First look? Yes or No?

We didn't do it and I'm so happy with our decision!! He wanted to wait and the look on his face when my Mom walked me down the aisle was perfect. He couldn't take his eyes off of me the entire ceremony. Our ceremony pictures are amazing

We're definitely doing it, along with as many pre-ceremony pictures as possible. We want to enjoy time with our friends and family, not take pictures after the ceremony. I'm truly hoping that we don't have to spend more than 15 minutes doing pics after the ceremony.

I think it's definitely about what your wedding is to you. If you want a big romantic moment, I think a first look is probably not for you. If you're more interested in participating in the reception, then it's probably better. Neither of those decisions is right or wrong.

I want to do a first look so we can get some pics in before the wedding but I have to run it by my FH. I have a feeling he's not going to agree since he is so traditional.

Not doing it, I'm very traditional in that sense. I know people who have and thought it was amazing but it's just not for me. There is no need logistically for us either as the ceremony, cocktails, pictures and reception are all in the same place. Talk to FH and photographer though as it may be right for you.

If you dont do a first look take as many pictures with everyone except your FH as possible and vice versa. our ceremony is at 6:00 but pictures start at 3:00. me and the bridal party, Fh and the bridal party, family members etc. get every picture possible done before the ceremony that doesnt involve you and FH together so that there's less pictures to be done after the ceremony.

We did it and it was amazing all my nerves ally worry went away when I saw my husband. He cried it was such a special moment I did not have bridal party present because I wanted it to be about him and I. I highly recommend it. Whoever mentioned it's staged is really depending on the photographer. We had to re enact it for the pictures but the video captures the real time moment and it was amazing

FH and I were on the fence about first look but after reading an article online (which I can't find anymore) we are doing it. Things the article pointed out:

~ more time for pictures = more pictures

~ a moment for just you and FH to take in the day

~ No need to have a gap for guest while we get pictures done.

~ A way to get emotions under control and less jitters. this I think will be good for FH who thinks he will be emotional. This way if either of us tear up it won't be in front of all our friends and fam.

~ I think seeing me walk down the isle will still be amazing.

~ the tradition was started back when weddings were arranged and the bride and groom may never have seen each other. The fear was if they didn't like what they saw, they may not show up for the ceremony.

We are doing one and can't wait! Not only does it allow us to knock out pictures before the ceremony and get rid of jitters, it will allow us a few private moments before we become husband and wife. We plan on sitting up front and saying a prayer of thanks for our relationship and to ask for support for our marriage. We have never thought twice about not doing a first look

I don't want to do it, just because I think I'll get more of a re-action out of him walking down the aisle then walking around a corner and just kind of being like "surprise, now tell me how pretty I look" lol At least at the church he can't really say anything till after it's over but do whatever feels right to you!

YES!

Here's why.

The "tradition" that everyone is talking about is actually not as sweet as people may believe. It originated in a time where the bride and groom would never have typically met before they got married, so the groom had no idea what his bride looked like. So the bride wore a veil over her face, which was not lifted until they were married and it was too late for the groom to run for the hills if the bride was hideously ugly. I understand the sweet moment of the groom seeing the bride as she's coming down the aisle, but, really, your future husband is probably not going to be up there looking bored as you are minutes away from being wed, even if he has already seen you in your dress. It's a completely different moment with an independent significance which would not be "ruined" if he saw you ahead of time. Finally, neither of you are going to feel any more inclined to "fake" a reaction during a first look than during the actual walk. In fact, I would argue that you would be LESS inclined because you would not be in front of all of your family and friends who are expecting a certain reaction. And, remember, you're going to have your photographer there at that moment as well. So what is really that different? That being said, if it's not your style, then don't do it. But as far as the "tradition" goes, if you've already MET your groom before your wedding day, you've technically already broken it.

We did it and I'd do it again in a heartbeat-- it was so nice to have some slightly quieter time with DH on a very hectic day. And the huge grin on his face as I was walking down the aisle made it clear-- he was still excited to see me during the ceremony!

@rusticbride - THOSE ARE STUNNING. You just made me excited for our first look.

@justine - that is my favorite post ever.

I will also say that I was in the room for my cousin's first look, and it actually felt really magical.

We did. I had 2 dresses, so what I wore for the first look was not what I walked down the aisle in. It was so emotional both times. I do not regret it AT ALL!!! I did not feel it was posed and unreal. Those emotions hit both of us hardcore.

I didn't want to do a first look but since our wedding starts at 6 and the sun will be setting at 6:33 that night, we decided on first look. This way we can get our pictures with the sun before it sets because the place has a beautiful waterfall where we want to take our pictures. And now that we are doing a first look, we can mingle with all our guest during cocktail hour.

We are for sure doing this! I would rather spend time with my family and friends then having pictures taken!

I was so much more relaxed walking down the aisle. I remember every second of it. The nerves were just gone and I was so ready to be married.

We're not doing a first look only a first touch. We both agreed that we didn't want o see each other before the ceremony.

We aren't. I was ambivalent about it but FH doesn't want to. He's been weirdly traditional about some things. We'll still do separate bridal party photos before the ceremony and photos with our individual families and then do all the joint stuff afterwards. Our families are a decent size but not so huge that we won't be able to fit everything in to 45 minutes or so. Plus we are having our dinner privately before cocktail hour ends so we'll still have that "just us" moment after we're married.

We aren't doing a first look, but we are doing a first touch. My plan is as we are getting ready in two different places we can take as many other pictures as possible to save time (Bride with fam, groom with guys, groom with parents etc.) and the bonus with that is we will be in our childhood homes for those pictures.

We are then going to do a first touch photo with a door in between us and ask to have a minute after the pics, just the two of us to talk even if we can't see each other before the ceremony. I think it's still going to help nerves and jitters from talking to each other and we save the surprise! Yay!