I shouldn’t say I have any wedding regrets, because, really, it was a perfect day in every way. But there is one thing I wish I would have thought more about and possibly persuaded Mr. Castle to re-think. People sometimes ask, “if there was one thing you could go back and change what would it be?” For me it would be our choice not to have a first look.
I’ve shared that I am not superstitious in any way and I think the whole not seeing the Bride before the wedding tradition is unnecessary. But, Mr. Castle wanted his first time seeing me to be my walk down the aisle, so I didn’t push it. The reason I now really wish we would have done the first look is this: pictures. Not pictures of Mr. C and I—because we got some amazing shots that I can’t wait to show you—I mean pictures of my side of the family. Since we chose not to see each other before the ceremony, I was locked up in the bridal room until Mr. Castle went inside. Once he was hidden I could come out and take pictures. Now this was in NO WAY our photographers fault, just wanted to preface with that, the thing was Mr. Castle wouldn’t get his butt inside! He had to run to the car, then he was chatting with people, then he had to run a sound check with the musicians…By the time I finally came out of hiding, we only had enough time to take photos with my bridesmaids, my mom and one of my grandmothers who happened to arrive as we were out front taking pictures.
I did get to take some family photos after the ceremony, but that time was so rushed that I don’t have that many. Some examples—I only have one photo with my brothers and no photos of me with one of my grandmothers because she disappeared into cocktail hour. I really wish I would have had more time for my family before the ceremony. They were all there, I just didn’t see them because I was locked up. I didn’t even see my dad until right before we walked down the aisle.
Once again, not our photographers fault at all. They tried their best to get as many shots done before the wedding as possible. They were amazing and our pictures are better than anything I could have ever hoped for. I just get a little jealous when I see all the photos Mr. Castle got to take with his family. I really think if we had done a first look it would have solved this problem. We could have taken all the family formals and bridal party shots before the wedding and saved the newly married couple shots for the cocktail hour.
But what are you gonna do, right? It is what it is and I’m not going to go into despair about it. I just wanted to mention it as a cautionary tale to all you brides out there. If you are considering doing a first look, I say do it! Everything is so rushed and hectic after the wedding, an it’ll be nice to just relax and take your must have family formals before. OK, I’m done with my rant. Even though I’m a little jealous of these pictures, they’re still great and I LOVE how happy Mr. Castle’s parents look!
All Photos by Palos Studio
Mr. Castle’s parents. So excited to see their baby boy getting married!
Mr. Castles family. But where’s Mr. Castle???
There he is! Best photo bomb ever!
The whole family
This is one of my favorites of Mr. Castle and his grandmother
Mr. Castle’s parents and sister!
I really do love all these photos of Mr. Castle and his family. There are a lot more, but I already made this post pretty long with my rant…Next up, I finally break free from the bridal suite and take some photos with my bridesmaids!
What about you hive? Will you have a first look? Are getting family photos a top priority for you?
Miss a recap? Check it out below!
We start at the end with a surprise wedding video!
We start the day with singing, dancing, and an earthquake
I get my hair and makeup done
We arrive at our venue and Mr. Castle asks for some makeup
With the help of my Mom and bridesmaids I get into my dress!
I take some solo shots of me as a bride
My handsome groom and his men
My MIL wore that same dress, but in a darker, navy color
I love that shade of green that the sister wore. And I love the entrance of Mr. Castle! Boy oh Boy did he jump high!
We didn’t see each other until I walked down the aisle, either (I miss when it used to be this way, now this isn’t the norm anymore). I had a rigid list I gave to my photogs, and we were able to take family photos for 30 minutes after the ceremony. With ruthless organization and some supreme cat herders (I also sent emails to all family prior to ask them to stick around after the ceremony for photos), we got it done and I got all the photos I wanted. So, to brides who state they have to do a first look just to get all the photos they want, I completely disagree. And I think it’s really worth it to have that magic moment of walking down the aisle and seeing your groom for the first time. I don’t know, tapping on his shoulder just wouldn’t have the same meaning.
We’re having a first look for this exact reason, and I wouldn’t have it any other way because I’m sure after the ceremony we won’t be able to bring everyone together.
PS: Mr. Castle’s photobomb? Best pic ever!
