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Alex
Savvy July 2020

First Look, Yes or No?

Alex, on June 13, 2020 at 9:21 AM Posted in Planning 2 37
I am leaning towards wanting one but my fiancé said he wants to see me for the first time coming down the aisle. I see pros to both!
What have you ladies decided to do?

37 Comments

Latest activity by Jacklyn, on June 19, 2020 at 2:26 AM
  • T
    Super October 2020
    Trisha ·
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    We Arent Having A First Look. I Dont Want FH Seeing Me Until Its Time To Walk Down The Aisle
    • Reply
  • Mrs. S
    Super November 2019
    Mrs. S ·
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    My husband wanted to wait and I think it was best. The anticipation and the joy when I walked down the aisle was so great. I only wanted it for logistics and there really was no need. Timing and photos all went smoothly.
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  • Leanne
    Super September 2020
    Leanne ·
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    I’m not, I want the wow factor of coming down the aisle. I’m doing a first look with my father tho!
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  • E
    Super October 2020
    Emma ·
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    We are doing one. Our photographer recommends it. I wanted one to start with but FH didn’t. Our main reasoning is we want to spend more time together as our ceremony is at 5pm. We will be getting our first look and all our bridal party photos done before the ceremony even starts.
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  • Kristen
    Master November 2020
    Kristen ·
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    I am old school and prefer to see his reaction coming down the aisle. I think there are various reasons why some do first looks but it seems to me one of the big reasons is for getting pictures out of the way. I think if he wants to be surprised then wait until. I am even keeping my dress at my friend's house so he does not see lol.

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  • Sexypoodle
    Master October 2021
    Sexypoodle ·
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    We’re doing a first look because we want to get pics out of the way and actually join in on the cocktail hour and events that we planned, instead of missing out on time with guests (we’re also staying together in the hotel the night before but getting dressed in separate rooms).


    The fact is that, the first time he sees me will still be the first time... wherever we are. When that happens alone, we can actually embrace and spend time sharing that moment. We get time to fully take one another in, without distraction. Then we’ll see each other again as I walk down the aisle and that will be it’s own separate special moment. I’m considering not even having a photographer present because I want it to be a natural moment one-on-one and just for us.
    But when only seeing each other for the first time when you walk down the aisle, there’s no time to soak in that moment because there’s so much going on and the ceremony has to keep going (this is my second marriage, so I know firsthand). Afterward you’re rushed off to pose for photos and then excited to get to the reception. So that alone time of calmly doing nothing besides being with one another doesn’t happen.
    Ultimately, it’s whatever works for the two of you.
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  • Mindy
    Super November 2020
    Mindy ·
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    My fiancé said the same thing and it’s just as much his wedding as it is mine. I figure either way, that wow moment will be captured. Plus he’s kinda into a lot of the wedding superstitions.
    Honestly the only person I planned on doing a genuine first look with was my dad.
    At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that it’s just as much his day and compromise is key. I picked and planned most of the wedding so if he asked for something like no first look or a dollar dance or bouquet and garter toss or a specific cake flavor for the wedding party, then it’s happening.
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  • Kelly
    Champion October 2018
    Kelly ·
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    We did a first look and I’d absolutely recommend it. It didn’t make walking down the aisle any less special and we both bawled as I walked down.
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  • Queen Cone
    Devoted September 2020
    Queen Cone ·
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    I decided to go with first time seeing me down the aisle i think its more dramatic especially with the music and everyone looking
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  • Meghan
    Master October 2019
    Meghan ·
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    We did one and loved it. It was a super special moment for us. We absolutely love our first look photos and video. Walking down the aisle was still incredibly special.
    It also logistically works better.
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  • A
    Super December 2020
    Anais ·
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    We’re going to do a first look because we want to spend the time at cocktail hour with our guests, drinking and eating, instead of taking pictures. We also are getting married in December so the sun will be going down early and I’m Worried about pictures done later in the day that they will be too dark.
    We also are both more introverts so I’d rather have that moment with him only, and not with 100+ people staring at us.
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  • M
    Legend June 2019
    Melle ·
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    I did one because logistically it was better for us to take our photos before ceremony
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  • Pirate & 60s Bride
    Legend March 2017
    Pirate & 60s Bride ·
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    We did first look. Absolutely recommend. Favorite photos, time to connect before day was shared with everyone else, more time with guests during cocktail hour.
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  • MOB So Cal
    January 2019
    MOB So Cal ·
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    Daughter and SIL did one and had no regrets.... It was an incredibly sweet and special moment (and the photographers got beautiful photos from both their perspectives). It helped logistically in terms of the overall day-of timing, but daughter's primary motivator was that she was convinced she was going to be an emotional mess and did not want to end up "ugly crying" her way down the aisle and through the ceremony.... They still had "their moment" of seeing each other for the first time -- SIL's face was absolutely precious and daughter was glowing in his response. Daughter was actually MUCH less emotional than she expected to be (which was a good thing). They were then able to take a ton of couple and wedding party photos before the ceremony began. They still took some afterward, but also had time to join the cocktail hour. FWIW, SIL, who isn't typically very emotional, still cried when daughter and her dad appeared in the venue doorway to walk down the aisle (the videographers did a great job of catching that... Smiley winking ). For them, it was a win-win decision. Good luck figuring it out!

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  • L
    Expert September 2020
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    I personally dont like the idea of a first look. I love the idea of seeing the reaction for the first time while walking down the aisle. And I also think you get a better reaction that way anyway Smiley smile
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  • Amber
    Devoted January 2022
    Amber ·
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    FH and I agreed not to do a first look. He wants to see me for the first time walking down the aisle. Maybe you can do a first look with your dad or another close family member.
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  • Taylor
    Dedicated October 2020
    Taylor ·
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    No first look here either. Staying with tradition.

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  • Jai
    VIP May 2020
    Jai ·
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    We did one and loved it. Helped calm our nerves and we got to share that moment with each other. It was special
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  • Jasmine
    Master August 2021
    Jasmine ·
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    Its ok to not do one. I wanted one from the beginning but FH refused for the same reason. Once we met with our photographer for the first time, he started explaining all he would do.


    When the first look convo came up he side noted that he doesnt believe in the "I wanna see you for the first time bs" 😂 so it kind of bullied FH to agree to do one lol
    • Reply
  • Sara
    Expert August 2021
    Sara ·
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    We are doing first looks and then all the bridal party photos before the ceremony. We decided to do it this way so we can have time to talk to our guests during cocktail hour (while the room is flipped) and not have to talk and thank people for coming when the music is blasting.
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