5 days to go- Doubting first look

FH and I are both adamant about the first time he sees me on our wedding day be when I'm coming down the aisle. I do want to talk to my photographer about a "no-looking first look" where we hold hands from opposite sides of a door or something like that. If you're having doubts about the first look, I would wait. In my opinion, I think him first seeing you coming down the aisle is super romantic

So I guess the first thing I would do is reach out to your photographer and see what the timeline would look like without the first look. Can you actually get the photos you want if you don’t do it? For us, we chose the first look because I knew I wanted to enjoy some of our cocktail hour and because I knew we’d need more than an hour for photos and I didn’t want to keep guests waiting on us for dinner to start. If you can fit everything into cocktail hour and are fine with not attending your cocktail hour, skip the first look.

Yes, I agree definitely contact your photographer and see if it would be possible to do your pictures later and what that would mean you'd have to miss out on. I think if you're doing a first-look it should be because you both WANT to do it. If it's not something you really WANT to do, I'd say DO NOT do it. You don't want to look back and regret that you did that and that you truly wanted the first time you saw each other to be when you came walking down the aisle. Just remember your wedding is supposed to be what you and your FH want, so make sure that's what happens. Your guests aren't going to care if you're taking pictures after the ceremony, that's typically when they are. So just spend some quiet time in your head and figure out what you really want.... then make that decision and don't think about it again.

No first look for us.
I'm doing it the traditional way...we will meet up at the altar.

He will see me at the top of the aisle❤
I don't respond well when rushing, so that's another good reason, for no first look for me.

I honestly, never considered it.
To each their own, what ever choice you make, it will turn out perfectly. Don't worry.
Congratulations! Woo hoo
Have a wonderful wedding week!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

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I do like the idea of the first touch. I feel like having to plan and coordinate the first look will completely take the romance out of it. FH isn't going to have some grand reaction either way haha but I just don't want to feel rushed getting into my dress and definitely don't want to be sweating before the ceremony if I don't have to. I think FH would rather not do it, but I'll have to check with him.

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Well I wanted some pictures by myself since I didn't get to do a bridal photoshoot. And I can still get some pictures with my family beforehand. I'll call my photographer after I talk to FH and see what he prefers. Our venue coordinator suggested letting everyone start eating before we do our grand entrance anyway. We are having a DW, so we will get to spend Friday night and Sunday brunch with all our guests anyway.

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Thank you Rachel! I'm going to discuss with FH and make my final decision tonight.

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Thank you! That's what I'm leaning toward. FH is very traditional so I think he would prefer that as well. Plus, it will give me more time to spend getting ready with my family beforehand.

We did the first look and don’t regret it at all. It really helped with nerves and it was so nice to have such a tender moment between my fiancé and I. I would recommend giving yourself a 30 min buffer for logistics. But we did it and it was pure magic and didn’t detract from walking down the isle at all.

How about doing a first touch instead? My FH and I both agree we do not want to do a first look.

It’s absolutely personal preference. We weren’t going to do it but then decided to do it so we could spend more time with our guests. We also wanted that time together with just the two is if when he saw me. Honestly when I walked down the aisle he still geared up again. It was so hit the day we did first look and we had outside photos but then we did some inside as well. It’s a touch choice for sure. Good luck

We are not doing the first look and waiting until I walk down the isle with pictures after. We do have two photographers and the genial will be taking pics of the girls prior and the male will be taking pics of the guys after to get some pics done prior. If you don’t want a first look, don’t do it.

What is the real reason why your having doubts because of the weather or your just not interested in it anymore?

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I'm just not interested in it anymore. I think the timeline is rushed and it won't be romantic. I just want that moment walking down the aisle. And the weather is a big deal to me. I don't do well in heat so making myself be in it for an hour extra isn't smart.

We've (he) decided to do a first touch, and see each other the first time walking down the aisle.

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Then with that said I would stick with the traditional way due to the weather & for you not to feel rushed...

Pros:
If you're nervous a first look will likely ease the couple
Intimate time together before you share intimacy on a more public level
Likely you'll get more couples photos due to that moment needing to be captured in addition to your typical couples wedding pics
If you do a first look, you likely will have time to attend your own cocktail hour and do some conversing

Cons
If your partner is set on being 100% surprised by you at the aisle, then it could ruin that for them
It adds more time to the getting ready portion of the day (first looks are usually done right after then) and could potentially throw off your schedule, which is a HUGE deal
Y'all may be the opposite and seeing each other could actually nerve you up


While I think they're great, we personally won't be doing a first look bc my fiance is adamant about not seeing me at all before the ceremony. As a photographer I was mostly swayed by the idea simply for photo sake, but his wishes are more important to me. Especially since we will still get those lovely photos in the end.

Sounds like you have your decision! If you're going to be flustered and uneasy, I'd opt for the first touch or just going the traditional route.

FH and I are planning on doing a first look, but we have a longer timeline to work with. I also really want pictures of us alone before the ceremony--that's a special must-have for me.

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Exactly what I was going to suggest. If that moment between the two of you is important to you, you can make it all work. If it isn't, then let him see you at the end of the aisle and take a full hour for pictures after. Just remember those pictures are what you will have when this is all over. Have you considered another location in the venue?

I'm having my ceremony at 6pm also and am totally against the first look. In place, the groom and his groomsmen will take photos 2 hours before the ceremony and then me and my bridesmaids 1 hour before. Then during cocktail hour we will take pics together. Just to cut some time so cocktail hour doesn't drag on.