first look

JWebber44

Do most people do first look now? I really would like to save that moment for the ceremony but at the same time I can't imagine not seeing him all day! I'm sure I'll be crazy stressed dealing with both mom's and he can always calm me down so i really think not doing first look will melt all the stress away when i see him!

rlavach

I think this is becoming more common. I originally wanted to wait until the ceremony to see each other also. I wanted to really wow him. We had 2 issues with that. One, my DH was super nervous about being in front of people, so seeing each other earlier would help calm his nerves. Plus, 2mo before the wedding we added a videographer. That meant that the amount of time we left between the ceremony & reception was no longer enough to capture both photo & video (they needed us separately). 

So, my videographer suggested the first look. I have to say, it was the best decision we made. It was such a sweet intimate moment that we shared together, with no one else watching. We did all of our photos before & were able to enjoy our cocktail hour. Plus, I got my crying out of the way and was much more composed for the ceremony. It worked great for us.

StephBeanWed61502

It's entirely up to you, but most first looks I've seen have been staged really, really well, so they still have the "specialness" that most people associate with not seeing each other until the ceremony.  Personally, we're doing first looks just because we want to be able to hang out and enjoy our guests after the ceremony instead of running around taking pictures for an hour or more and missing out on the party.

fallbride1109

We decided at the last minute to do a first look and we do not regret it at all.  And yes, the stress melts away instantly.  Plus you get really great pictures of that moment and since you're doing it privately and not in front of 100 people, it's really special.  I personally think my husband showed way more emotion than he would have at the altar.  Here is the pic of when he saw me: 

jemmini6

I wanted to wait till the ceremony as well, but when we did our photography timeline without it, I realised how stressfull it would be to get all the pictures we wanted during the cocktail hour, and pictures were one of our top priority when planning our wedding, so we opted for doing a first look.

I'm so glad we did though, I LOVED getting to see H before and getting to actually hug and kiss and talk to him when we saw each other (which we wouldn't have been able to do during the ceremony).  It was some of the only time we got to spend alone the whole day (well, alone except for the photographers).

redhead3985

I second what everyone else has said. With the timeline of our wedding, and with photography being the most important aspect, we ultimately went with the first look. When you really think about it, it's almost *more* special because it's your moment to see each other alone for the first time. We have great shots of us embracing right after seeing each other, and that's something you aren't able to do if you wait for the aisle. And trust me, it doesn't make walking down the aisle any less special - he still beemed at me, and cried during the entire ceremony, it was so awesome. I was only nervous right before I saw him, and after that, every ounce of stress and nerves just melted away, and the rest of the day was just absolute bliss

rlavach

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_photos-video_first-look-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:30Discussion:9cca2a01-1290-4ae6-8ee3-4094ac589fb2Post:fe7152ee-e801-4827-8675-e9d417d34c0b">Re: first look</a>:
[QUOTE]We decided at the last minute to do a first look and we do not regret it at all.  And yes, the stress melts away instantly.  Plus you get really great pictures of that moment and since you're doing it privately and not in front of 100 people, it's really special.  I personally think my husband showed way more emotion than he would have at the altar.  Here is the pic of when he saw me:  :)
Posted by stephiehall[/QUOTE]
AH! I love his big smile! We don't have any pics of his face yet, but I have one of when I was approaching him. We did it on a narrow balcony of a castle. It was super romantic. He was so anxious to turn around!


<a href="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/images/store/11/8/1b380124-8d21-4f05-a8e5-4c29902f5ebe.large.jpg" title="Click to view a larger photo" class="PhotoLink"><img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/images/store/11/8/1b380124-8d21-4f05-a8e5-4c29902f5ebe.medium.jpg" alt="" /></a>

fallbride1109

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_photos-video_first-look-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:30Discussion:9cca2a01-1290-4ae6-8ee3-4094ac589fb2Post:81cef012-7f6d-4845-b11f-908e3b2438d1">Re: first look</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: first look : AH! I love his big smile! We don't have any pics of his face yet, but I have one of when I was approaching him. We did it on a narrow balcony of a castle. It was super romantic. He was so anxious to turn around!
Posted by rlavach[/QUOTE]

Awww, I love that.  We have some of those too. 

And OP, I also agree with Redhead--it doesn't take anything away from your walk down the aisle.  My heart was still pounding.

JWebber44

So doesn't everyone general clear out for first look. The wedding party and family! I think if it was a private moment I wouldn't mind near as much as having everyone there staring. Both our mom's are so emotional and would be crying and probably bossing! Don't get me wrong I love them both very much just as the date approaches they try to take more control. Guess I will talk with the FI about it

rlavach

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_photos-video_first-look-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:30Discussion:9cca2a01-1290-4ae6-8ee3-4094ac589fb2Post:aa48d930-abb4-44e0-91ca-cc000c90ccfc">Re: first look</a>:
[QUOTE]rlavach, I've been meaning to tell you that your sig pic is absolutely gorgeous.  
Posted by LucyHC[/QUOTE]
Awww, thanks!!!! That was maybe 2 minutes after the first look. Such a sweetie.<div>
</div><div>To answer the PP comment on making people leave, just discuss it with your photographer. Tell them that you'd like it to be a private momen, although they probably already know that. So that way they'll set it up somewhere where others aren't watching, or they can ask them to leave. I totally didn't think of asking for that, but it turns out that my photog & videographer collaborated on finding a secluded spot that was away from others. I highly suggest it! </div>

fallbride1109

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_photos-video_first-look-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:30Discussion:9cca2a01-1290-4ae6-8ee3-4094ac589fb2Post:6adac526-c9c9-4af5-bbd2-889511d863ee">Re:first look</a>:
[QUOTE]So doesn't everyone general clear out for first look. The wedding party and family! I think if it was a private moment I wouldn't mind near as much as having everyone there staring. Both our mom's are so emotional and would be crying and probably bossing! Don't get me wrong I love them both very much just as the date approaches they try to take more control. Guess I will talk with the FI about it
Posted by JWebber44[/QUOTE]

Yes, the first look is a private moment for the two of you with only your photographer there (who you won't even notice, trust me!)