First look photos

We did a first look so we could greet everyone during our cocktail hour. It didn’t make walking down the aisle any less emotional or special and we both bawled as I walked down. I’m so glad we did it but it’s definitely a personal preference!

Have you thought about doing a first touch? I think they are beautiful. That's what I'm doing. FH didnt want to see me before going down the aisle. I'm also doing a first look with my dad.

View Quoted Comment I suggested a first touch but he said no.

I was totally against the concept of first looks. Then we decided to have a Tuesday wedding and I realized a first look made the most sense schedule-wise. I've since really warmed up to the idea. Now when we first see each other we can just enjoy each others company in private for a short while vs first seeing each other down the isle and immediately going into the ceremony, taking care of business, being swept away for photos, and then visiting with everyone at the reception.

We will be doing a first look mainly for time’s sake. We want to get a majority of our pictures done before the ceremony so we can actually mingle and enjoy cocktail hour. I’m also hoping that the first look will get rid of some of my jitters

This seems really odd and a little controlling that your fiancé is being jealous and competitive of your relationship with your dad... I feel like those are issues needed to be sorted out much bigger than deciding whether or not to do a first look

View Quoted Comment He's mad because I told him no and someone else yes. When we originally talked about the first look he said he doesn't care, but now that I am doing it with my dad he is saying he wanted it all along.

View Quoted Comment Then I would tell him tough luck and to get over it. It's your wedding too. If he refuses to compromise on a first touch, that's his problem.

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This exactly. We did a first look and it was our favorite part of the day. It definitely didn't take anything out of the ceremony - everyone still was emotional, it just lessened the anxiety and gave us more time to relax. It allowed us to focus on the day instead of the nerves. Plus the time saving element was great.

I am doing the same thing as you. Not doing a first look with FH but doing one with my dad and brother. I completely agree that doing a first look takes away from the emotion of seeing you walk down the aisle. Maybe try to explain it to him that way. Or try to compromise and do like a first touch?? So you two stand at a corner of a door way or something and hold hands but don't actually see each other. Just something to think about for a compromise.

I did a first look with my dad and with my H. I'm so glad we did! It didn't take anything away from the ceremony, and it helped to ease anxiety. We basically got to spend the whole day together, which was amazing because if you don't see each other until the ceremony, you don't get to spend any quality time together on a day that is supposed to be all about you.

I spoke with my photographer and future sister-in-law about a firstlook and they both suggested it. My sister-in-law did a firstlook for her wedding and she feels it was the best choice she could have possibly made. She said she enjoyed getting to spend extra few moments with her husband prior to the wedding.

My sister-in-law also said that once the ceremony starts you really don't get a ton of time one on one with your new spouse. She said she has friends who have done the first look and loved it, but she also has friends who have not and wish they did. She also pointed out that my fiance doesn't like to show emotion especially in front of large groups of people and she feels he is more likely to give me a genuine reaction if it's just the two of us. I really want him to cry when he sees me and she thinks I have a better chance of that happening when we are alone. My photographer said she also thinks that guys generally react more when there isn't an audience watching them. She always recommends doing the first look because like my sister-in-law said it gives couples time to enjoy each other on their wedding day. I feel the most important part to me is my fiance's reaction and I tend to agree he will most likely react more just with me and if he's going to cry he's more likely to do it not in front of everyone. My sister-in-law asked me if he doesn't cry will I be disappointed and I said yes. In her opinion, if I am disappointed all of our guests will be able to tell because I am not good at hiding my emotions. I am afraid that if his reaction isn't what I am expecting I will burst into tears and not happy ones. As much as I don't like the firstlook it might be the only way I get a genuine reaction for my fiance otherwise I could end up disappointed by his reaction at the ceremony.