When did you see your groom??

fallbride'10

I'm hoping you guys can share your experiences on something I've been debating. I can't decide whether to see  my FI before the ceremony or wait until I'm walking down the aisle. I have always wanted to have that moment where he sees me for the first time as I'm walking towards him. However, the main reason I'm considering seeing him before the ceremony is to get pictures. I'm getting married after daylight savings ends and it will be dark once the ceremony is over. 

So.... when did you see your groom? Are you happy that you did it that way? Why? TIA ladies!

twilight.rose

I actually saw him while I was getting my hair and make-up done (he's a photographer and was doing some of the photos himself.)

After that, when I was dressed, we did decide to do a first look, and did photos from 11:30 AM to approximately 3:30-4 before our 4:30 ceremony. I am so glad we decided to take all our pictures prior to the ceremony. It allowed us to enjoy our CH and reception in their entirety. Also, it kept us from stressing about getting all the pictures we wanted after the ceremony, since our list of "must-takes" was fairly lengthy.

It was never really a question for us as to whether or not we would see one another before the ceremony. Many of our guests were from OOT, and we knew we wanted to maximize our time with them at the wedding.

Also, from a photographer's standpoint, when H and many of the other photogs we know shoot weddings, they appreciate first looks. It puts the photographer under less pressure to get the bride and groom to the reception quickly, etc. when the bulk of the photos are shot earlier in the day.

Beachy730

I didn't see him until I was walking up the aisle.  We weren't traditional on a lot of things, but that was one thing we both wanted.  Before the wedding we did all the pictures of him and the GMs and his family, and me with my BMs and my family.  Then after we did some group and family ones at the church, then went to Niagara Falls for the rest of our pics.  We are in an area though that gaps between ceremony and reception are very common, so we were fine doing pictures in between.

Lots of people do first look pics, and I think its a cute idea.  Theres a poster with a first look pic in her sig and I love the pic.  But I don't at all regret how we did it.

[Deleted User]

We are very traditional as well and didn't want to do a first look. He saw me for the first time when he was waiting at the end of the aisle as I came walking down with my Dad. I don't regret at all how we did things.

Like pp said, we took pics before the wedding in the bridal room with me and my BM's, my Mom and MIL, Grandma's etc. Our photographer did the same for the guys. Then we got more after the people had cleared out of the church. We also got pics when we got to the reception venue as it was at a country club and some of the bridges and things made for some awesome pics. (We also had a gap bc we were doing pic while the cocktail/hor'dourve hour was going on and people were socializing and drinking)

bellebride116

After we were both finished getting ready. We did a first look. We were extremely happy we did it that way. It was awesome to get so many pictures done ahead of time and not have to worry about them the rest of the night and be able to just enjoy! 

kmar022

I honestly wish that I woud have seen him first thing in the morning.  We had a first look at it was nice...but I know that if I would have seen him first thing in the morning, we both would have been a little more relaxed.  I actually wish that we would have shared the same hotel the night before. But it all worked out and was fine just the way it was.

Theresa626

I saw him first while walking down the aisle with my dad.  But, we had a gap in our wedding and there was (supposed to be) tons of time for pictures before the cocktail hour.  

If you do a first glimpse, make sure it is in a picturesque location and that you have tons of time before the ceremony to do it.  If youre stressed about being late to the ceremony, it will show in the photos.  Also, make sure there are two photographers.  One behind you to capture his face as he turns around after you tap him on the shoulder and another in front of him to capture what you look like when you first see him.  

brianabrad

I love the idea of the first look photos. FI and I still have lots of time to make the final decision but I do believe it will be something we do. We have 2pm ceremony so we will probably do our first look and family photos before the ceremony and all the photos with the bridal party after the ceremony but before the reception. We will actually have a gap between the ceremony and reception (I know big TK no-no but it's going to work well for us) so we will have lots of time to get all the photos we want. We might even have time to return to our bridal suite for a few moments before we are announced at the reception. 

I would say before you decide to do or not to do a first look just talk it out with your FI. I am sure together you guys will do what is best for you!

tinydancer842

I did a first look with my husband & I don't regret it for a second. It was a little more private & just our BP & family were around to watch. Immediately after our first look we did our BP party photos then went off around town with our photographer to take photos. We gave the photographer free range on places to go, etc. & we are very pleased with the result. He is very artistic & I trusted him 100%. Also because we did the photos earlier he played the photos from earlier in the day on his laptop during the reception by the bar. Here are 2 pictures from our first look...

Kathiiy

DH went to my dress fittings, we stayed together the night before, he brought me something to eat in the morning while I was getting my nails done, then two hours later I was walking down the isle towards him.
I would have loved it if we could have gotten ready together.  The time we spent with just the two of us on the day was the most important time of all, and it didn't make it any less special having already seen each other. 

kpwedkk

I too didn't see my DH until I walked down the aisle.  The first looks then were shared publically, instead of privately. 

We didn't want to first looks because the timing of the events didn't allow that, plus that's not like us. We did things the traditional way as well, and it was well worth it.

benmel31

We did a reveal about 2 hours before our ceremony.  I was hesitant but both DH and our photographer convinced me.  It was PERFECT!  We got out most of our tears and have these great pictures of seeing each other.  At one point, DH just kept circling me to take in the dress and everything.  We would have never been able to react this way if our first look had been as I came down the aisle.  I highly recommend this!

This is me walking towards DH.

DH just staring.

Laughing during our reveal.

Musicheals71

I had a Jewish wedding ceremony.  Jewish brides and grooms typically see each other before the ceremony since the signing of the Jewish marriage contract and the civil marriage license takes place before the ceremony, so I definitely saw DH before the ceremony for formal pics and the signing of these two documents.  However, seeing him before the ceremony didn't make seeing him during the ceremony any less special!

fallbride'10

Thanks for all the responses! We've decided to go the First Look route!

cheesecakethrill

We did our pictures before the ceremony so we saw eachother before. The photographer was able to capture the moment. I actually found it more reassuring so I could let it sink in that the wedding was really happening. It was still breathtaking walking down the aisle, seeing him at the alter and everyone else there. It was great getting most of the pictures out of the way beforehand. I have no regrets about it.