Chances are, you've spent a year or so planning your wedding. You've chosen the ideal gown, hors d'oeuvres, entrée, flowers and band, among other things and no doubt, the perfect husband and you'll be lucky if you have five hours to take it all in at the reception. Now, after all those hours of organizing, do you really want to spend an hour taking pictures, when you could be enjoying the cocktails with your guests?

Nowadays, many brides are answering No to that question, and are taking their formal portraits before the ceremony. You'll be happy to know that many photographers are enthusiastic and in favor of pre-bridal portraits, too.

Pros & Cons

Pro — Some brides feel that formal portraits taken before your ceremony offer many advantages. First, the picture-taking happens more quickly and easily, as everyone is assembled in one place. Unlike picture-taking after the ceremony, when the bridal party and family members scatter in different directions, there's no searching for missing persons. There's no chasing around while time is wasting.

For example, your ceremony starts at 11:00 a.m. Your photographer simply arrives at the location, usually the ceremony site, and starts shooting at 9:00a.m.

Pro —Another benefit is that everyone's makeup and hair are fresh. Pre-ceremony formals offer your photographer more creative options. Of course, the most attractive advantage to pre-bridal portraits is that you'll be free to enjoy the rest of the day, and to be with your guests during cocktails. You've spent all this money for the perfect wedding formals, so why should you lose an hour for pictures?

The percentage of brides who have their formals done before the ceremony has skyrocketed to 20% in the past few years. This is due to the time constraints placed on the bride and groom on their wedding day.

Con-- However, some traditional brides still see this as a drawback, disappointed that their groom will see them before the altar in their wedding gown.

Pro — On the other hand, since many couples live together today, some grooms actually help the bride pick out her gown! More and more photographers agree that couples will benefit tremendously from making one small change, by taking pictures before the ceremony. In fact, some photographers have arranged to shoot formal wedding photographs of the bride and groom the day before the wedding. So, with all the anxiety at the ceremony, does a groom really savor the moment at the church, when his bride walks down the aisle?

Pro — Think of it this way: reorganizing your picture-taking lets you appreciate your wedding day all the more.

Con — However, some people think it puts too much stress on the bride. The bride has too much to think about. With a traditional approach. The groom should first see her at the ceremony.

Pro — One way to counteract this objection is for you and your fiancé to have a few minutes of privacy before your ceremony, and before the formals begin. This way, your groom can first see you outfitted in your gown and headpiece, and both of you can share your thoughts and feelings. You'll have this once-in-a-lifetime moment for yourself. Then, the shooting can begin!

Breaking Old Habits
If you still think you should shoot your formals after your ceremony, remember that you agree with the majority of brides. If you do choose to have the formals before your ceremony, you should plan your wedding day carefully. For example, if you want your portraits done at a special location before the ceremony, and not at the church or at your home, the site then becomes one more location that the bridal party has to visit. And, if one person's late, it throws everything off.
If you still choose to have your formals shot after your ceremony, why not consider having them taken after your wedding day? In one case, a couple couldn't take their preferred outdoor portraits because it rained on their wedding day. So, a few months later, they scheduled a shoot outdoors. The groom rented a tux and the bride simply put on her gown again!

Pre-Nuptial Studio Portraits

Pro — Another option is for you to take your formal bridal portraits in a studio several weeks or months before your wedding. The advantage is that you'll have the benefits of a studio portrait with lighting, on a traditional background.

Pro — You may discover your photographer enjoys shooting pre-bridal studio portraits, because he can do things such as multiple lighting. It will offer him a chance to experiment, and will allow you to try different makeup and hair styles. He will be able to produce a classy portraiture, since this earlier shoot allows extra time to be creative.

Engagement Portraits ---Engagement portraits offer brides yet another photo opportunity. Engagement portraits can be done in the studio or in special environments You will be pleased to discover many photographers will shoot your engagement portraits on location. When you do your research for your photographer, you should search for one who has that attitude of "Whatever the bride wants, I'll do." Sometimes the results are humorous. Once, when a groom gave his fiancé a rose, she put it between her teeth for a funny
shot. Yet another couple brought their dog, which they wanted in their pictures. The more personal your portraits, the better. Why not bring a prop or something that highlights your personality — a restored car (if the groom's an auto buff); a guitar (if you're a musician); or an easel (if one is a painter). Make this a picture you'll treasure.

Clever Options
An experienced photographer will shoot engagement portraits that can be used in several ways. One obvious way is in black-and-white, for newspaper announcements. Another option is to frame the portrait for your new home. A third, and more unusual option, is when he mounts a 16"x16" enlargement and surrounds it with a four-inch mat. Then, you'll place it at your reception, where guests sign the mat border instead of a guest book. Many brides find this version a much more worthy keepsake than a guest book.

Happy shooting!