First Look Vs. Waiting To Walk Down The Aisle

We are planning on doing a first touch too. We aren't super traditional but seem to be going traditional for the wedding and he doesn't want to see me until I'm walking down the aisle but we thought this might be a nice way to calm the nerves

I got caught up in the drama of deciding between the two and I had to take a step back and ask myself what I wanted prior to wedding planning. I think it's easy to read blogs, pinterest, and forums, and then start losing focus of what you originally wanted in the first place. When I asked myself that question, I remembered that I had always wanted my groom to see me for the first time when I was coming down the aisle, so we stuck with that since DH didn't care one way or another. We wanted to do a first touch, but ended up running out of time and got together with both bridal parties and prayed together while he and his guys stood in the foyer of the manor while my bridesmaids stood on some stairs and I was on the landing above. It was still a pretty sweet moment and put us at ease before the ceremony started. We also set aside some private time for sunset pictures so we could steal away for a bit during our reception while everyone else danced the night away. It all works out when it's what YOU want! Don't let yourself get confused and caught up in what others may want for you.

Initially I did not want to do a first look and wanted to be traditional where his first look was me walking down the aisle. My friend who is a wedding photographer told me that I should do a first look because it takes away all the nervous jitters and pressure of seeing each other for the first time. She said its a good intimate moment for the two of us to share together. Plus, I have a feeling ill be an EMOTIONAL wreck during our wedding. I can barely keep it together just thinking about it, and I tear up when I listen to our wedding song, what I want to write for my vows...my bridesmaids are telling me they probably can't keep it together when the day finally comes.. so its probably better for me to sob uncontrollably in front of just him and our videographer/photographer vs 150+ of my family and friends.

I'll tell you what I did, but ultimately, it comes down to what you really want to do. In general, I hear that people don't loose anything special between the first look and the walk down the aisle, and in the case of my friends wedding, they did the first look to also help their nerves.

We are not doing one, because I've been set against it from the start. The only pro that would occur for me would be getting pictures done ahead of time. But to me, there's a feeling that says, the wedding starts when the bride and groom see each other. We're not going to see each other between the rehearsal dinner and then and that makes sense to me. But, like I said, this is just me. Everyone has different feelings on it.

This is way we are doing as well. I always joked I wanted him to cry when I walk down the aisle and he took it seriously and said no first looks because thast the only chance he would cry... hes a hard head -_- lol I have been wanting a first look recently because I know it will save time on photos during cocktail hour but we are 22 days away now and were just going to do the first touch instead of rearranging our timeline lol

I have been dead set on the traditional method. My guy is a giant sweetheart and I can honestly say that for me and my dreams I am going to be praying and hoping that he cries. Lord knows I will be along with my MOH/BF. I have only one true concern with doing it this way. I want, no I need this moment to be captured. My biggest fear is that my photographer will let me down. This above any and all other stressors is by BIGGEST concern. FH has never been married, he is the only child, and I could truly care less about anything other than this moment being caught on film.

With that being said; I really like the idea of a first touch. My sister did this with he husband and I would do it a bit different than she did. I think having that moment along with my Dad praying over us and our union would be the best thing for my overly (pre-menopausal) emotional self LOL.

I would have chose not to to a first look if I wasn't getting married in January where daylight is done by 5pm and my wedding is at 4pm. we wouldn't have any daylight after the ceremony for pictures and I think a first look is necessary in this situation. I like it because most of the pictures are going to be done and we can just enjoy the rest of the night with our guests instead of worrying about being absent while getting all the pictures we want without worrying about time.