First Peek?

Today, I'm going to write about the first "first peek" I had a pleasure of being a part of. About 10 years ago, I was coordinating my best friend's wedding. At the rehearsal dinner the night before, the two families exchanged some words. Even though they all tried their best to forgive and forget that night, the bride and groom left tense. The next day with tensions still high, once everyone was dressed and pre-wedding pictures taken, I asked my best friend if she wanted to see her groom prior to the ceremony. Her face changed from worry to happiness. I offered the groom 10 minutes alone with her and he jumped on it. They both wanted to clear the air as soon as possible. So, I knocked on her door and advised him again that he only had 10 minutes as he entered her room. I shut the door and stood guard. As promised, at the 10 minute mark, I knocked on the door and told him his time was up. He walked out with tears in his eyes. "Thank you for allowing me to see her early, I really didn't want to cry like a baby at the alter."
This story was 10 years ago....prior to the wedding industry making it the new thing. Some will tell you that seeing the groom show the emotion at the alter is what it is about. Trust me, even with a first peek, the bride always takes the groom's breath away when she starts down the aisle.
Some couples use the first peek to calm their pre-wedding jitters together. There's not a lot of time for the couples to spend alone during their wedding day. The bride is rushing all morning to hair and make up appointments with her attendants. The groom is usually doing the last minute errands. After the ceremony is pictures, dinner, toasting, dancing, cutting cake, and personally greeting each guest. Not much alone time built into their schedule.
Do I recommend first peeks? Yes, I do. Do I get upset when a bride and/or groom won't do it? Of course not. It's not my day...it's theirs.

Until next time...

Annie