First look experiences? i can’t decide!

Most couples I know married in the last 20 years have had first looks and recommend them to get nerves controlled and all pictures out of the way so you can enjoy your reception. They have all said it didn't take away at all from seeing each other down the aisle.

I'm opting out of first look. To me, it isn't camdid when it is known theres a camera capturing the moment.

We did a first look and I loved it. We did all of our portraits, bridal party photos, and family photos before the ceremony. The first look moment was really emotional and the pictures came out gorgeous - my husband cried and I was not expecting that. Then we BOTH still cried while I walked down the aisle so it didn’t ruin that moment at all. We were so relaxed and actually got to enjoy our cocktail hour and eat appetizers and mingle with guest rather than worrying about pictures. Our ceremony was at 5 and we did the first look at 2. If your photographer is good they should be able to find a good spot where the lighting isn’t too harsh, like in the shade. Then we snuck outside after we ate dinner to take a few more photos with the good evening light later on. You can also touch up your hair and makeup for the ceremony after the photos. I’d recommend it because it takes a lot of stress off of you, but if you still want the walk-down-the-aisle moment then that is special too! Go with your gut for how you want to spend your day!

My fiance and I are doing a first look. We both want to be able to enjoy cocktail hour with our guests, so we want most of the pictures done prior to the ceremony. We also want to make sure we take the first look as an opportunity to spend a few minutes together before the ceremony, since we'll be around people nonstop for the rest of the day.

My husband and I didn't do a first look for our minimony nor will we do it for our big wedding. Even though we are legally only married, I am still excited for him to see me in my big dress walking down the aisle for the first time ❤️

View Quoted Comment Such a good point about spending time together with just the two of you! That was really special for us. We had a solid half hour-45 minutes where we could just hang out with each other and relish in our happiness and not feel rushed on to the next thing.

We are not doing a first look, for a lot of the reasons you mentioned. I know a lot of brides have said they didn’t regret it, but I know I would. I want the walk down the aisle to be the first time we see eachother. Most the first looks I’ve seen look super fake because it’s just the 2 of you & a photographer with a camera pointed at you-super awkward & lots of pressure to react for the camera. I’ve heard several grooms say the first look made them MORE nervous because they felt pressured to look/react over the top for the photographer. And it’s not capturing the true emotions of seeing your spouse at the end of the aisle, surrounded by your loved ones, knowing you are about to be married. All the photos I’ve seen of reactions of those who didn’t do a first look are always more genuine and more intense.

We are not doing a first look because FH was completely against it. Here is why (and please note EVERYONE is different so this is just our experience with people who did them): my best friend did a first look with just her and her husband and it was nice, but the surprise element was taken out for him when she walked down the aisle. Most of the guests who were hoping for the big groom reaction said it was lackluster and he told people that he had just seen her 20 minutes ago and that’s when he got emotional. So everyone else kind of missed that part of their wedding. Which I will add some people like better! The second experience was with my FH’s sister. She had her entire family show up an hour or 2 before the wedding started for photos. We were only part of the photos for maybe 15 minutes, so the rest of the time she had her family wandering around the grounds with nothing to do until the ceremony space was available. We couldn’t take in our own drinks and the venue wouldn’t provide refreshments to anyone not in the bridal party, so we just kind of sat there with nothing to do. I find that people don’t mind waiting a bit during cocktail hour for photos to finish up if they run into overtime. We’ve had this happen to us at weddings and we just sat back and enjoyed the drinks!

I loved my first look. We got some time alone just thr 2 of us. Also, I still cried like crazy walking down the aisle. You can also take additional pictures during the golden hour. We were going to but then got caught up enjoying the reception and our guests so we ended up not doing it, which I don't really regret. As far as hair and makeup go, makeup artists and hairstylists know how to keep looks staying put all day. The makeup artist used setting spray and all sorts of other stuff to keep it on and I had so many bobby pins and like a can of hairspray lol.

