First Looks

We’re doing our formal pictures before the ceremony because lighting won’t be that great after.

FH absolutely refuses to do a first look for that exact reason. He said he wants to be surprised when he sees me.

At first we aren’t going to do but we really wanted to spend some of our cocktail hour with our guests so we decided to do it. My favorite picture from the whole day is when he first saw me and yet when I walked down the aisle he was still teary eyed. We also knew we had to take pictures after the ceremony and we wanted to get sunset pictures too, so we didn’t want to spend that much time away from our wedding.

We're going to do a first touch. It's in a library and I'll be hiding behind a bookshelf and he'll be on the other side and we'll touch around the bookshelf. Omg it's a month away!

I did a first look because it worked for my timeline logistically to get photos out of the way. I don't think it ruined the moment for me or him

View Quoted Comment This is exactly the same with me. This is my second marriage but it is FH first and he refuses to do a first look. Lol!! I am okay with this, I actually gave him an option and since he said no he wants to be surprised.

View Quoted Comment It's my 2nd and my FH's first as well. He doesn't ask for much of anything especially during this wedding planning so I respect any and every opinion he makes.

I have been debating back and forth in my head too on if we should do first looks...

View Quoted Comment Lol...my FH just keeps saying it’s up to me 😒😂

View Quoted Comment Oh ok...thanks

View Quoted Comment Oh wow that’s actually pretty creative! A month away?! I hope your day turns out beautiful!

View Quoted Comment Makes a lot of sense! I am doing an afternoon wedding and I do have a big wedding party...getting some pictures out the way early would benefit us! Thanks

Second marriage here. We’re doing a fist look because I want wedding pictures along Chicago’s lakefront but couldn’t afford any venues nearby or deal with logistics (parking, chairs, granny walking on sand, etc). I’m pretty sure he’ll cry again at ceremony

We're doing a first look.. I'll be nervous as hell being the center of attention so seeing him first will calm my nerves and give us a special moment alone before things get crazy with guests. I think it will be sweet and special and the advantage of getting some pictures done is nice as well. I know the moment down the aisle will still be lovely after reading some other bride's experiences.

View Quoted Comment This is why I’m torn...when you put it this way I definitely wanna do first looks now...but I’m afraid I’ll cry and ruin my makeup before the actual ceremony lol

This is something I also debated over. We're getting married this coming May and I started out not wanting to do a first look because I wanted to keep more towards tradition. I wanted "that look" when I walked down the aisle too. After a few months of debate I did some research on the pros and cons of doing a first look. They changed my mind and I have decided to do a first look.

On such a stressful day, it's like an ice breaker. It helps you both relax a little and actually spend some time together before that big step. It also guarantees your hair and make up will be fresh and looking its best. From what I've read from other brides, doing a first look doesn't lessen the impact you have walking down the aisle, but it lessens the tension and nerves you both will feel. And if you're like me, I get nauseous when I'm overly nervous, you'll need that little break. Hope this helps.

We’re not doing it because we both want to be shocked. Also I think it’s still taboo to see the bride before you walk down the aisle (my opinion) I honestly think it comes to personal preference

I was on the fence about it too, but my fiancé made some good points about doing it. It is good for timeline and being able to get more photos done. Plus he brought up what if he starts crying lol he didnt want to blubbering in front of the church like his best friend did lol

We’re doing a first look, and instead of writing our own vows, we’re writing letters to each other to exchange and read during our first look. My photographer had said she thinks first looks are a good idea because they can help calm both the bride and grooms nerves and not put so much pressure on the ceremony. Both my FH and I are shy and don’t love being the center of attention, so we don’t want to write our own, personal vows because it would just make us both uncomfortable during the ceremony having to read something like that in front of everyone (and I’m a nervous crier and I know I’d lose it during the ceremony if we did our own vows 😂). I personally think doing the first look at the ceremony is just outdated and I love the idea of doing a first look without the pressure of our family and friends staring back at us. And it’ll gives us a few minutes alone before the hustle of the rest of the day. But it’s a personal choice and anything you chose will be special for you and your partner!

We are not doing a First Look as FH want's to keep the traditional first look being at the ceremony. I would love to do one so we could get pictures out of the way and enjoy some of our cocktail hour but he is adamant. I would say it doesn't ruin the whole shock, maybe you not wear your veil or bring bouquet to the first look so that when you walk down the aisle with these things it will add an additional layer of surprise?