Think I'm going to have to really consider a 1st look

What is your timeline like that you have to have a first look?

We are doing a first look. We are getting married at a country club with a golf course, so we are going to take pictures around the grounds before guests begin to arrive. I really like first look photos. I think it's special to just have the two of us there when we first see each other. However, I can see why people want to stay with tradition as well.

You have your husband stand somewhere, if you want you can have yours at the top of the isle already. And have him close his eyes until you're ready, then open them and Bam! He's surprised. You can assign someone to hold off the guests entering the area until you're done.
On the plus side, you'll get your husband's reaction all to yourself, it'll be photographed, he'll be able to take in everyone else's reactions when you come down the isle and that's a magical moment too.

Honestly I was totally against the first look as well but due to timing we needed to do it. In the end it was beautiful to just have the two of us for that first look. Find a place at your venue that is more private for those photos where guests don’t see you and give your photographer some ideas for what that picture looks like. We found a beautiful staircase and he stood at the bottom with his back to me and when I got closer to the bottom he turned around. He was in shock and the look on his face was priceless and I’m glad I got to enjoy that moment alone with him.

View Quoted Comment Awww.. that sounds amazing. Did your guest see you before the ceremony?

View Quoted Comment That's what I like to hear. Thanks for this. I need this

View Quoted Comment Well I have the venue from 6 to "11" she's now telling me that I have to stop the music by 1030 and everyone has to be out at 11pm period. I would think the music would stop at 11pm. I WAS going to have my ceremony at 615pm to give ppl time to get there. Starts at 6pm. She so rudely told me I should have told my guest 530pm. Anyways. .. vows would end at 640ish..I wanted a cocktail hour from 640 to 740. Start dinner at 740pm. Have everyone served by 8pm. Starting a murder mystery from 8pm to 10pm. Dancing from 10 to "11" but she says the last call for dancing is 1015pm
. Nice right? She also thinks I will not have enough time for my two dances and cake cutting. I had it planned to the last moment perfectly and she's like its not realistic. And she's probably right so here I am trying to find the positives for sure 🙄

View Quoted Comment No my coordinator kept everyone at the other end of the hotel.

I loved our first look! We did it outside in the gardens of the venue, just the 2 of us and the photographer. I walked up behind him and tapped him on the shoulder. I loved being able to hug him and get his full reaction to my dress ( I got to twirl a couple of times for him), we could laugh and cry and be giddy and goofy together. We had about 30 minutes just to ourselves, then we met up with the bridal party for all the formal and family pictures, for about an hour. We were mostly done with that when the first few guests started to arrive. We just didn't let them in till we were done and I could hide, LOL. And I know some people think the first look means the aisle won't be as special or emotional...but I could barely keep it together waiting to walk down the aisle, and we got photos of him trying not to cry as I came down the aisle.

First Look

Twirling

At the aisle

View Quoted Comment Hum... this made me very excited. Warmed my heart..okay I can see it now 😁 thanks so much hun

I LOVED first look. Our favorite photos of our wedding. We were relaxed and it was wonderful connecting privately before all the “party energy” began. You really don’t get long private moments otherwise. It didn’t take away from our aisle walk or vows one bit.

View Quoted Comment This is sooo encouraging ❤😉