First look/photos before or after ceremony

We're doing a first look, mostly bc our ceremony will be at sunset, and so the light afterwards won't be good for pictures.

A lot of women who have done a first look said that their grooms look when he saw her coming down the aisle was still very special and emotional-- the first look didn't seem to take anything away from that

We're doing most of our photos, including a first look, before the ceremony. Just like Barbara, it's because of light issues. By the time our ceremony will be over it will be dark, and I want mostly natural light shots

Stellar-

You are going to get more reception/cocktail hour time if you do a 1st look. Your photographer can craft the shot & get both reactions. It can be done very well & the photog has a better chance at catching your FH's reaction than w/o a 1st look. Another plus is that some grooms say that they are more at ease when the ceremony starts.

But I probably see 40 ceremonies each year & I like the buildup of excitement, the look of pure love that the groom has when he sees his bride for the first time walking down the aisle towards him. The sense of place, romance, of the world standing still really comes together in a way you won't duplicate with a 1st look.

I am personally biased as well. I didn't see my wife before the ceremony nor the dress. What is the one memory etched on my brain more than anything else that whirlwind day? That moment I saw her with her dad on her arm- 27 years ago and it is still vibrant.

I'd say in my area it is about 1/3 1st look and 2/3 traditional. GL!

FH would never do it. He's very traditional in many ways.

Honestly, I would consider it for the sake of good photography.

We are not doing a first look. I am 100% dead against it.

FH and his family, GM's will do pics before the ceremony.

My girls and I will do pics before the ceremony.

Pics of FH and I will be done during cocktail hour.

Group photos will be done during cocktail hour.

No first look. Taking photos before and after the ceremony.

FH and I will be doing first looks.

I have always been really old fashioned and never considered it but because we are spending the night before apart and the rest of the day is going to be so hectic with everything around us moving so fast. We want that time to see each other and share a very special personal moment just the two of us before we start our busy day.

That is why we chose to do it, that and I want to walk down the isle knowing we said everything we wanted to say to each other when he first saw me and I first saw him. It will mean more that we shared that.

I just want to emphasize that every single person I know who DIDN'T do a first look is really glad they skipped it, and everyone I know who DID do a first look is really glad they did one. I think you will be happy with whichever decision you make.

It sounds like there are some really good reasons you don't want to miss your whole cocktail hour (and you don't want your photographer to miss it either). A first look might be for you.

I'm SO excited we're doing a first look. Although there will be photos people can see later, we get to see each other for the first time in PRIVATE so there's no pressure to react a certain way during such an intimate moment.

@Stephanie - thanks, you make a good point. I'm sure either way will be special. I do like the idea of my FH and I getting a few moments to ourselves before we go into the wedding.

Thanks for the perspectives, everyone!

We did first look photos for about 2 hours before the ceremony and we still used almost the entire cocktail hour to do more family photos. I would make a list of all the photos you want and see how much time you need based off that. An hour really isn't much time.

We're doing a First Look and are excited about it. I've never heard of anyone regretting it.

http://katelynjamesblog.com/why-do-a-first-look/

@Stephanie - thanks for that link. I love the "bride sneaking up on the groom" idea.

I'm doing first looks. I don't want to spend any extra time during my cocktails or reception taking pics. I want to mingle and have fun.

We did a first look for a few reasons; more time for photos, calm our nerves and it made for some great “action” and non-posed shots. We are happy with our choice, the moment in itself was very special and the walk down the aisle was still special and emotional. My only recommendation is do the first look alone with your FH. We did it in front of family and friends and it was awkward.

We are doing a first look for the reasons previously listed.

One of my BMs just got married here last month and they had their ceremony and reception at the same venue. They did not do a first look. We tried to get as many pictures as we could done before the ceremony, but there really isn't a ton of them that you can take without seeing each other. After the ceremony we quickly tried to do pictures, but guests got impatient since all they had to do was walk to a different room. They even ended up ending the cocktail hour early and starting dinner, somehow, without checking with the B&G first. Well, my BM got mad when she found out and wanted to go eat and we stopped taking pictures. The next day I found out that they had never took any formal couple pictures, at all. The only ones from their professional photographer they have of the 2 of them are first dance/cake cutting/etc. Just something to think about!

We're doing first looks beforehand along with all of our bridal party and family shots.

Honestly, I really just want that time of him seeing me to be ours. I want that time to just see him, joke around or whatever we want to do. I also do not want to feel rushed between the ceremony and the cocktail hour. With first looks, we'll be able to relax, actually eat something, spend some time with our bridal party and move forward with the reception.

Overall though I think the choice is up to you and your fiance. If he wants it to be down the aisle, go for it. If he wants that time alone beforehand, go for it.

We are doing first-look..before the crying..and he see me before everyone and smile and see how gorgeous I am...yea buddy

I have seen some beautiful first look photos and I though about doing it myself until I brought it up to FH and he wants no part in it. He wants the traditional way so we are sticking to that.

This is something I am unsure about as well. Tradition tells me not to do pictures before...but we aren't having a traditional wedding anyways, so we just might do it! The other idea is to do all family photos before and then save the bride and groom photos until later. Honestly, I don't feel the need to have too many different shots of just the two of us. I want a few picks but we don't need all the cheesy ones lol. The only problem with this is that we still need pictures with each other's families, so that might cancel out that option. I think we will just go ahead and do all the photos before.

I was seriously considering it by my FH wants to see me for the first time as I walk down the aisle and for me the experience for him is more important than a few good pictures. We will be doing as many pictures as we can beforehand though. Our hair stylist is coming at 9am and the photographer is coming at noon even though the ceremony doesn't start until 3, so we will have plenty of time for family and bridal party/groomsmen shots beforehand.