The First Look

We did a first look and have no regrets. It was wonderful to have a few minutes for ourselves before the ceremony. On the plus side, we also got the majority of our pictures/portraits out of the way, so we had more time to spend with people! It took nothing away from the walk down the aisle and just made me more excited to marry him! I was super nervous about walking down the aisle with lots of people looking on, and spending time with him helped.

We are doing a first look. I’ve never heard of a single person that did it that regrets it. I’ve also heard it doesn’t ruin walking down the aisle I’m doing it because my FH doesn’t like being in front of people, so I know I’ll get a more genuine reaction from him if we’re alone. I also just want some time together alone before the chaos of the evening begins! whatever you choose will work out, but I would highly recommend going for it!

You should wait until you walk down the aisle... #teamFH. I think it gives him that special feeling of seeing you with everyone for the first time. It's perfect for photos as well.

In my opinion, I don’t think you should do a first look. My fiancé and I decided from the beginning we are not going to do one. Yes I’ll be really nervous, but I want to see his initial reaction and emotions when he sees me walking down the aisle.

FH and I decided to do one. I have not heard anyone every say that they regret doing it. Also I always hear that it does not talk away from when you walk down the aisle!

We wanted that moment to ourselves and also wanted to get a lot of the pictures out of the way. I am thinking since FH is shy about being in front of people maybe just the two of us he will have a more genuine reaction then in front of everyone!

I think it just depends on what it important to you. For us both with practicality and spending time together the first look was the way to go. We wanted to spend as much of the wedding day together as possible, so doing a first look early and having time to relax and enjoy each others company is important. We also only have our venue from 5pm-9pm for ceremony and reception, which means we really do not have time for photos during the reception beyond 10-15 minutes at sunset. We want pictures in the mountains at a waterfall which is a 30 minute drive from the venue, so the only way to make that happen is a first look.

I have been married before and we did a first look and we were still emotional walking down the aisle, it doesn't change that moment at all.

We did a first look and it was one of my favorite times of the day. Even after seeing H before the ceremony I still got nervous before I walked down the aisle. H has also said that he loved doing the first look because he was able to get out his emotions without our entire families and friends seeing him lose it a little bit. He even still got a little choked up saying his vows. Personally, I don't think a first look took any of the emotion out him seeing you coming down the aisle after he's already seen you.

We were also glad that we got to get 95% of our pictures done before the ceremony so we could enjoy a few minutes to ourselves after the ceremony, while the guests were at cocktail hour, and then join our guests and start saying hello and thanking everyone for coming.

We’re choosing to not do one. I’m a huge sap when it comes to seeing the groom when any bride walks down the aisle and I can’t wait to see the look on my FH’s face

I wanted to do a first look to save time on pictures, but my FH was very against it. He wanted to see me for the first time at the aisle. Since he felt so strongly about it, we are not doing one. I think it is whatever will work best for you both!

We haven't decided yet, but I'm really leaning towards doing it. The place I'll be getting my hair and makeup done is right next to our ceremony site and has an awesome staircase out the backside of the building.

We are for sure doing a first look. I love the idea of having that be something private between the two of us AND I also really love cocktail hours and want to spend a much time as possible with friends/family so the first look will allow for pics to be taken ahead of time!

We didn’t even do a formal “first look.” My husband and I got dressed together in our hotel room. He saw me getting my hair and makeup done too. He came with me to the tailor when I went for my second fitting and I went suit shopping with him. You know what? We both still cried when I came down the aisle.

We both agreed we wanted to do a first look because it's going to give us a moment to be with each other and take in everything without all the eyes us. It's something personal for us. But, you guys should find some sort of compromise since your fiance wants to see you first down the aisle. I've seen some couples do something where they didn't necessarily see each other but there are photos of them holding hands or embracing back to back without having seen each other. Those types of photos were also sweet. But, do something you both will be happy with. I think the first look will be worth it.

Yes! Did it & highly recommend to 1) calm nerves/connect, 2) get so many amazing pics while relaxed 3) less photo time after ceremony = more time with guests.

We are not doing one but we are doing a first touch just to be able to grab hands and calm each other down a little bit before the wedding. We are definately team no first look though.

We are doing the first touch as well! A door or wall will be separating us & this is a time that we can have any words before we getting married!

I would recommend finding a compromise here. You may not be able to get certain pics done together before the ceremony, since it sounds like he wants to wait to see you, but you may be able to have some kind of connection to help break up the jitters for you. You can have something where you're separated by a wall or door and you talk or hold hands around the side, or he could even be blindfolded. These can make for very nice pictures as well.

View Quoted Comment I never thought of that. Thank you! ☺️

We aren't doing one, but we both are certain we want to see each other the first time when I'm walking down the aisle. I know first looks can calm nerves, get some emotions out of the way, be great for pictures, and be more intimate though. We are going to do a "first prayer" and hold hands on the outside of a door (both of us on either side) so we don't see each other but we get to pray together before our ceremony.

We did one and we have NO regrets! DH even says that the first look did not change anything about seeing me down the aisle. That part was still special and our first look was just as special