First Look

We did a first look and I’m so glad we did! It didn’t make walking down the aisle any less special. We both bawled as I walked down. We really wanted to join in our own cocktail hour so that was our main reason for doing one.

I'm opting for a first look with my dad instead and doing family pictures before the ceremony. For most of the wedding I'm not being traditional but I really don't want to see my FH til I am walking down the aisle. That's my personal preference though. When my cousin got married they did pictures beforehand and then had a drink together at the hotel bar and I'm sure they were just as happy! Do what feels right to you. I wouldn't do a first look soley based on wanting to be at the cocktail hour though. Again that's just me.

We did a first look too! I don't think it ruins the experience for doing it, i was still so happy and nervous to see him at the altar. It was just logistically better for us to do the first look and photos before the ceremony

We aren't doing any first looks. We will wait until I am walking down the aisle.

My FH actually expressed that he wanted to be surprised and wait to see me for the first time walking down the aisle. I can't complain. I know we'll get pictures regardless and although I thought about doing a first look, it was never a deal breaker for me.

No first look.
No cocktail hour.

We want to do a first look primarily to have that intimate moment alone together, and because I think we’ll both be anxious and it will help us focus. We’ll do some pictures of us, but we don’t want the WP there so we’ll still have to do all the family and WP pictures after. We’re planning to use the spot where we got engaged because it’s between the get ready location and ceremony spot.

I’m staying traditional on this one. His first look will be walking down the aisle.

We are doing a first look. I want to be able to rejoin my guests as soon as possible and celebrate the rest of the night!

We are doing a first look & taking family pictures before the ceremony. We want to spend as much time as possible w/ our guests.

View Quoted Comment What will your guests do while you take photos? I'm curious about your timeline.

FH wants to see me come down the aisle. We aren't having a very big wedding so hopefully pictures afterwards don't take very long.

We are not having a first look. I'm very traditional, so we are waiting until I'm coming down the aisle.

View Quoted Comment Cocktail hours are uncommon here.

We only have a 3 hour gap between our ceremony end and reception beginning. So its kinda short in comparison to the usual 1pm ceremony, 7pm reception.

I usually run errands, go to a bar with friends for apps and drinks, sometimes go shopping for a gift and wrap it.

But we're only having a 3 hour gap because our ceremony and reception are in the same place.

We are doing a first look. I originally wanted him to see me for the first time when walking down the aisle but we’re going early to take pictures. I’m cool with either way.

We will be waiting. FH says the first time he sees me is when I’m walking down the aisle. We will take some family photos before the ceremony to help with time. I definitely want to make it to part of my cocktail hour.

We are doing a first look. It was my FH's idea. I think he's hoping it will make him less nervous come ceremony time. Lol We're also going to do about half of our photos so we can enjoy at least some of cocktail hour.

We did a first look and I don’t regret it at all. It was so nice to have that moment for ourselves. It was nice to be able to really look at each other, talk and take it all in. Yes, we had photographers but it was like they weren’t even there. They really just let us have our moment. It was one of my favorite moments of the day. Once the wedding started it was never just the two of alone again

We also took care of a lot of bridal party photos after the first look and we were able to enjoy about half of our cocktail hour with our guests. That was a plus

We did a first look and I am so happy we did. I originally did not want one but it made the most sense for our timeline. Our ceremony was at 5 and we were able to do family and wedding party pictures before also. The weather played a factor so we still had to miss most of our cocktail hour so we could do couple photos outside. It was such a special and intimate moment and my husband said after it was his favorite part of the day.

I kind if wish we could do photos before but I'm excited he wont see me at all that day until I walk down the aisle