First Look?

We are not doing a first look! My fiancé was also pretty adamant about not doing one, he wants to see me at the altar. Our ceremony is at 11, so luckily we won’t have to wait the entire day to see each other (imo, a downside of not doing a first look if you have a late afternoon appt). My mom is helping me get dressed but I’m going to do a first look with my dad!

My FH feels the same. I know there are a lot of benefits in terms of time management when it comes to doing a first look, but I think it is super sweet and romantic that he wants to wait to see eachother at the aisle, so we will not be doing a first look. I think doing one with your parents is a super sweet idea! It will save the magic for your fiancé, and will also get some pictures with your family out of the way before the ceremony, which will also save time.

My husband and I didn't do a first look for our minimony either. We will be doing one for our upcoming big wedding though even though we are already legally married. I didn't wear my big wedding dress to the minimony and it's still a surprise. So we're doing a first look for photos!

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Our wedding is at 2pm! So I'll have to wait awhile, but thats okay. I get quality time with my MOH and my FMIL, FSIL and future nieces. My mom doesn't want to get ready with us for whatever reason so I was planning on doing a first look with her and my dad, maybe my twin brother too.

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I'm glad we aren't the only one not doing one - my FH said he doesn't want to ruin the element of surprise beforehand. I'm kinda sad we will miss out on some pics together but I'm planning on sneaking away during reception for some sunset pics just the two of us. And we don't have large families/wedding party so hopefully we can get more pictures during cocktail hour just us.

View Quoted Comment No, you definitely are not alone on this! First looks are a rather new trend in weddings. It was 100% created by photographers because it makes their jobs easier. I would much rather have the magic of first seeing each other at the ceremony and not having the pressure of putting on some big, fake reaction for the first look. I also wanted to take my time and enjoy my day. I don’t want to have to wake up at the butt crack of dawn to have hair and make up done in time for a first look. I want everything fresh and beautiful for the ceremony!

A first look with your fiance is totally optional and personal preference - totally fine to skip it! I think doing a first look with your parents instead is a great idea!

Playing devil's advocate - H and I did a first look and we were both still super emotional walking down the aisle and during the ceremony. Sure, a first look takes away the surprise of how your partner looks, but it doesn't take away from how it feels to marry them - if anything, it amped up our excitement for what was about to come!

With that said, totally personal preference! Your wedding will be great either way

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Thanks Marianne! I was thinking it would ease the jitters, but there is nothing that will change his mind, and thats ok! I'm planning most of the wedding myself since he's busy with school but I can't have everything my way lol!

We are not doing a first look with FH until I am walking down the aisle. I am planning on doing a first look before the ceremony with my dad though

We won't be doing a first look either, our toddler will be walking me down the aisle to his daddy ☺️ my other option was if we were going to do a first look, we would take most of our pictures, then we would walk down the aisle together, and after the ceremony take a few more around our venue grounds.

No first look for us, for the same reasons the others have stated - we would like the moment we first see each other to be at the end of the aisle, but also, I think part of the pleasure of a wedding is seeing how gorgeous the bride looks, and then also turning to see the grooms reaction to seeing her.

I do think of course, that every couple should do exactly what suits them best, and I've not heard anyone say they regret their choice, whichever they went with!

I have decided instead of a first look, I'm having just my mum help me get into my dress and veil, and then want my photographer to capture the moment my bridesmaids, dad and closest friends see me come out in the full outfit for the first time.

While logically a first look makes sense, we’re waiting until I come down the aisle.