For those already married: "Sneak Peek" vs Waiting until you walk down to aisle

This is a great question! And I would love to see some answers! I'm debating the exact same thing. I really, really don't want to do the "first look" because I can't wait to see FH's face when I come down that aisle. Besides, I'm really traditional, so it just seems wrong to do the first look.

On the other hand....the first look is known for creating some AMAZING pictures (and I'm a picture freak). And it seems so intimate! You only get that moment once, you should be able to keep it to yourself, right?

We did one after much thought/debate. Here was the reasoning:

- outdoor ceremony starts at 5pm.

- we would be calmer if we didn't wait alll day to see each other

- we wanted outdoor photos and sunset is at ~6:30pm

- it would be difficult to get a clear view of each other's face from the distance of start/finish of aisle and guests will be standing (might be in the way)

In practice:

- the first look was soo much more intimate with just us (and the very unobtrusive photographer

- that feeling of walking down the aisle to marry your love is awesome, even after seeing him before the wedding

This photo. From our first look. How can I ever doubt how much he loves me and believes me to be the most beautiful girl in the world?

edit: And I don't think my normally reserved guy would have been this demonstrative if he had all kinds of people (ie wedding guests) staring at us.

Wow SongBird....your hubby's face is absolutely priceless!! I mean ABSOLUTELY priceless!

I would love to have a sneak peek for the reasons you just listed...I'm still working on FH, though.

Like you, our ceremony will be at 5:30 and I would really love to have that irreplaceable moment of just us.

Thanks!

We also wanted to enjoy the party with the people that came to celebrate with us. Since we took the majority of our pictures before the ceremony (just 15-20 minutes of just us in "sunset shots" post ceremony), we managed to get back to the party in the middle of cocktail hour.

I'm torn. I love the idea of getting those gorgeous photos, but I just can't bring myself to break tradition. I want to see him as I'm coming down the aisle.

I originally didn't want the first look but with time constrains we have decided it'll be best to do them with family shots after the ceremony

We chose not to do the first look .. Something about just seeing each other for the first time with our family and friends we didn't want to give that up.. I was happy with our choice.. I couldn't wait for him to see me when u finally reached the altar in my dress .. And him super handsome in his tux... :o). It's all about how you feel.. Go with your gut, don't debate too much!! You'll figure it out.

We did the first look! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT. We did all of our pictures before the ceremony, but still did a few afterwards with family. Our photographer led DH to the spot, then came and got me. We stood back to back for a few minutes, reading notes from one another. Then, when we turned around....he was speechless. We cried, we laughed, we smiled, we hugged, we kissed. It was just so perfect. We were SO happy to have that moment just for us, and only for us. It didn't take away ANYTHING from me walking down the aisle. If anything, it relieved some nerves. I will never forget that feeling of walking down to him. It was just so special.

Not only will you get a special, magical moment between you two, but it works out better in terms of logistics. We did ALL of our pictures before the ceremony. Maybe spent 25 minutes max after, then we headed to the reception. It was perfect. We got to enjoy much more of the reception we had paid all that money for. Our guests enjoyed spending more time with us. We got to spend the majority of the most important day of our lives TOGETHER because we didn't wait until the ceremony to see each other for the first time. Looking back, that would have been unbearable! So, my recommendation is to do it. You will NOT regret it!

We have a great pic (sorry, I'm not good at scanning things in (hence the rings for my avatar) but we did a first look, really enjoyed the quiet time together, AND have a great picture of DH with a huge, goofy grin as I'm walking down the aisle.