To do a first look or not?

We aren't doing first look pics, we are doing first touch. Also, I will make sure our photographer captures his expression when I walk out as our "first look" photo

We are doing semi first look pictures. My FH won't see me me because he wants to be traditional but we will be touching or behind a door. Here's an example.

Definitely doing one.

- I want the first time he sees me to be private

- Allows us to get some emotions out beforehand and help calm nerves. Seeing each other before the actual wedding will really help with the nervousness and stress for us

- We can get the boring pictures out of the way before the wedding

- When I walk down the aisle, it will be still be a huge moment for us. For the first time ever, he will be watching his bride walk toward him. Seeing each other dressed up for the wedding will not create the same feelings as me walking down the aisle/him seeing me walk down the aisle will. We will be feeling different emotions during the first look vs the processional.

I'm team first look. Like you said, to get pictures out of the way. But I also am really looking forward to those few minutes alone (aside from photographers) to just enjoy the calm before the day flies by us.

I've had this debate a lot with myself. My fiance didn't care either way and said it was my decision. So I have been going back and forth. And I have now been in a wedding with a first look and without. Finally I decided I wanted a first look. It makes for super cute and special pics that you may not get otherwise. It allows you to get all those pics out of the way and only have to do a few after the ceremony. Which then also allows you to enjoy more time with your guests. For me it came down to I feel there are more pros to it than cons. And that feeling that comed with the big reveal of you walking down the aisle will still be there. Cause even though he knows what you look like the feeling of seeing you is different then the feeling of you walking towards him to marry him. It will also help to alleviate any nerves. Obviosuly it is completely your decision but I am a huge supporter of first look. And the other wedding I was in that didn't do a first look now wishes that she had.

I still have not decided either

I wouldn't have minded one (to get the nerves out if nothing else) but FH was dead set on not doing it. He wants to have that moment of seeing me for the first time walking down the aisle.

No reveal... I want him to be like wowwwwww down the aisle.

My FH and I will not be doing a first look, but will be doing something similar to what @aylenrose and her FH are doing. More like the photo below. I know I will be nervous and he will be able to calm my nervous, but we want the big aisle first look moment.

We are not.

We are not doing a first look. We talked about it but FH wants to go the traditional way of seeing me for the first time walking down the isle. It is up to you though, a lot of people opt to do a first look to get rid of the emotions and nerves backstage, where nobody sees them. I don't see that working for us.

We will be doing a first look. Not only because I want all the pictures done before the ceremony, but also because I want the moment when he sees me for the first time to be private. I want to remember it and soak in the moment with just him, not 100+ people watching us.

We did a first look and we STILL missed all of cocktail hour because we had a large bridal party and it was difficult organizing everyone (one member routinely disappeared to get another drink lol). Anyway, I loved our first look. It was just me and DW and we were at a resort in the mountains, so our photographer found a private place in the back of the hotel by the woods. It was so quiet except for a gentle snowfall. It gave us a chance to just be together and enjoy our day before the craziness. There were moments where we didn't even talk; just held each other and enjoyed being together. When we were ready to go, we got our outdoor photos out of the way because it was so freaking cold, then we moved inside to gather the bridal party, parents, and family to do all the formal shots. The time flew by.

As for DW seeing me walking down the aisle, I did something crazy. I had bought a dress already and had dress regret. I went back and bought a second dress. So I used the first dress for the first look and the second dress for the ceremony. I realize this isn't an option for most, but it worked for me. I can tell you the moment of walking down the aisle didn't change just because we'd seen each other earlier. My DW wore the same outfit for first look and ceremony and I was every bit as enamored with the way she looked when I saw her at the altar as I was when I saw her on our first look. It honestly doesn't change anything. It just enhances the day and your memories of it.

Not doing it! We want the big reveal at the aisle!

I was thinking about doing it, then I decided not to I want to see his reaction when he sees me for the first time in my dress.

I wanted to do one but FH is against it. Which seems like the reason a lot of people aren't doing it. What do they have against it

Definitely doing it. All my friends who have were so nervous the day of, and those nerves faded as soon as they saw their significant other! Also, I really want to spend our entire cocktail hour with our guests, as our wedding is destination and everyone is coming into town just for the celebration.

Definitely doing it. All my friends who have were so nervous the day of, and those nerves faded as soon as they saw their significant other! Also, I really want to spend our entire cocktail hour with our guests, as our wedding is destination and everyone is coming into town just for the celebration.

We are not doing a first look.. he wants the first time he see's me to be when I am walking down the aisle.. and I'm gonna respect his opinion on this one. But I am going to blind fold him so we can have a moment before the ceremony (like the picture below) we get a moment together, he can't see me and we get an awesome memorable picture. win win win.

I posted a thread about first looks a while ago, and it convinced me to do one!

https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/show-me-your-first-look-pics/bd12448a1c34aca2.html