Pros and cons of a first look

First look of reception venue with SO before marriage?

i definitely am not a fan and we aren’t doing it

unless I don’t know the meaning of “first look” I’m which case I’m eager to learn

jist learned bam today lol

I can't offer any pro's. Maybe some of the other ladies can. I want his first look of me to be me walking up the aisle to him, and he wants that too. I honestly don't understand the whole look think. For me it's taking away the excitement for the groom to see the bride walking up the aisle.

I wasn’t going to do one.

After being on here I changed my mind and decided to do one.

My fiance is totally against a first look. He says it will ruin his reaction for when I walk down the aisle. So First Look for me is not an option.

View Quoted Comment First look is when the two of you see each other prior to your actual wedding.

I think the pros ( for me anyway ) is having some private time with him. We’ll get to take pictures during that time so we can enjoy cocktail hour with our guests. I like the fact that I can see him to calm me down.

They seem to be very popular, but we're doing it the old-fashioned way. No first look.

I actually got SO nervous heading to my first look. I saw H standing in the courtyard on my way to the elevator and for some reason, my heart dropped into my stomach. The whole way down in the elevator with my best friend I was freaking out. I seriously have no idea why. Once we did the first look, that all went away and everything was amazing. I couldn’t imagine if we hadn’t done the first look and I had that feeling walking down the aisle. I legit felt like I was going to throw up. It was also just so nice to have that moment be somewhat private between us and have some time together just the two of us before the madness started. I loved the time we got to spend together before the ceremony.

The other big pro of course is that you have a lot more time for photos and your wedding party and families can enjoy cocktail hour instead of having to spend it taking photos.

I really don’t think there are any cons. Nothing about having a first look ruined walking down the aisle.

We're doing it. My sister did not do it and her favorite part of the wedding was when they were going up to the rooftop reception and were waiting for the elevator by themselves. She said she never really got to enjoy his company the whole day except for then. Soo that will take care of that part. Also, I would love to be able to join cocktail hour so we are hoping to get the majority of the photos done during cocktail hour. Everyone that I've talked to that have done it, reccomend it. Even my photographer says that the couples love that moment together.

I don’t have the wiggle room in time to consider one 😂 10:30am start time is early enough

IMO... a first look is a great time to take pictures! Your makeup and hair are fresh. You get to take pics with your bridal party while they are looking their best as well. During cocktail hour (as Kenisha mentioned) you can enjoy your cocktail time without interruption. We are planning to do a first look (as of now). I'm sure we will both be emotional during the actual ceremony as well so it won't take away from that. I think the leap of marriage and starting a new chapter of life is more tear jerking than the dress or suit we will be wearing.

Were doing one. It gives me a private moment with him before hand and I wont be a blubbery mess for all the pictures! Haha
Besides, theres a traditional parents blessing that kind of ties into it for us.

I didn’t care for first look, FH didn’t want to do one until my photographer explained the benefits and we both agreed.

Having that moment to yourselves considering we’ll be mostly mingling with everyone during the night is nice, just to take a minute to breath and relax.

Another pro was that we’d be able to do our bridal party photos right after the first look, that way we aren’t spending so much time doing BP photos along with family photos right after the ceremony. So it kinda helps with time.

I guess the con would be possibly not getting that “OMG” reaction of seeing each other down the aisle, though I’ve read some Bride & Grooms cried anyway even having having a first look.

If timing is an issue, especially with photos for BP & FP Photos, a first look can cut down the time. But if you don’t necessarily care that much about timing and how long photo taking might be and you want that OMG surprise moment walking down the aisle seeing each other, don’t do a first look.

We did one and have zero regrets. It helped calm our nerves and we were able to take almost all pictures before the ceremony and be in our own cocktail hour. It didn’t take away any emotion from walking down the aisle as we both bawled as I walked down.

View Quoted Comment Ahh

def not

want to see him be surprised by me as bride from aisle in front of everyone

View Quoted Comment I totally agree! I feel like it takes away actually if that’s a 1st look

We’re definitely doing one. I want us to take our time getting beautiful pictures together and not be rushed to get pictures before the reception. I also want pictures of us when my makeup and hair are perfect, but mainly because taking pictures in between the ceremony and reception would take forever and I want to take part in at least some of the cocktail hour. I was recently in a wedding where the bride did not do a first look and it was two hours between when the ceremony ended and when the bride and groom finally made their entrance into the reception. It was WAY too long.

View Quoted Comment We just have different opinions! I don’t think that it’s goung to take away from that moment.

View Quoted Comment I’ve never had anyone who did a first look say it took away from the moment walking down the aisle.

We’re doing a first touch. It gives us the benefit to talk to each other, pray, give a note, and hold hands before the wedding all without actually seeing each other. I love the traditional aspect of waiting but I feel like this is the best of both worlds! And they still make for cute photo ops!