We are doing one mostly for the sake of nerves and time. I am a huge crybaby and tear up just thinking about marrying my FH, so to be able to just let it out and be better composed during the ceremony is a huge plus for me. There are ways to still give that wow factor all over again when you come out for the ceremony. I will not be wearing my veil to the first look. Some people don't even bring their bouquet. Regardless, if he doesn't react for a 2nd time, I'm perfectly okay with it. I don't view weddings as putting on a show. So I don't feel he should have to gasp, cry, etc in front of people for them to enjoy the moment with us. All of the remainder of the ceremony will still be fresh and emotional. We are still getting married in front of everyone. Those parts don't just go away because we already saw each other. People tend to forget that. Your first look will capture the anticipation, your photos after will capture the just married glow, and you end up with more pictures. You can't go wrong with that.

I loved my first look! Our photographer was so wonderful and discreet that I honestly didn’t even notice she was there for the first few shots. We’re not the type to feel the need to be performative, so everything was super natural. Plus, the spot where we did our first look is not anywhere we would have done pics otherwise, so I love the diversity added to our shots.
Like others have mentioned, I also really enjoyed having time alone with my husband to be. We spent about a half hour sitting together after family photos that was SO nice. I don’t know what our family did—but we purposefully got married at a resort with lots of activities, bars and restaurants so I suspect they grabbed a pre-ceremony cocktail!
I also somewhat unexpectedly hated walking down the aisle, so I’m so glad that was not the first time all day I was seeing my groom. I knew both of us would be happy but not tearful and for that a first look worked really well.

We’re not doing a 1st look. We both want the 1st time we see each other is when I’m walking down the aisle. We will have plenty of time to mingle with our guests after the cocktail hour & dinner.

We will be doing a first look. We're pretty excited. It's going to be the first look, bridal portraits and wedding party photos all in one so we will actually get to enjoy our cocktail hour with our guests (unless we do sunset photos).

I kind of always wanted to do one and then let it go when FH said he didn't want to because he wanted to be surprised. Once we talked with our photographer, he mentioned a first look and the excitement of it attached to FH and now he's excited to do one.

It will be nice for us to spend that time together and be able to calm each other down. I'd do most of the calming since FH is pretty shy. He hates the spotlight. It's not for everyone and that's ok. Only you know whether or not you would want to do one and be ok with it.

We are not doing a first look, I like the surprise element. I love the idea of being married already before taking pics.

We did a first look and it was great. It didnt take the special moment away from us, but we also walked down the aisle together. It was great to share that special moment between us and made me feel more calm when reading aloud our hand written vows

We decided to do a first look at the suggestion of our photographer, and my husband and I are both glad we did! Like many others have said, it really helped calm our nerves and in a sense kick off some of the activities instead of sitting around until the ceremony. We were just so happy to see each other and share the excitement together! Once we did the first look, we were able to do all family and wedding party photos before the ceremony. I saved my veil for the ceremony, and we were both still emotional. After the ceremony, my husband and I and the photographers got golf carts and did our golden hour photos while the rest of the wedding party were able to enjoy cocktail hour. This was actually one of my favorite parts of the day (despite being cold outside!) because it was the only time we really got to enjoy each other’s company and talk throughout the day, and it gave us plenty of time for photos of just the two of us. The first look worked out well for us, and I have no regrets! I think this decision is personal for each couple depending on how they envision the flow of their day.



Here are a few pics of our first look.

We did a first look and it was so magical!!!! I couldn’t imagine not doing one to be honest. It was so intimate and real. Not in front of guests or cameras as you’re walking down the aisle. I can cry just thinking about it 😩 ❤️

We did not and don't regret it one bit.

We also had a beautiful spot to take photos directly outside the venue, so we didn't have to worry about taking too long.

We're both actors and highly superstitious. I had to *text* DH after midnight the night before our wedding, and I was worried that was bad! (We lived together, but he stayed with his parents the night before.) I even had my BP on lookout duty, so they could keep us apart as he arrived at the venue.

See him as I walked down the aisle (then getting blocked because everyone stood UP and there was a corner to get to him!), was really special, and we have some great pics from that, plus video.

It's really a matter of what you want. That was what we wanted

We are planning to do a first look too and I'm sooo looking forward to it!!

This is my second wedding and I didn’t do a first look the first time but I do plan on doing one this time. I think the emotion will be there both times and it will almost be like a little secret you two have that no one knows you already saw each other. Whichever way you decide - it will be perfect! ❤️