Wedding pics before ceremony?

so here's the deal...
my wedding is going to be in the evening. probably 5:00 pm in october. because of this, there is only light in the day for an hour after..basically until 6:00 pm. that gives an hour. i want to use that hour to get pics of me, groom, and the bridal party and family.
we decided we could NOT shoot pictures of just the two of us after the ceremony because we do not want to be rushed and plus, the place where we want pics done of just the two of us will be 30 min. away! there is no way we can have the ceremony at 5:00 pm drive 30 minutes....take close to an hour to get all the pics we want..and then drive back 30 minutes to the ceremony site and then take pics of the bridal party and such. there is not enough time and we cannot make our guests wait over an hour to eat.
SO we decided we would get pictures done of just the two of us in the location that we want BEFORE the ceremony around 3:00 pm (cuz my sister-in-law is the photographer)

...and she says that's the best time to start pictures. what do you all think about the pictures before the ceremony of the two of us? i know it will be a lot less stressful for us and pictures r very important to me and i dont want to be rushed w/ them. are there any other options with an evening wedding?!

I'm not sure what your actual question is but RELAX.

We did all of our pictures before our ceremony. It took away a lot of stress. We set up a "first meeting" moment where my husband and I saw each other for the first time (instead of during the ceremony). I don't regret it at all.

To the answerer 2 below me...you don't need to pretend that the pictures were taken of you after you were married. They are just pictures of you on your wedding day.

I wouldn't do it - I agree with NeedWed - you will always know you are not married in those pictures. To me, it would make a difference.
Maybe you could have a 3 p.m. ceremony, be done and gone by 4, then go for pics, and you can be at the reception site by 6 p.m. for dinner. Have cocktails for your guests from 5 to 6 p.m.

Great Idea!!! I don麓t want to be rushed on my wedding day, plus girl, pictures are like the most valuable thing about a wedding, those are your memories and they should be just the way you want them to.

my friend took pictures before the ceremony & I will 2. I will take picture of the two of us, the bridal party and the family b/4 the ceremony. And on my friend's wedding ,non of us cried b/c we had time to see her b/4 hand.

If you are ok with that then I guess you can do it.

I personally wouldn't want to take my pictures before the ceremony. The ceremony is the important part that marries you... I wouldn't feel right taking my wedding photos before the wedding has taken place. Plus I want my fiance to see me for the first time as I walk down the aisle.

But it is up to you. Do what makes you happy.

Its a great idea. Several girls I know have recommended that I do it.

First off, chill. ;-) Second, if you feel that taking pictures before the ceremony is (for you) the best way to go, then do that. Our ceremony was at 5 pm as well, (in Sept.) but we did all our pics after the ceremony. Our photographers were AWESOME, and got all the photos taken very quickly. (There was no messing around!) Then, they pulled us out of the reception for maybe 20 mins to get some more "bride and groom" shots before the sun set.

I don't want to see my bride before the wedding. Just old superstition but I think it is important to keep some traditions alive.

Modern Wedding Advice-
http://navillus99.blogspot.com

do what you want, it is your wedding. I honestly wish my husband and I had time before our wedding to see each other. I didn't have my glasses on during the wedding so I couldn't see his face walking down the isle. I cried as my bridesmaids walked down the isle.

Taking your pictures beforehand would leave you more time to interact with your eat, guests, eat, dance, eat, and other things (did I say eat)? We got like 10 minutes to eat before we were off taking more pictures.

Lunchbox- hubby & I did the same. Had a moment before the ceremony where we saw each other --just the two of us. Then took most of our pics before the wedding. Him & I, Family, the Wedding Party. It made everything less stressful this way. Anyhow we were able to take a TON of pics. After the ceremony we left in my hubbys restored car and the wedding party followed us in a limo. We went to a park, took some outdoor pics for about an hour then we all headed to the reception...

To the ques. asker - do what makes you happy. Its you and hubbys big day. Congrats!

There's nothing wrong with getting your pictures taken before the ceremony. It's more common then you'd think. We're doing it too. If you and your fiance are okay that you walking down the aisle wont be the first time he's seen you in your dress then it's all good. That's usually why most bride and grooms don't want the pictures taken before the ceremony. They want the surprise and to have that moment. But you could still have a similar moment the moment you see each other will still be a magical thing. Good luck