When I meet with brides for the first time, I ask how they feel about seeing the groom before the wedding. Most have a very strong opinion on this. Shelby & Tim were no exception. They did not want to see each other first. So when ten days before the wedding I got an email talking about First Look, I was surprised.
One thing I have learned as a wedding photographer, is that plans change. They change two weeks before the wedding. They change the day of the wedding. They change as the wedding is happening. Shelby was actually my first bride to change her mind on this. I asked her lots of questions because I wanted to make sure they weren’t changing plans just to make the photography timing smoother. (I want photograph the wedding day as it happens, and don’t like to interfere with how a bride envisions her day.)
It turned out seeing each other first was something Shelby and Tim had decided they really wanted, and it worked out perfectly! Shelby was in the bridal lounge with her family, and Tim got ready down the hall with his best man. Tim then stood in the garden space behind a tall row of hedges, as Shelby walked up the stairs.
As a bride, I was insistent on not seeing my hubby until I walked down the aisle. I just had the idea of that moment in my head. I am not a traditionalist but it was one of those things. From what I see as a wedding photographer, it seems more than half of brides choose to do a first look before the wedding ceremony. I am constantly amazed by how special the moment is.
After Shelby & Tim saw each other we did formal portraits, and then the bride snuck away again before the guests arrived. The last photo is my favorite of this series. The flower girls were playing as we were gathering groups for the formals.
by Jessica
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