Are there any pre-ceremony traditions?

In years gone past it was regarded as being bad luck to see the bride before the ceremony.

This actually started from arranged marriages where it was believed that if a bride and groom saw each other before the big day they would have enough time to call off the wedding – if they wanted to of course.

Nowadays it’s fair to say couples know each other a lot better and are therefore less likely to flee the ceremony.  Seeing each other for the first time on their wedding day when the bride arrives at the ceremony to the waiting groom is often a highlight. Their reactions can be priceless, and good photographers will try hard to capture those moments – but it can be difficult.

The ‘reveal’ or ‘first look’ can instead be the first opportunity the couple get to see each other on their wedding day well before the formal ceremony. It provides a better chance for the photographer to capture the reactions of the couple seeing each other for the first time as a bride and groom, and provides them with a private opportunity for reflection and a quiet personal moment not watched by all their guests.  It can be done in a number of ways.  From the bride simply walking into a room where the groom is waiting, to holding hands out of sight of each other while standing on either side of an open door. Often this will be accompanied by exchanging a personal note or card not intended to be shared publicly.