Posted on November 28, 2010
This week I joined Esther + Chris on New Providence island in the Bahamas for an amazing beachside wedding. Being that they are from Toronto and I am from Portland, I think we were all as eager to get into the sun! It was an amazing, intimate wedding with their closest friends and family members.
Posted on November 17, 2010
Jessica + Jeff from Scott McNamara on Vimeo.
Posted on November 15, 2010
As a professional that is a part of many weddings every year, a lot of people ask my opinion on what works and what doesn’t. Recently I was asked what I thought about the Bride and Groom seeing each other before the ceremony. So, I will share my thoughts with my blog friends.
Let me caveat this with the fact I am far more “progressive” when it comes to wedding stuff. I mean, on one of my recent shoots, I had the Bride in the mud along the Willamette River.
Waiting for the ceremony has a certain magic to it. There is a tension that is palpable – the bride sneaking a fleeting view of her Groom-to-be, or the groom anxiously awaiting at the altar. Plus, it keeps with one of many wedding traditions that people have come to expect. And, from the weddings I shoot, it just seems like fun to keep everything a secret until that big moment.
But, there are a lot of very cool moments when the B&G decide to see each other for the first time far from the eyes of the audience, and enjoy some fleeting moments together before that pinnacle moment in their new lives together. Recently, Jessica and Jeff met in a field, far from the wedding location. While the sun was lower in the sky, Jeff slowly made his way to Jessica as she stood in waist high grasses, waiting for her man. It was really cool to see.
And, don’t forget the schedule benefits of seeing each other first. Formal shots can be done before the ceremony, allowing you to hang out and be social with your guests right after the ceremony. And, that gets the party started a lot earlier. Plus, your photographer can still steal you away for a few minutes later in the evening when the light has changed and you could probably use a break alone.
Basically, it boils down to what is most important to you – sticking with tradition or having more time with guests and each other. Personally, as a photographer, I like being with the couple before the ceremony as it affords me more time to shoot – and more of those really cool moments with the couple.
Bottom line? It’s your day. Do what feels right.
Jessica + Jeff steal away for some private moments before their ceremony.