The Debate Between First Look and The Aisle!!!

We thought about doing a first look, but DH didn't want to and that was fine. This pic of him, my brother & best guy friend (and his best friend at the back) is one of my favorites of the night. =)

We didn't do a first look. This is DH balling as I am walking down the aisle.

In my post wedding opinion, the decision to do the first look shouldn't be about the pictures you will get. We ended up having a storm, so no lights during church, and the photographers couldn't get both me walking down the aisle and his reaction like I had wanted. But what was more special was the feeling we both had seeing each other in this crazy situation, and no picture could ever capture that.

I understand the first look if you have a later wedding and need to use the day to take pictures, but there was something really special about not knowing what each other are feeling or thinking all day and then suddenly having that moment together right before you say your vows in front of everyone.

So sadly, no photos, but actually experiencing the real first look while we also had a million emotions and were really "in the moment" was a very cool feeling.

We got almost no photos I think and am so happy I did a first look.

Honestly, it wasn't anything that dramatic. He looked great, told me how beautiful I looked, and then we sat and hung out, and his groomsmen kept making their way over there, so we were just all hanging with me in my dress. It felt like a normal day at our house, plus a white dress. It comforted me. However, it made me super super comfortable, and I was able to hold my shit together while walking down the aisle. Apparently, my dad & I pretty much ran. Oops.

Thank you Mrs. Z for your response! This is one of the main reasons I want to wait for the aisle. For that exhilarating experience. But, boy, sometimes the stories for first looks really get me.

I really enjoy seeing other brides' pictures! BAMs are my fave!

@Marissa - omg, when I was photographer searching I would watch those first look trailers, and I'd start bawling when I saw them just about to do the look!!!

We chose to go traditional though and didn't want to put too much pressure on the moment just so we'd get a photo.

Good luck whichever way you choose, just enjoy it!!

Since things never go as planned, hubby and I were trying not to over plan things too much, and leave room to make changes if we needed to.

we didn't plan a first look, but he had seen my dress before the wedding day since I made it myself.

He had planned to not see me in my dress the day of until I walked down the aisle, but then when I was to leave my brides room I burst into tears because I was so happy and emotional I told the DOC I wanted my groom. so the DOC went and got him, but he came in and covered his eyes while he was comforting me

Personally, i don't see the reason why people plan a first look unless they are going to need to take pictures before the ceremony. it's not really a private moment if people are there taking pictures of you.

We got a picture of his 'not seeing me' when he came in to comfort me

I combined them, first look WHILE walking down the aisle!

The main pro is then that we got to take an extra 400 pictures we wouldn't have had time for otherwise. We did bridal party and couple pics before the ceremony, and only had family to do after

I don't have my pictures available, but I loved doing my first look. I was a giant ball of nerves, and spending time with DH calmed me way down. I can't imagine how stressed I would've been if I had to wait until the ceremony to see him. That was the best part of the first look. We got all our pictures done before the guests arrived and we didn't have to leave the reception to go take them, which meant more time for seeing our guests.

DH still cried when I walked down the aisle, even though he had already seen me. IMO, the first look doesn't take anything away from that moment. He had already cried about how beautiful I looked (or whatever his reason was for crying at the first look), so it was really special to think that he was getting so emotional about the fact that we were about to marry. It was a wonderful thought to walk down the aisle to.

I also really liked how I was able to kiss him right away during the first look. We spent half of our picture time just clinging to each other. Walking down the aisle and seeing him for the first time that day, and then not being able to kiss him for a half hour? Sounds awful.

We loved our first look. It was wonderful to see each other and talk ahead of the craziness of being the centers of attention for the rest of the day.

We loved ours. It was private, and I actually got a little emotion from my husband (which I would not have gotten otherwise). I was SO excited to see everyone while walking down the aisle, I never would have actually seen his reaction if we had waited.

Walking up. When we first turned. The kiss after