First Look & Appetizers

You and your future spouse have to do whatever is best for you! We’re doing a first look because I want that moment for just us. We’re also doing all of our bridal party and family photos before the ceremony so that everyone can enjoy cocktail hour after the ceremony.
I will say, even with a first look, the moment of walking down the aisle will still be special. My brother and SIL did all of the pictures beforehand, and he still teared up when she walked down even though he had just been with her a few minutes prior.

We did a first look and it was one of my favorite moments of the day. It was special to have just the two of us there and spend that moment together. It did not make walking down the aisle any less special. With the music playing and locking eyes while you walk, it is still very special and emotional.

That being said, we still did a cocktail hour with appetizers and drinks even though we did a first look. There were still photos to be taken afterwards (not as many as if we had not done a first look, obviously), and this is a good time for your guests to transition while you and your wedding party gather yourselves before entering the reception.

Yep! I was in the exact same boat as you. I didn't want to originally do a first look but the pros outweighed the cons.

1. We don't have to worry about apps because we'll go straight into dinner from the ceremony. We'll snap a few shots after the ceremony while everyone is moving from the ceremony building to the reception building and then we'll do the entrance and go straight into blessing the meal and eating.

2. We get to actually enjoy the company of all the guests that traveled to celebrate us.

3. Right now our reception is from 6:30-10:30. If we did a cocktail hour, we'd only be there for 3 hours which seemed really short with a meal in there. SO we would have to start the ceremony earlier and make the reception length longer. If we went that route, we'd have to pay all vendors to be there an additional hour, provide more alcohol, etc. It just seemed like it would inflate our costs more than it's worth.

4. I think it will put me at ease to see my fiance before I walk down the aisle in front of everyone I know He's not an emotional person at all so I wasn't expecting any grand response with tears anyway. lol

We have a cocktail hour that we are doing we haven't decided on food, but since we are only doing an hour and then going right into dinner I don't want it to be to heavy. My sister just did cheese, shrimp, meatballs, and bacon wrapped water chestnuts at hers.

We too have decided against the first look, but we are doing pictures with the bridal party before so hopefully we can get our pictures with us, full bridal party and families done in 30 minutes so we can still enjoy some of the cocktail party. Is that possible for you?

We did a first look and it was one of my favorite parts of the day. We still had a cocktail hour with apps too, while we finished taking pictures and just chilled for bit before the dinner and reception.

View Quoted Comment Yeah that’s a great idea thanks