How the tradition came about…
It was also a widely accepted tradition in years past for parents to choose brides and grooms for their children - arranged marriages they called them. While the tradition has, for the most part, faded away in this country (and we"re glad for it having done so!), the practices resulting from such arranged marriages have not. It was not uncommon for a groom to meet his bride during the wedding ceremony; hence the family of the bride spent a great deal of time preparing her for this first and most important presentation. Seeing her beforehand might bring back luck, in that the groom may no longer desire to marry if he were unhappy with what he saw.

The benefits of seeing each other beforehand…
I am often asked if a couple should see each other before a wedding or not. My answer is always a resounding YES!!! I well understand the importance of that first look at the bride, the first eye to eye contact as the groom stands poised at the front of the church and the bride enters the aisle; however, the same affect is captured on the wedding day when the dressed bride and groom meet for the first time before the ceremony. The results are pleasantly surprising; both the bride and groom become immediately calmed, and the stress of the day disappears. It seems a comforting thing for couples to spend a quiet moment or two before this life altering event. Another great result: your photos will be better!!! Seeing each other beforehand means the photographer can spend more time photographing those wonderful intimate moments between you and your fiancé as the minutes tick down to your formal uniting. Whether you choose to stick to tradition or bend the rules to suit your desires, remember it is YOUR wedding. In the end, it will be beautiful either way.