for the first time anyway.

[Golden Circus Girl]

We didn't see each other beforehand. I wanted the "big entrance." If I were doing it again the more practical side of me would have done it just to get the pictures out of the way. :lol:

[beachyarmygal]

Nope. I don't want him to see me or my dress before the wedding. I want to see the look on his face when i am walking with my dad, and if he cries, i don't wanna be the only one to see it ;)

[Kiera]

I don't want Jake seeing me at all before the ceremony.

I've heard that it's bad luck, but mostly I want him to have that stunend first reaction when I walk down the aisle.

[hellobethie]

mostly I want him to have that stunend first reaction when I walk down the aisle.

ME TOO!!
I figure he gave me the moment when he proposed, the least I can do is give him the one where he gets to see me when I walk down the aisle!

[Winter_Bride]

Awww! That's so well put, Beth!

[BASIA]

My cousin just got married couple weeks ago and the saw each other before the ceremony, and because the father of the bride could not be there (from another country) the walked together up/down the aisle and it was perfect. They also did pictures before ceremony!

[future_mrs_abner]

We have decided to see each other before the ceremony. We are going to take about 30 mins before everything begins. We are both the type of people that need that "breathing time" before things get crazy. I'm sure my nerves will be nuts, and nobody can fix that like him. Seeing as how this will be our last few minutes to relax and take everything in until we leave for the honeymoon, we see it as very fitting for us.
We are going to have the photographer there with us to catch the look on his face, and to take a few shots of our first moments after seeing each other.
Our wedding is also outdoors, and I will be coming in on a horse drawn carriage, down a hill, in full view of everyone. So he will be able to see me long before I can see his face. Another good reason for us to have this private time together. I want a close up view of his expression :)

[TenThirteen]

My hubby and I saw each other before the ceremony. We got all our pictures out of the way before the ceremony so that there wasn't a large "lag time" inbetween the ceremony and the reception. I hated waiting at friends' weddings so I wanted to make sure everyone could party right away!