First look before the Ceremony?

Not only is it a logistical dream but it often calms the nerves of the bride and or groom.

If it's your vision to not see each other until the moment the ceremony starts, that's fine too. Just build in more time for photos before the reception.

Please change your avatar for more responses

It's convenient for pictures but in my opinion it takes away from that special moment when you see each other walking down the isle. I'm opting out of doing one.

I agree with Alex. It is like knowing what is inside the gift wrapped box and then having to open it anyway.

I prefer the privacy of our first look and although FI already knows what I look like in my wedding dress (I got overly excited when I lost some weight, and unwittingly asked him to zip the back for me) - I do think he will be surprised to see me in full regalia all dolled up.

It'd be nice to immediately sink into his arms for a kiss rather than have to keep walking in front of everyone and endure the ceremonial stuff first.

Besides, we've lived together for years, and he's seen me at my best (oh those early twenties fast metabolism days) and at my worst (he's wiped snot and tears off me when I've been terribly sick). Whatever is in the gift box has been opened already. This is just the cherry on top that he gets to enjoy in private an hour before the ceremony before we have to go and make a big production in front of everyone.

I had been on the fence about doing one or not. FH didn't have an opinion in it either way. I decided to do a first look so that we can do pictures and such before and enjoy our cocktail hour with our guests at our destination wedding.

From the pictures people have posted here from their first look, I am excited to be doing it.

I am not doing a first look. I actually didn't go with a photographer because he pushed first looks so much. I get time wise it makes sense but I have not seen a picture from a first look yet that has convinced me there is a fraction of the emotion that two people feel in that moment walking down the aisle. My FH and I agree that the first time he will see me on our wedding day is walking down the aisle.

I did it for my first wedding because my FH (now my ex) was always late for anything, so I figured that when he was late for the pictures, we'd just take them after the ceremony instead of before, and he would still be on time for the ceremony!

This time, while I have no strong opinion either way, my FH wants to not do a first look, so we're not doing one. Our venue is all-inclusive - hotel, ceremony, reception, so no one should be late due to travel.

I should add that we walked up the aisle together and even greeted our guests before the ceremony so there's that.

I cried at the first look. Joe (the crybaby) did not, he had the nicest smile. If it wasn't such an ugly cry face, I would post it.

What I like best about a first look is that it is more private/intimate.

My favorite part of a wedding ceremony is the look on the groom's face when his wife walks down the aisle so I'm not doing a first look. I feel like I'll be robbed of that genuine reaction if we do a first look.

100% first look. The first time down the aisle isn't nearly as special or intimate, and it wastes your guests' time, as you have to take pictures after the ceremony. I don't know why anyone would waste a minute of their actual wedding do this.

I'm 100% pro first look. It gave us such a sweet and intimate time together to get to enjoy all of out wedding day together...the photos are precious and not rushed. we both had happy tears. and still both had happy tears walking down the aisle. For us, it did not take us from the walk down the aisle at all....maybe even enhanced it because I didn't absolutely ugly cry like I would have if I hadn't seen him and calmed my nerves.

We have decided to do a first look...we were not going to at first. But we think it will be nice to see each other all dressed up before the ceremony and have some time to take everything in. We are both private people so it will help calm any nerves

I am 100% pro first look as well. My brother and sister-in-law did a first look and they loved it. They cried during the first look, and while walking down the aisle. I plan on doing a first look as well. My fiancé and I can be kind of awkward in front of other people, especially family, so we want to be able to hug and kiss and talk and enjoy seeing each other for the first time on our wedding day. And hopefully it will help with nerves during the ceremony!

We are doing one. We are both very private people and don't show emotions in front of other people, especially my FH. We will be much more present and expressive seeing each other in private than in front of a large group of people.

We did a first look and it was great. It was a very private moment of seeing each other before the wedding (with the photographer of course) and the moment of walking down the aisle was still special because it was when I was walking down the aisle! In my opinion the two moments aren't even the same. I preferred being able to see each other in private and we had about 10-15 minutes just the two (three) of us. Our first look pictures are some of my favorite of the day too. I personally don't see the appeal of seeing each other for the first time walking down the aisle because it's in front of so many people. I think the reactions from our first look were more genuine than anything that would have happened in front of over 130 people.

I'm doing one and I'm kind of excited about it. I was all "I want the first time you see me when I'm coming down the aisle". Not that's an issue to do that but for me I wanted more time post ceremony with my guests and family then snapping 1000 pics. It'll give us another location for free to get some great shots with just us and time to calm our nerves. Say a quick prayer and get married! Lol

We didn't . We had plenty of time for pictures after the ceremony and the photographer got some amazing pictures of DH balling at the alter

This makes me want to do a first look! I actually like the idea of FH getting to see me before anyone else! Plus we will get to enjoy more of the reception! And we'll get to eat sooner!

FH does not want one so we are not doing one. I don't care either way. I would not say that not doing one is a waste of time though. I am excited for the walk down the aisle being the first time we see each other.

We are waiting until I walk down the aisle. I was open to a first look for timing but FH doesn't want to see me before the ceremony. If you are a nervous person or want it to be an intimate moment then I suggest first look. I want everyone to see the look on our faces and the emotion. To me, we invited all of the people we love to witness that moment. I don't want it to be private. We plan to take a lot of pictures of me with my family and BP and him with his family and GM's. So all we have after the ceremony is couples pictures and group shots. We'll also be leaving after cake cutting to take sunset pictures on the beach. Photographer said it won't take more than 20 minutes.