To do first look or not?

I'm doing it because it gives us more time to do pictures. After the ceremony I don't want to be taking tons of pictures, I want to see my guest. It's whatever you want though.

Not sure where you live or what your ceremony time is, but it looks like you're a winter wedding too. For us with an evening winter wedding we would miss the light if we didn't do a first look

We're doing one in large part to get the emotions out before the walk down the aisle. I really don't want an "intense reaction" during the ceremony actually. I'm looking forward to feeling calmer and really just happy to see my FH at the end of the aisle. It's really just a very personal decision.

FH is strongly against first look (I couldn't care either way). He wants the first time he sees me to be when I'm walking down the aisle towards him.

My FH is completely against a first look and doesn't want to see ne at all on our wedding day before I walk down the aisle. He wants that experience and as long as I have waterproof makeup on I'm ok with that. We have a husband and wife photographer team that will get as many pictures before the ceremony as they can so it's not taking up tons of time before the reception. If it were not for having two photographers I'd probably try to convince him to do one though.

We're doing a first look. The way my wedding planner worded it was, "yeah, when you come down the aisle, it's his first time seeing you....but it's also 150 other people's first time seeing you too." I'm an emotional mess always so I wanted a private moment with him before the ceremony. When I told our photographer we were doing one, he was stoked. They definitely don't have to look staged and awkward. FH and I are silly and already planning on having a blast with it.

FH was against a first look at first, but we talked about the pros and cons, spoke with our photographer, and decided to do it. It's a totally personal decision, for me the big factors were getting more time for photos, getting some alone time with him to help calm my anxiety, and more time with family.

We're doing one. I'm also super emotional and don't want to be crying during our entire ceremony. I'm excited that us seeing each other will be a private moment for the two of us. We're also having our ceremony and reception at the same time so it makes the most sense for pictures

We did not do a first look. That was a decision we made together and neither of us regrets it. With our winter wedding, there was just no time to do it before the ceremony anyway. We still had plenty of daylight for our bride and groom photos, plus a good photographer can manipulate the photos in editing to make it appear as though it was much lighter--if I didn't see before/afters of those type of edits I would never have believed it was possible but it is! However, we chose to have our ceremony at 2pm to get more daylight. If you are having a later ceremony and a longer ceremony, like later afternoon or early evening, I would probably do a first look if you want any outdoor daylight photos.

ETA: I also agree that there are many first look photos that look unnatural and too staged for my taste. When I see them, im usually expecting to see a bigger emotional reaction from the groom than they have and I end up disappointed looking through them lol

FH doesn't want first look photos and I actually agree with him so we won't be doing it. We plan to have all photos done with BP and family before the ceremony and finish ours up during the cocktail hour.

As of now, we are planning on doing a first look. It cuts down on picture time, and settles the anxiety/nerves before the ceremony, which will really help me since I'm such an anxious mess sometimes. My FH said he will probably have more of a reaction with it just being the two of us anyways rather than having everyone at the ceremony staring at us. He even said he will probably feel too pressured standing there with everyone watching as it is. We feel it will be more sentimental and romantic having our first look just the two of us (and photographer).

But this is just our personal feelings, it's up to you and your fiancé to make that based on your own opinion.

We're leaning towards the first look. I have some misgivings because I always imagined the walk-down-the-aisle moment, and I like the thought of the anticipation leading up to the moment when the chapel doors open and I walk in and see him for the first time that day.

At the same time, I know it's going to be super emotional for me, and I'm not a person who enjoys being super emotional in front of other people. Neither is he. So it may be easier for us to have the first look. But we'll talk about it with our photographer and wedding planner, map out our day-of timeline, and see what makes the most sense.

I was against a first look until about 2 days before the wedding. I changed my mind and we did a first look. I didn't want to miss my entire cocktail hour and mingling w guests. To me, the experience of the day was more important. I'm happy w the decision I made.

I think after watching tons of videos, my main thing with the awkwardness is walking up with his back turned and tapping him on the shoulder, for whatever reason that irks me. Probably Bc when he turns around he can hardly see all of you Bc you're standing RIGHT. There.

So I talked to my photographer BFF, who happens to be my MOH, and I think having him facing me and me walking through a door or around a corner will still give me that feeling, and he can still take it all in.

Now! The question is, veil or no veil in first look? I'd like to save my veil for the ceremony to complete the bridal look, but I also want it in the photos. ????