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Photographing the Bride, Groom and Wedding Gown before the Wedding Ceremony

(Above photographs courtesy of Phil Farber)

As you can see from the stunning photographs from Chicago photographers Jai Girard and Phil Farber shown in today’s post (and two of our Chicago StrictlyWeddings.com partners), it is no longer unusual for the Bride and Groom to see each other before the wedding. How else could these photographers capture such a moment?

There’s no right or wrong as to whether you choose to let the groom see you and your wedding gown before you walk down the aisle, yet we think it’s a fabulous idea. You’ll see that these couples stepped out of the “traditional” box and let their photographers’ creativity shine. The end result? Impressive and oh so memorable photos that will last a lifetime (think about the story you get to tell your kids – a special place, a loving kiss, a joyful laugh).

(Above photographs courtesy of Jai Girard)

Whether you take photographs before the wedding or not keep the following ideas in mind:

WHAT IS ROMANCE? Let your photographer understand what is romance for you two. Is it that one moment when the bride and groom see one other for the first time? Is it a special place? A time of day? Let your love for one another take center stage. No matter what the setting, this will definitely come across in the photographs.

PHOTOGRAPH THE MOMENT. Photographing the moment can entail very different approaches. Trust your photographer to know the moment.

AT THE CEREMONY BUT NOT DURING. For couples who would like their photographs before the ceremony but want the aura and mystique of the wedding setting, they can combine the two. Allow close family members to sit in the pews while you stand in the aisle. It can be a very intimate and special experience for you both, as well as for your loved ones.

DO IT YOUR WAY. Whichever route you take, make sure it is determined solely by your vision of your wedding. Scheduling photographs should never be determined by the photographer for the sake of convenience. Some may suggest to you that you should meet before the ceremony “while the makeup is still fresh” in order to get good pictures. Meeting for that reason alone would be a mistake. Be true to your heart. You can depend on your wedding photographer to get memorable shots no matter when you see each other or where the setting.