First 👀

The first time he saw me in my dress was down the aisle, and I am SO glad. I didn’t want to risk anything detracting from the moment he sees me walking down the aisle (seriously, look at this face!!!) I know plenty of people who did first looks say that it didn’t detract from the emotion of walking down the aisle but really, no one can say that for sure because no one has ever done it BOTH ways lol, and possibly losing even a fraction of the amazingness of seeing this reaction at the ceremony was never something I was willing to risk! The hour between the ceremony and reception was more than enough time for photos. Plus, our photographer pulled us out for 5-10 mins about once an hour during the reception for a few more. And seriously how many photos do you need lol.

Ugh the photos didn’t attach before, here they are

I know a lot of people do the first look prior to the ceremony, I considered it, but when I asked my FH he said he really wanted to wait until I was walking down the aisle. So that’s what we’re going to do. Even if the guest list is about five people lol.

I had the exact same feelings as you, but my husband really wanted to do a first look. He also wanted our moms to walk down the aisle together. His mom is single and my dad was escorting me so he thought that would be the best idea. Both of our moms hated this idea. I decided to compromise with him and agree to the first look if we agreed that our moms could walk down the aisle separately. He agreed. I'm honestly rather glad that we did a first look. My brother and sister-in-law didn't do a first look. Cocktail hour went way over because they didn't do any photos aside from detail photos prior to the ceremony. Below I have given two recommendations. One is with a first look and one is without. I also did a first look with my dad prior to the ceremony.

Without First Look

Bridesmaids photos with bride

Groomsmen photos with groom

Bride with her family

Groom with his family

Ceremony

Full Bridal Party Photos

Full Family Photos

Bride and Groom Photos

With First Look

Bridesmaids photos with bride

Groomsmen photos with groom

First Look/Bride and Groom Photos

Ceremony

Family Photos

Full Bridal Party Photos

Additional Bride and Groom Photos

We did a first look and in my opinion it didn’t take anything away from that moment. My stomach had butterflies as I walked and I was bawling the whole way down the aisle as was my husband.

The only thing I would say about the first look is that it saves time for pictures cause you can do pictures with yourself and your groom during first look. I believe his reaction will still be different because the further you walk down the aisle the closer you are to saying “I do”

I agree with you. My fiance and I decided that we will take the traditional route of him first seeing me as I am walking down the aisle. I have nothing against first looks, we just know that we don't want that! I think that cocktail hour will be more than enough time for pictures,

I am doing a first look. At first, I was hesitant, but from what I've heard, doing the first look doesn't really take away from the walking down the aisle moment (though you'd probably have to ask someone who already had their wedding and did a first look to confirm that). My fiance and I both want to be at cocktail hour, since we want to spend as much time with our guests as possible, and also because we're paying for appetizers for cocktail hour and we want to be able to enjoy those as well. However, I think it's such a personal decision. Consider whether the idea of your fiance seeing you for the first time as you're walking down the aisle outweighs the idea of saving time after the ceremony/attending cocktail hour. If so, then skip the first look.

Girl, an hour is plenty of times for pictures!!! Wait & make the 1st look at the aisle 💕

My fiancé was absolutely adamant that we not have a first look, despite one photography company trying to push it on us. So we are not doing a first look. Our photographer discussed how to make the best use of time for pictures and like others said, we are doing groomsman and bridesmaids pictures before the ceremony. Then we’ll do the just us photos, family photos and the whole bridal party during the cocktail hour. But it really has to be up to you, as someone else said, nobody knows if it would take away from the initial feeling because nobody has done it both ways!

We did down the aisle and it was so amazing. An hour is plenty of time for pictures.

We did a first "touch" and while there is a cute photo we both hated it. I wanted there to be a bookshelf between us, but the photographer set it up so that I could see him and he couldn't see me. He hated it because he just wanted to see me, and I got really emotional and teary so they had to fix my makeup. Maybe if he'd actually looked or he was actually behind the bookshelf it would've been better and not some in between thing. I'll attach the images, but I wish I hadn't done it.

At first we didn’t want to do a first look but decided in the end it was best. I can tell you it didn’t take away from anything. He was still just as emotional when I walked down the aisle. And the look on his face during our first look is my favorite photo from our wedding. And the best part is that we got to share that moment alone.

View Quoted Comment See? This is a great one!

We did a first look because logistically speaking we just didn’t have enough time in between the ceremony and the reception and I also just want more time to take photos before hand

I’m not doing a first look. I have always imagined the moment my FH sees me in my dress and it’s always walking down the aisle. We’re going to do pictures with our wedding parties and families before the ceremony. He will do his first then wait for me at the altar while I do mine. We figure we’ll take about 30-40 min each. And we will already have taken a number of pictures getting ready with our separate parties.

View Quoted Comment Ughhh yes i want that feeling and i want him to have that feeling . I think im going to wait until i walk down the aisle!! 😊 thank you so much

View Quoted Comment Omg look at his face !!! 🥰 this is definitely what i am looking for. Thank you

View Quoted Comment Yes thats what i was thinking of doing to get some pictures out the way. Yes i think i am going to wait until i walk down the aisle!! Thank you 😊

View Quoted Comment Aww that is an amazong picture idk why im so torn.