First look or at the altar?

First look. All the way.

How would having a first look short change your family? The first look is for you and FH, not a family event. If you and FH want to do it, then do no matter what your family might say. We did a first look and it was still emotional seeing FH as I walked down the aisle.

It's just a personal preference. Most people that say they did a first look say that it didn't hinder the magic or emotions walking down the aisle and seeing your FH but it did help calm the nerves. Those that didn't do a first look were just as ecstatic.

Personally, I'm thinking of not doing a first look but I've got plenty of time to think about it. If you're planning not to do a first look, try and get as many of the bridal party pictures done beforehand and finish all of them up after the ceremony.

I was super against first look, i wanted the tradition of him seeing me as i walk down the isle. but once i bought my dress that all changed. i wanted as many photos as possible in the dress, and a lot of people talked about how great a first look is. now we are super excited for it!

I have always been diehard Team Alter, but my photog tried to woo me to a first look. IDK, it's just not for me. I know my FH, and his emotions, and the way we view things, and for both of us, there is just something about the first time seeing me being THAT MOMENT, ya know? Just my preference, though!

Altar, people, altar! Alter means to change.

It's just personal preference. I personally wouldn't ever consider first look, but that's my preference!

My H wanted to do the traditional way of not seeing me until I was walking down the aisle, but I wanted a first look. I told him he could make that decision. As we got closer to the wedding and working through the timeline, he changed his mind and wanted a first look. In his mind, it was just to get some of the photos out of the way, but honestly - it was his favorite part of the day.

He cried, I cried, and the few moments before we saw each other were the only time all day that either of us felt nerves at all. I knew I wanted that moment in private and it was still a beautiful moment walking down the aisle where neither of us could take our eyes off each other.

I wanted to save a little something, so I didn't wear my veil or have my bouquet for our first look, I saved that for walking down the aisle and we took a few photos with those after the family pictures.

We're not doing a first look. My FH is pretty set on not seeing each other after the rehearsal dinner until I walk down the aisle - more traditional, I guess. We've just accepted that we're not going to be involved in the cocktail hour and I'm ok with it.

My FH is adamantly against having a first look, so I'm respecting that. The first time he sees me in my dress will be as I walk down the aisle

I am very very traditional (and a little superstitious) so I did not see him til I walked down the aisle. It was 110% the best thing ever, for us.

My FH still doesn't understand why him seeing my dress before hand is such a big deal. He has seen a few pictures of ones I've tried on and thankfully it's still 20 months away, so he will forget by then. Everything is mostly my choices as to him it matters most that I'm happy with everything but he can't let that go(why it matters he doesn't see my dress).

One billion percent first look.

I'm team at the alter

We are doing it at the altar. FH is completely against seeing me until that moment. He says it is the moment he has "dreamed" of and it is important to see me the first time walking towards him. I didn't argue.

Everyone has different opinions about this. Do whatever works best for you.

He//she is going to see you for the first time whether it's at the ALTAR or beforehand. Doing it before hand gives you more time for photos, a bit of private time to let it all sink in (without 50 family members on their i-phones taking photos), and every photographer you talk to will tell you that the photos are sweet, personal and unhurried.

At the altar! FH and I agreed immediately we do not want to ruin the moment of him seeing my dress for the first time walking down the aisle.

We skipped the first look and I'm actually happy that we did. We slept apart the night before and didn't see each other until I was at the top of the aisle and the look on his face was soooooo worth it. We set up our timeline for the day so that we could take group pictures quickly after the ceremony and then we had about a half an hour to take our pictures and then we had some intimate time by ourselves to revel in the "oh my God we're married!!!" feeling.

I absolutely see the merit of first looks, and I've seen some gorgeous pictures so I would never knock them, but not doing the first look worked perfectly for DH and I.

We did a first look. Mostly for logistics and us wanting to spend time with our guests during cocktail hour, but I am glad we did it. It didn't take away from the walk down the aisle. There was still the anticipation of me walking towards him with his back to me and that first "glimpse."

I initially wanted a first look, for all the reasons PPs have listed. I spoke with FH & he said he did not want a first look & dreams of the first moment we see each other as I walk down the aisle. It's totally personal preference, just talk it out with FH & decide what is best for the 2 of you!