Wedding Traditions:  Seeing One Another Before the Ceremony
Guest Post by: John Knowles from Times to Remember Photography

Weddings, regardless of where in the world they take place, are full of ceremony, custom, and tradition.  They are the things that connect us to the past, and provide us with a link to something that remains the same as other things change over the ages.  While planning their wedding, a couple will face many decisions regarding these traditions.  One decision that is sure to cause a great deal of debate and discussion is whether the bride and groom will see one another before the ceremony.

So where did this tradition come from in the first place?  It’s based on an ancient Roman practice of arranged marriages.  Weddings were often arranged by the families of the bride and groom for financial or political gain.  The couple was rarely involved in the planning of the wedding, and would often not even know one another.

Since both families had a great deal to loose, the groom was not allowed to see the bride before the marriage for fear that he would refuse to marry if he didn’t like how the bride looked.  The bride was veiled from head to toe on her wedding day, and only after the wedding ceremony was complete was the groom allowed to see her for the first time.  As time passed, this practice turned into tradition, and superstition crept into the mix.  Even to this day, many consider it bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding.

There is nothing wrong with the decision to keep with tradition.  Many couples feel that it adds to the excitement and anticipation of the wedding day.  They look forward to seeing one another for the first time as the bride is escorted down the aisle by her father.

For those who wish to forgo tradition, there are some wonderful opportunities to create a special memory and help your wedding day run much smoother.  A very popular option is to have a private meeting.  This gives the couple a few minutes alone together, usually five to fifteen minutes, to really get a good look at each other, talk, and exchange gifts.  The thrill of seeing one another for the first time is still there, and it’s a more intimate moment that they will remember forever.  This meeting can put both bride and groom at ease and eliminate some stress about what is going to happen.  It may also be the only private time the couple may get the whole day.

Seeing one another before the ceremony also allows the couple the opportunity to complete all the formal photography.  Photos will look great because everyone is fresh and ready to go.  Nobody has had a chance to get gowns or tuxedos dirty, wrinkled, or torn.  All the makeup, hair, and flowers are still perfect, and any children in the wedding party haven’t worn out yet.  Since all the photos will be done early, the couple will be able to move directly to the reception after the wedding.  You will be able to take off in the limo and not have to come right back for photos.  This translates into more time to spend greeting and speaking with guests during the cocktail hour.  Your guests will appreciate not having to wait while you are still back at the church taking pictures.

As a wedding photographer, I see couples struggle with the decision to see one another all the time.  I will often council the couple and provide advice to help them make a choice, but ultimately it is the couple’s decision.  They should make the choice that fits their family traditions, personalities, and style.

Post written by:

John Knowles
www.ttrphoto.com
info@ttrphoto.com