Trying to save "tossed" images. What do you think?

original
http://www.pbase.com/image/21180457.jpg

fix
http://www.pbase.com/image/21182663.jpg

Actually, I like the original better.
I'm not too crazy about the crop as it seems the groom is the main focus instead of the couple.

I know. The problem is that I have a lot with the bride as the focus, and plenty with the couple. I am trying to balance things. Here is another treatment. How is this one?

http://www.pbase.com/image/21186703.jpg

Jeb, I like the second one better, the first is muddy in the background. I am thinking that the first one was lowered in contrast partly to reverse the harsh contrast of the sunlight. Just a thought - it is OK for sunlight to look like sunlight (my opinion) - posing is more critical though because of how the harsher light shapes things - you did a good job.

The challenge of this photo is the rock coming out of the back of the brides head, great personality and pose on the couple.

This may be a groom shot, but it is all about the bride kissing him and how good he looks when she does it - I have attached a subtle variation on cropping that focuses on her figure and thier relationship equally (even though I know you are trying to accomplish a groom photo - I think this is the content of this one)

Hope this other perspective helps,
Roger