Pros and cons of a first look

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That is how I feel, but now that I look over my wedding day schedule, I see why so many people opt to take their photos earlier in the day. My day is packed there is a gap between the ceremony and the cocktail hour and it is crazy busy (also I want to enjoy cocktail hour with our guests!, so we will be doing our grand entrance during!) People have such strong opinions about gap time, and stuff, but honestly there are weddings that I have been to that I wish there would have been a gap because it was just GO GO GO even as a guest!

After seeing all the posts about it, I think you'll be happy either way. We aren't doing one. We both 100% want the first time seeing each other to be as I walk down the aisle. But we are okay missing cocktail hour, and neither of us get anxiety.

We did one and it was the most amazing moment of the entire day. It was private and romantic, he burst into tears when he turned around and saw me and we were able to hug and kiss and hold each other and get the most emotionally raw photos of the day.
He still cried when I walked down the aisle and during the ceremony (I’m not a crier) so it definitely didn’t take anything away from that, the emotion of the “finally this is it!” moment is still there.
And actually, I was thankful for the first look because I couldn’t see him when I walked down the aisle because the guests stood up which blocked my view, I couldnt see him until I got to the end where he was standing, so if that was the only first reaction I would have gotten from him I would have been pretty pissed that I missed it anyway.

We weren’t going to do a first look, but a week before our wedding we decided it would work out more in our favor if we did do one. We were able to get most of our posed professional pictures taken before the ceremony started, and only had to take a few (mostly with our wedding party and guests). This gave us more time after the ceremony to spend with guests. I think the first look also helped us calm our nerves, we both hate having all eyes on us, and some time just the two of us (and photographer) helped us relax a little more.

Only had to take a few after the ceremony **

This is why I wanted to do a first look. This picture I wouldnt trade for the world. I loved the first look because we could do pictures and get to the reception faster. Also I wasnt as rushed and because I could spend a couple mins with him before hand which helped calm my nerves. I 100% recommend a first look. Unless you or your FH are one of the ones that want the reaction for the ceremony then first look is worth it.

The first look was the best part of our day! I loved it. I was so nervous until the first look. After the first look, everything just seemed to be easy and exciting. Plus we got time to see and talk to everyone during cocktail hour because we had all the pictures done before hand!

I was so busy smiling at all of my guests that I didn’t even look at my grooms face during the walk down the aisle LOL. So the first look DEFINITELY didn’t ruin that for me. I definitely don’t think we would have had as much time for all of our photos had we not taken some before the ceremony.

The attached photo is FH and I seeing eachother for the first time that day.

Here’s the photo.

Me and FH aren’t doing one we want to wait till I get his reaction going down the isle and be able to capture it on photo/video so I’m doing a first look with my dad instead which I think is very special

My FH is very traditional. He wants to see me the first time as I walk down the aisle. I feel it is so beautiful to have that moment of anticipation. I am not against those who have done a first look. My FH doesn't care much about the details of the wedding like most men but when he says something...I listen.

My FH and I have gone back and forth about this. I am pretty traditional, and don't want him to see me until I walk down the aisle. But he's convinced that the moment he sees me, he'll be so emotional that he'll start crying, and doesn't really want to do that up at the altar with all our family and friends watching. So, he thinks he can get the crying part out of the way when it's just the two of us (and our photographer, of course). What do you think?

View Quoted Comment My start time is 10:30 too! I didn't even consider a first look, its going to be tough enough already with that start time lol

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What is bam?? lol

Ahhhh this is making me second guess everything! haha

View Quoted Comment Lol

they never told me and I forgot to google it lol

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wnd apparently back and married

At our venue we HAVE to do a first look because the reception happens in the same room as the ceremony so we only get 15 min for pictures after the ceremony. Not to mention that FH and I want to go take pictures in the surrounding state park and it's canyons which takes time and since it will be January we need to go early in the day for it to not be dark outside. Personally I think the first look is a great idea because it allows you to spend some time with your FH before the ceremony.

View Quoted Comment Cora! That sounds so cool! Love that idea. We are having a super small private ceremony. We dont have a wedding party so that could work for us.

More details about your wedding please!

View Quoted Comment Can I have advise please?

We don't have a wedding party and aren't having a cocktail hour. Everyone will be able to mingle in one location and drink from beginning to end. Would it make sense for me to do first look? Or just get photos after the ceremony. It's only family attending. Parents, siblings, neices and nephews...