First look?

We did not want a first look. I wanted to share that moment and emotion with all of our guests. The best part of a wedding is seeing the groom see his bride for the first time!

We did do photos separately with each of our families and my MOH and his BM before the ceremony which helped to minimize the pictures being taken after the ceremony. We extended our reception by an hour to make sure we had plenty of time to see everyone and also have time to actually dance and enjoy ourselves.

View Quoted Comment If you decide to do a first look, why not go right to the reception after the ceremony? The point of cocktail hour has traditionally been to keep the guests fed and happy while the newlyweds and their bridal party are off taking pictures.

I am current struggling with this because I am all for it but my traditional fiance really wants to wait to see me until I walk down the aisle. I'm planning on talking to him tonight (so it's so weird that I saw this post today!!!) because my photographer explained to me that if we take some of our pictures with each other + our bridal party before the wedding (after doing a first look) we won't have to stress so much. Sunset is at 6:10 pm on my wedding date and my wedding is from 5:00 to about 5:30 pm. We can get pictures with immediately family immediately after the wedding but wouldn't have time for all of our couple/ wedding party pictures before it gets dark. It's either we do the first look and make this easier or make our wedding start time 4:00 or 4:30 pm. These are always pretty tough decisions. Honestly I really think doing the first look would be a lot easier but how each of you feel about doing that is super important. good luck beautiful!

We are old so therefore old school....no first look. We will meet up at the altar

We are doing a ketubah signing before the ceremony so the first look makes sense for us. We’re also doing a mini first look with FHs daughter and she’s going to give him away. So excited for all those pieces of our day.

We did it! Our fav photos of our day (we were relaxed & not rushed). We had more time w/ guests during cocktail hour too. First look didn’t take away the “specialness” of the aisle walk either. Highly recommend.

Yes! this is the very reason we are doing a first look. I don't want to be rushed or have to run off and take a bunch of pictures.

We are not doing one. We will get separate "getting ready" photos but our first photos together will be at the ceremony.

We booked our photographer yesterday and although we did not want to to the first look, he brought up good points like you have and now we’re doing a first look.

I get the benefits of doing a first look, but we personally decided against it. I've always had this vision in my head of the first time he sees me being when I walk down the aisle, so we're sticking with that.

We have not talked about the first look. It is not our first rodeo as we are both in our 50s .

I saw some photographs where the first look was actually the groom being surprised by his 3 groomsmen in wedding dresses, ok they were sort of in them, one was in a strapless gown . It was hilarious! Then he had the first look with his bride. It was like the humor took the stress out. I was thinking of setting the first look to be my FH uncle, my uncle and his stepfather dressed in wedding dresses. 3 big cowboys in frilly type dresses would be hilarious, if they would agree. We are deciding between 2 venues right now. One it would totally work for and the other not so much. Will have to see how it plays out.

Fun Fun!

I was adament on not doing a first look until my photographer showed us timelines. It's definitely more time effective to do a first look, especially if your ceremony and reception are back-to-back. I feel like if you give a few hours between those, doing a first look wouldn't be as necessary.

View Quoted Comment I was the same! I wanted the big surprise of walking down the aisle...but after looking at timelines we are really considering it. We have a cocktail hour in between so we’d get to enjoy that. Also, all of my girls and all of his guys have spouses/significant others that are NOT in the wedding party. This would allow them spend time with their significant others during cocktail hour, too.

We are doing one so that we have plenty of time for photos and because I told my fiancé o really want to give him a hug and kiss before we get married. We will still do a few photos after the ceremony, but only for maybe a half hour instead of taking a couple of hours.
We will also do our group shots before the ceremony.

I did one and loved it. It was the only time that day I got to spend alone with my H. They are some of my favorite pictures. I liked that he saw me in my dress for the first time without a ton of people around me. I got the idea from one of my friends. She is very traditional, but still did a first look. When I asked her why, she said because she wanted to enjoy the time walking down the aisle with her dad because they are really close. I'm close to my dad and thought it was sweet, so I went with it. I'm so happy I did.

