To do a first look or not?

We opted for it for the photo reason you mentioned. We want to be done with the formal shots before anything starts so we can fully enjoy the whole reception. But also because I feel we will have more of an opportunity to enjoy our "big reveal" moment personally... I'll get to hear from my FH what he thinks and get to talk to him when he sees me as opposed to reaching him at the end of the "aisle" and only being able to exchange smiles and looks as the ceremony begins.

It just has to be what you feel will mean the most to you and FH. ETA: big reveal not bug reveal lol!

Yes same here! i want to do it but my wedding is at a hotel and some people are staying there. I don't want anyone to slip up and see me.

We are Not doing a first look. He wants the surprise of seeing me as I walk down the aisle.

Fraziers, check with the hotel, they may have a private space you can use and possibly escort you to avoid bumping into anyone.

Definitely do it. Why would you want to waste precious time at your wedding taking pictures?

We are doing a first look. I get really nervous and to help calm me before hand we decided a first look would benefit us. It also helps get all the pictures out of the way (I don't like when you wait 1-3 hours for the bridal party to take their pictures). FH is very supportive and his family is old fashion as in you don't see the bride before she walks down the aisle. As soon as I brought up a first look he said yes right away and stood his ground when we told his family.

I love the big reveal I just know him seeing me walk down the aisle is going to be one of those moments he will never forget

Most of my friends have done/plan to do first looks for timing purposes and the opportunity to have the emotional moment be more private. We aren't doing one for several reasons (aren't having a ton of posed photos, shorter photographer timeline) but mainly because FH said it was very important to him that his first sight of me being that moment walking down the aisle. This is the only thing he's requested through the whole process so I am happy to accommodate it.

My FH and I are not doing a first look. He has been very adamant since day one about him not seeing me until I walk down the aisle. I understand why people do a first look and I love the idea but to see his full reaction at the end of that aisle will be one that we never forget. It's all up to what you and hubby want. For me personally, "posed photos" don't mean as much to me as the memory does. Some things you just never forget.

Almost all of my couples do a first look so they dont' miss the cocktail hour, they can visit with their guests, and their first look lasts more than 30 seconds. I think for some couples, that first look on the aisle is terrifying especially since they haven't been able to spend any time together all day, and for most of the evening they'll be pulled in different directions.

As the other person at the end of the aisle, I can tell you it's monumental moment, even if you've seen each other.

We are not doing a first look. One of the only requests that my FH has made so far is not to see me before the "big reveal" when walking down the aisle.

We are not doing a first look because we wanted the element of surprise. He hasn't e en seen my shoes. He asked for me to please try and wait until the wedding day so he could see me then.

Fri wedding here so we are definitely doing a 1st look. This way we can push our ceremony later in the day & guests won't have to take off as much time from work...

We did a first look and I am very glad we did. We spent about an hour taking the romantic and fun pictures. Then got pics with the family after the ceremony. Had so much more time to sow d with the first I think.

I am against the first look. I can understand and respect the 'pros' to doing one. However, I strongly feel it would ruin the moment of walking down the aisle. I've been waiting my whole life for that moment and I won't let it get taken away just to eat appetizers with my guest. I can see them at the reception. The ceremony is for me and FH. Cocktail hour and the reception is for the guest. That's my opinion

We did a first look and I loved it. We had a wonderful, private moment (even though the photographer was there, it still felt very private) together before we got married, and I thought the moment I saw my husband when I walked down the aisle was still special in it's own way.

As wonderful as those pictures are, I can't wrap my head around him seeing me before I come down the isle.

We are doing a first look. For the photo opportunity before ceremony, and it might be the only time we really have alone until the wedding night is over

Not doing one. I think the big reveal is way more romantic.

At first I did not want to do first look pictures because I wanted the first time FH saw me in my dress to be me walking down the aisle but our ceremony is in Aruba at 430 and were told that the sun sets extremely quickly due to it being so close to the equator so we decided to do first looks so we had nice pictures on the beach in the daytime. It is ultimately up to you, to each their own