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KentuckyWineBride
VIP November 2016

Am I the only one not doing first look?

KentuckyWineBride, on August 29, 2016 at 9:06 AM

Posted in Community Conversations 120

I've had a lot of people telling me that I will regret not doing a first look. FH and I are holding strong on not seeing each other until we walk down the aisle. My Mom's friend told me, "Why? You live together and see each other everyday. What's the difference? You know people are going to leave...

I've had a lot of people telling me that I will regret not doing a first look. FH and I are holding strong on not seeing each other until we walk down the aisle. My Mom's friend told me, "Why? You live together and see each other everyday. What's the difference? You know people are going to leave after the ceremony while you're taking your pictures." I'm doing a cocktail hour...wine, beer, catered finger foods. I doubt people will leave because of an hour, especially if we are feeding them during that time?

Another point people keep making is we would get more pictures if we did the first look. I disagree. I have to decorate the morning of the ceremony and then get ready. The ceremony is at 3pm. Before the ceremony my plan is to take individual bride and groom pictures, bridal party pictures, FMIL with FH, me with my mom and dad, etc... After the wedding would be family group shots with FH and I, then FH and I together.

120 Comments

  • Laura
    Master September 2017
    Laura ·
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    We're not doing one, we both wanna see each other as I walk down the aisle.

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  • Erin Wood
    Master July 2017
    Erin Wood ·
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    I wanted to do it just to have more time to hang out with everyone at the cocktail hour but my FH doesn't want to see me until I walk down the aisle. I think it's sweet.

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  • MrsT
    Devoted September 2016
    MrsT ·
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    We aren't doing a first look either. FH doesn't want to and I agreed, I can't wait to see his face when I walk through the door

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  • AlmostMrsCorcino
    Super October 2016
    AlmostMrsCorcino ·
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    Im still not sure...

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  • Mrs.Hawks
    Master October 2016
    Mrs.Hawks ·
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    We aren't doing a first look. We both didn't want to. We wanted to see each other as I walk down to him. It's one tradition we didn't want to break.

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  • I am Mrs. rjd
    Super September 2016
    I am Mrs. rjd ·
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    We aren't doing a first look---I was on the fence about it but FH doesn't want one and he has really asked for very little, so I'm okay with not doing it.

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  • Ro
    Expert July 2017
    Ro ·
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    I thought of doing it, but when I started showing FH some of these "wedding staple" images, he didn't like it (he's a reserved person, and someone with a camera in his face capturing such a raw moment fills him with terror, I know it).

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  • Flufflepuff
    Master June 2017
    Flufflepuff ·
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    I want to do one, FH does not. We're going with his preference, since he has such few things he feels strongly about wedding-wise.

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  • julybride
    Dedicated July 2017
    julybride ·
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    Not doing one.

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  • Stacey
    Savvy November 2016
    Stacey ·
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    My fiance and I are not doing a first look. Although I think it is fantastic for photographs, and I truly like that aspect of it. The tradition of walking down the aisle, building the anticipation and not seeing each other until that one final moment before we become husband and wife is just too special to us to pass up. My fiance is really looking forward to it, and I have to agree. There's nothing like that moment.

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  • OurAdventureBegins
    VIP October 2016
    OurAdventureBegins ·
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    Stick to your guns on this one. We decided to do a first look so we can get photos out of the way but in a perfect world, I'd much rather experience that first look as I walk down the aisle. We are doing pictures ahead of time due to time restrictions at the venue. If it is important to you and FH, stand your ground!

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  • Melissa847
    Super September 2016
    Melissa847 ·
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    I'm not doing a first look. I really want that first moment he sees me to be as I'm walking down the aisle. I'm doing pictures with my bridesmaids and him with his groomsmen before the ceremony. I talked with my photographer who had done another no first look wedding and they got their formals done in around an hour. And we'll be doing some of them at the venue, and some at a park behind the venue.

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  • A. L.
    Master July 2017
    A. L. ·
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    We are getting ready together, so we don't have a need for a first look. But we don't want to waste any of our wedding day taking posed pictures.

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  • AnonymousBride
    Expert April 2017
    AnonymousBride ·
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    I'm not doing a first look. Do what you envision on your big day and don't let people try to convince you that you're doing it the wrong way.

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  • Brooke
    VIP October 2016
    Brooke ·
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    We are not doing a first look and I know we won't regret it.

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  • SarahAnn1015
    Super October 2016
    SarahAnn1015 ·
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    We aren't doing one either! Everything is on the same site so that simplifies everything!

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  • Lorith
    Master May 2016
    Lorith ·
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    We didn't do it and I'm so glad we didn't. The look on my husbands face when I finally got down the aisle is my favorite photo.

    My husband really wanted to wait to see me Smiley smile


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  • Meaghan
    VIP April 2017
    Meaghan ·
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    I'm not doing first look. FH feels very strongly about it too. People aren't going to leave after the ceremony because you're taking pictures. Even WITH a first look, people expect you to take *some * photos after the fact. Cocktail hour is for that reason. If you can attend even part of cocktail hour, great! But in the meantime your guests won't be bored while they eat, drink, mingle while you handle that little gap.

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  • AlmostMrsA
    Expert August 2017
    AlmostMrsA ·
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    Nope, you are not alone! A few people thought it was weird that FH and I aren't doing first looks. But I just love the idea of seeing his reaction when it's really all happening. Plus, our reception is in the same location as the ceremony, so I'm not too concerned that the photos will be too long of a wait for the guests....there will be plenty of alcohol and food to go around for that 30-60 minutes!

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  • Angel
    Devoted June 2017
    Angel ·
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    We're not unless the logistics require it!

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