We are doing one and I'm really looking forward to it. The main reason I wanted it is for that alone time together before the ceremony starts. It makes sense to us. Plus, you cant argue against the added perks of having your pics done early.

I had assumed we would do one for timeline reasons, but we decided not to do one- FH's choice. He said he had always pictured it the traditional way, seeing me for the first time in the dress walking down the aisle.

No first look I want to see the excitement in his face as I walk down the aisle it was also his idea. My father hasn’t even seen me in my dress because I thinks those photos are more special when he sees me walk down his staircase from being his little princess to being a bride to be with my new husband 😭😭😭

View Quoted Comment

This.......I have no idea how we will get all the photos taken during the one hour cocktail hour, but I definitely don't want to see him until I am walking down the aisle......

We did! It was my favorite part of my wedding day - so special and intimate :-)

To have a first look or not to have a first look? Many couples find themselves asking this question. There is usually one main reason couples don't want to have a first look or think they shouldn't have a first look: Tradition. Couples that don't want to have a first look usually think they shouldn't see each other on their wedding day before the eagerly anticipated moment of walking down the aisle. They think their partner's reaction will be "bigger" or more genuine seeing them walking down the aisle. The opposite is actually true, and this is the first reason to have a first look!

1. More Genuine Reaction

For some reason, people assume that experiencing a monumental moment in front of a bunch of people (even if it is family and friends) will lead someone to display a perfect, fairytale-like, teary-eyed reaction at the alter. I hate to burst your bubble, but this isn't always the case. In fact, many people get too nervous in front of a lot of people to really enjoy the moment and, in turn, their reactions in front of others won't reflect their true feelings of excitement for their partners in that moment. When it's just the couple off on their own... the bride slowly walking towards her groom... the anticipation of seeing each other building... the moment they lock eyes and embrace... they forget anyone else is even around and THAT is when life feels like a fairytale and some happy tears might be shared! These few special minutes together might just turn out to be your favorite moment and memory of the day!

2. Ease Nerves

You've likely spent most of the morning or afternoon apart... finishing up last minute details... putting on make up... perfecting the hair... getting into the gown... adjusting the tie and cuff links... As the anticipation of finally seeing each other all dressed up after a few hours apart builds, the nerves might set in as the realization that such a huge, life-changing commitment (which will be in front of lots of family and friends) lies just moments ahead of you! You're excited, but you can't help being nervous, as well. Having a few minutes alone with your bride or groom before the ceremony is a great way to ease the tension, settle nerves, and be left with only excitement before walking down the aisle!

3. Only Intimate Moment of the Day

The wedding day is all about celebrating the happy newlyweds! You might not realize it beforehand, but during almost every moment of the day, you'll find yourself surrounded by friends and family. Your loved ones will want to congratulate you and talk with you and take pictures with you. This is all very sweet and celebratory; however, it doesn't leave the couple with much alone time. Having a first look ensures the couple is able to sneak away and have a moment to themselves to soak in the special day!

4. More Time For Photos Earlier

If you decide to have a first look, you can get more of the formal photos done earlier in the day, rather than having to wait until after the ceremony. If the couple is willing to see each other beforehand, they can take couples photos and bridal party photos earlier, and even take some family portraits earlier too (if some of the family members have arrived early).

5. Get Back to Celebrating Sooner

With more photos taken earlier in the day, you're left with less photos to be taken after the ceremony, and that means you can enjoy cocktail hour with your loved ones and get back to celebrating at the reception sooner!

I highly recommend a "first look" for couples getting married! Seeing each other during a "first look" before the ceremony is a very special and intimate moment shared with just the couple, and it can help ease some nerves before the ceremony. I promise... Doing a "first look" does not make the walk down the aisle any less special! Additionally, doing a "first look" will also allow for taking more photos before the ceremony, so there are less photos to take after the ceremony, and you can get back to celebrating more quickly!