First look

We are not planning on doing a first look because we really want the excitement of the first time seeing each other to be at the alter. However, I know a lot of people have done one and loved the experience, and there have been lots of people here on this forum who said they were incredibly happy they chose to do one. This is 100% a personal decision between you and your fiancé and what type of experience you want to have on your wedding day. We are going to do all the photos with our respective wedding parties, parents and siblings before the ceremony to get all those out of the way. That way we will only have a few photos with others after the ceremony, then about 30 minutes of photos with myself and FH; and we will still be able to join our guests for part of the cocktail hour.

My first wedding, I did not do a first look, and I regretted it. I was in such a rush to get through pictures so we could get to our guests, that we missed a lot of good ones. This time around Im doing the first look privately.

We did a first look and I do not regret it. I also don't believe it took away from us seeing each other for the 1st time at the altar. We really liked having that intimate time before the ceremony of just us and the photographer, and thise photos are some of pur favorites from the day. Also, it made the timeline so much easier.

We did a first look and have no regrets. I loved our first look and our first look photos! It is nice to have that special time together before your ceremony. It is also nice, logistically, to knock out all or most of your photos beforehand.

Our ceremony is pretty much at sunset, so we'll be doing a first look! We'll have some time just the two of us, then we're actually taking all the family pictures before the ceremony. That way our golden hour photos after the ceremony can be just about us and being newly married! Our photographer is actually the one who recommended that timeline, based on the lighting, and my FH likes the idea of having the time just the two of us before our ceremony.

We are not doing one as we are wanting the traditional aisle moment, but everything I've read suggests people who have had one definitely didn't regret having one!

We did a first look and don't regret it at all. Same as you, our ceremony was late in the afternoon in the Fall. Logistically it made sense. Emotionally it helped to calm our nerves one we saw each other. We had the whole afternoon together which we wouldn't have had if we did pictures after. It was just us and the photographer for the first look which made it feel very special and intimate. Then we did the rest of our photos with the bridal party. After the ceremony we didn't have to worry about fitting in the pictures and missing out on some fun with our guests.

I LOVED that I did a first look with my husband for our wedding day My ceremony was at sunset.
And we were able to get done with a lot of the photos (wedding party, and immediate family) before the ceremony and reception time. My husband and I were able to basically enjoy every moment after ceremony without the hassle of constantly gathering everyone to take pictures because we did do cocktail hour. Which a lot of the wedding party were ready to drink lol. This was fine because again it worked out perfect for when we planned taking pictures and what not. And it took a lot of pressure/nervousness I had if I had walked down the isle to see him for the first time.

Had a first look and loved it! The only photos we took after our ceremony were extended family pictures and some of just us during golden hour. We loved not being rushed and that our families and wedding party (and ourselves!) could actually enjoy the cocktail hour. We ended up finishing all of our planned pictures early so we had time to relax and socialize with our wedding party and families before the ceremony and take more fun pictures that I actually love the most! We're also just not the sentimental types that would cherish the whole "first time seeing each other is walking down the aisle" idea anyway so that aspect really didn't matter to us - we were both just as emotional as we would've been first look or not!

With my first husband we did a first look and, to me, it took some of the emotion out of the ceremony. But then again that marriage was a train wreck so it could have been a sign.

With my current husband we did not do a first look and to see his face as I walked down the aisle was absolutely priceless. I think it would have felt way too rushed if we had done it before.

I did a first look and loved it because of the reason of having the time to do photos beforehand

We didn’t do it and the built up anticipation really made for a beautiful moment when we finally saw reach other.

If youre worried about timing you could also move your ceremony time earlier to avoid losing light and then extend your cocktail hour (if youre having one) so youre not feeling rushed. My husband and I will be doing a first look and all photos before the ceremony because once the ceremony is over we literally want to be done with responsibilities. We just want to party and have fun. We also have light to worry about since we will be doing an evening ceremony in early early spring. My husband also isnt a super emotional person or even a reactive person at that. So we're not missing out on that "special" moment at the aisle because we both agree he probably wont care at all lol.

I was so anti first look when I got married because I wanted that traditional feel of the first reaction when you walk down the aisle. I didn’t understand why people did this. BUT, looking back I wish I had done one. My hubs was so nervous and I feel like a first look would have eased the nerves and given us a few moments together before the ceremony started. I did a first look with my dad (picture) and the pictures are great, I would have had some great shots with my hub.



You can’t go wrong either way, but sharing my experience.

We will be doing a first look before the ceremony. One because it is a second wedding for both of us and neither of us are superstitious about that. Second we would like to get some great photos of us before the wedding. I think it helps to work some photos in before the ceremony.

Honestly I was hesitant. But it was one of my favorite parts of the day. And the pictures were perfect!! You get to see each other when you’re hair and makeup is fresh ( my wedding day was drizzling on and off so there were some touch ups involved) it’s a very special moment and I was more emotional about it than the ceremony itself. Also get the pics out of the way so you can enjoy the rest of the day!!😉🎉🎉

Thank you all so much for your input! I have decided on doing a first look and am less on the fence about it. My fiance said he wouldn't have cared either way if I didn't want to do it but we both like the idea of it. Especially after I've read a little bit more about it.