@Lone Star: Good point! You certainly should not feel like you have to do a first look in order to get all the photos you want. Especially if the tradition of not seeing each other until you walk down the aisle is important to you. We also gave our photographers a detailed shot list and instructions to family members to stick around but even with all the proper precautions things sometimes don’t work out the way we planned. We also took a group photo with all our wedding guests after the ceremony which cut some time out of our photo schedule. But the group photo was totally worth the time 
I think it all depends on the couple. I don’t think it would have been less meaningful to see Mr C before the ceremony but that’s just my feeling and every Bride is different!
1) great photobomb
2) if you’d done a first look, you would have also done all the family stuff? we’re going to do a first look but i was picturing just doing our couple portraits together – and wait til the ceremony for anyone else (groomsmen, family, etc) to see me – so i get some of the “surprise” factor. do you recc doing family portraits beforehand too? any advice is awesome!
we’re not doing a first look… I think we’re both a tad superstitious and we both want our official first look as I walk down the aisle! I do worry about not getting ALL of the portraits after the ceremony. I also worry about not being able to eat anything during the cocktail hour because I know we’ll be posing for photos!!!
love the photobomb. I feel like even if you had done a first look, there would probably still be pictures you’d regret not having. such is life.
This might not be the place for it, but I’d love to know how the logistics of getting a group shot went for you. I’ve love to get a group shot of everyone, but my photographer warned me that it’s quite difficult to get a good shot and needs a lot of planning to set up.
@Miss Gray Wolf: I like your idea of still having the suprise factor for your family. I would have done the opposite just so my family could go mingle and enjoy the cocktail hour. But it’s not going to take an entire hour I get shots with your family so I think they’d still have time to mingle.
@Miss Beanstalk: Our venue brought us some hor devours as we were taking pictures. You should ask if that could do that do you don’t miss out on food!
@Miss Panda: Our venue had a perfect location for it. It was open area where our photographer could take pictures from a patio above. After the ceremony the DJ made and announcement to follow the bride and groom to the side patio for a group photo. Then they herded everyone to the location. It didn’t take that long to get all our 150 guests in position. I think if your DJ, venue and photographer can all work together you can totally make it happen!
@Miss Gray Wolf: We did couples and bridal party beforehand and family after the ceremony. It was a good compromise since almost all of our gusts were family and I wanted someone to be surprised at my dress! Do what works for you. Just know that the timeline matters a lot before the ceremony and a little less after, but only a teensy bit.
@Mrs. Castle: That is an amazing photo bomb on Mr. Castle’s part. Bravo!
Bahahaha, I love his photo bomb! So graceful too.
I think I would be bummed and regret it too, but I guess obviously at this point there is nothing you can do.
I do, however, love the photobomb! Classic.
Oh my gosh… LOVE the photobomb! Let me tell ya.. We did a first look and still missed so many photos. I think no matter how hard you try to coordinate, things are going to slip through the cracks. My biggest regret is deff not being more on the ball when it came to photos, but it’s true… The day is done and it’s not worth dwelling over. I am sure you guys got a TON of other amazing photos.
Aww I am sad that you feel regret for your wedding day, but I am glad you are happy that you got such gorgeous photos still! I have plenty of time before our reception to take lots of photos!
Hahahaha I literally laughed out loud at this. Props to him.
Mrs. Castle, NYC/Southern California Age and Occupation: 26, Actress/Babysitter Fiance's Age and Occupation: 31, Actor/Writer/Graphic Designer Engagement Date: January 1, 2011 Wedding Date: April 2012 Venue: Padua Hills Theater About Me: I am a Southern California girl living in the Big Apple. I moved here to put my degree in Musical Theater to work! My survival job is caregiver to an adorable 2 1/2 year old. When I'm not working, auditioning or rehearsing, I am hanging out at home with my FI and our two beloved cats. I love to read, sing, dance, hang with friends, and spend quality time with Mr. Castle watching our favorite TV shows (LOST, Big Bang Theory, and Mythbusters...to name a few). Mr Castle and I met while performing in college, so it is only fitting that our wedding take place at an old theater. We are planning a vintage, theater-inspired wedding with some DIY projects and plenty of personal touches thrown in. I love living in the city but I am excited to marry my man in the state where we fell in love.
Latest Gallery Pics