Just You and I

What is Just You and I?

 Just You and I is when the bride and groom see each other before the ceremony.  Please don’t say “NO WAY”  without reading all of this.

I was researching why the bride and groom don’t see each other prior to the wedding and this is what i found out.  This tradition began years ago when arranged marriages were the norm.  So by years I mean biblical!  The reason from “hiding from on another” was because the bride’s family gained “wealth”  from marrying off their daughter to a family of “higher” means.  The family was afraid if he saw her before and thought she was not very beautiful, he would refuse to marry her.  And now you know why brides wear veils.  The veil back then was not see through.  They did not want him to see her face til after the “i do’s”! 

Traditional beliefs now say it’s bad luck and the bride and groom will have bad luck through the whole marriage.  This also goes back to the beginning.  It was bad luck for the bride if he saw her and didn’t like her.

So now that we know the “whys” we have to look at today.  Most people no longer practice arranged marriages.  So now you know what each other look like.  And I know how important it is to have that moment of “first seeing” each other.  So this is how it works.

You will stay seperated until you are both dressed.  Once you are ready, I will take the groom to the alter…or another location of your choosing.  He will stand with his back turned.  When she is ready, the bride enters. She walks toward him and when she is ready, she tells him to turn around. That’s when the magic happens! A flood of emotions, tears, smiles, laughter and joy.  And the big weight is then removed from your shoulders!!!  You can relax and enjoy the rest of your day!

The location for Just You and I is totally up to the bride and groom.  But with the groom not having to worry about 300 people staring at him when he first sees you, his true emotions come out!  It’s something you will cherish together forever!  Normally during Just You and I, we are alone.  (Just the three of us)  However, if you choose to have family memebers or your father escort you still, it’s completely up to you.

After getting a few shots of the moment, I step back and give you a few minutes to yourselves.  Once you are ready, we head out to do your Mr. and Mrs. session.  I spend about 45 minutes getting awesome shots of  ya’ll together.  Then we head back to the group and finish up the group and family shots. 

What does this do for you? Once the wedding is over, you get to head straight for the reception with your guests!!!  You’re guests will think you are the smartest couple ever for not having to wait!!!

Another reason I love doing this, is because the majority of weddings I do are at night.  After the ceremony, there is not alot of time for pictures of the bride and groom.  Not to mention very little light to shoot by!!!  That leaves you with the “tradional” style portrait and that is not why you hired me!  You won’t be pleased with it and neither will I.

I understand this will not be for everyone.  And there are those out there that will totally disagree with me.  I respect that and will do anything my bride and groom want.  It’s your day! 

But Just You and I is an extremely emotional part of your day.  And when it’s over, you can take a deep breath, relax and enjoy the rest of your day!!  Because this is the most important and special day of your life!!!