First Sight
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.
Here are some good reasons to see each other:
For the Groom: Most grooms do not show much emotion in front of a large group.  Because it will be just you and him, it allows him to be more genuine and free in his expression.

For the Bride:  The bride tends not to be as stressed out after she sees her man.  We also do not have to play hide and seek.
For both:  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.

For the Wedding:
The photographs are taken before the ceremony so the couple gets to enjoy their reception and guests do not have to wait forever for the couple to arrive.
I use natural light to make stellar 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 1 flash picture of the standing in front of the church and then they have to be rushed off to the reception. I believe that people hire me for my ability to capture the bride and groom on the wedding day and if we don’t have the time or natural light I am not able to do this. The couple is normally disappointed in the 1 “traditional” picture they have of each other and so are we. Our creative flow is stopped when this happens.
So how does this work?
We keep the couple separated until they are fully dressed and ready. Once the bride is ready we send the groom to the front of the ceremony sight and have his back towards her with no one else in the room. Her father can escort her in or she can walk down the aisle alone. When she is ready she walks down and tells him when he can turn around and take his first look at her in her stunning dress. This is where the magic happens. Tears, beautiful words and relief hit 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. I take a few images and then step back to the doorway of the ceremony site so the couple can have some privacy. When they are ready we go photograph them privately and then start the wedding party and family pictures.
It really is a precious moment.  And just in case you were wondering, the groom still is beaming when he sees his bride walk down the aisle in the ceremony.  Check this out-

Let me know if you have any questions about First Sight.