first looks?

texangator · July 2009

Okay, so it's ten months out but I'm already having to figure out some aspects of the wedding day timeline for our musicians and photographers. The photographers are really enthusiastic about first looks because they say that they make for some great photos and that having a first glance makes things go more quickly between the ceremony and reception. I'm just not totally sold on the first look- but I'm not sold on having an hour's gap between ceremony and reception (when they're maybe a five minute drive apart!), either.So are you guys doing a first look before the ceremony? Thoughts? How much time for photos between ceremony end and reception start are you planning for? Or what did you married ladies do?

MnMShaw · July 2009

I did not do a first looks. However, if I could do it all over again, I would have. I had my ceremony and reception at the same place and there was just not enough time in between the ceremony and reception to take pictures so we were rushed and didn't get that many. Plus, you have to remember while you are taking pictures, people are just waiting at the reception for you. Maybe if you are doing appetizers at the wedding, then it might be ok, but we didn't so ppl were waiting. But that's just my 2 cents. :-)

Gerberlady · July 2009

It depends what YOU really want. Don't just do something that your photog thinks is a good idea. For me personally, I don't wan't want to see my FI or for him to see me until I am walking down the aisle, but then again, my ceremony and reception are at least 30 minutes apart. We are not having appetizers so after the ceremony, we are hoping the guests will just chill around town or at the hotel which is nearby and eat a snack before coming to the reception which begins at 5:30. The ceremony ends at 3:30.

mujerboricua · July 2009

We're doing a first look. We were concerned over the "don't see each other before the ceremony" thing but got over it. We're not being uber traditional so I was trying to hold on to one thing. But the decision came down to not wanting to waste time and an opportunity to have a quiet, beautiful moment with each other. We're going to be quite nervous that day and seeing each other will help calm us. We get to take pictures before our ceremony and enjoy our cocktail hour with our mostly out-of-towners guests. Spending time with our guests is the main reason we're doing it.Good luck deciding. Think out the pros and cons. I'm sure you'll be happy with your decision.

mujerboricua · July 2009

This blog entry solidified our decision: http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog/2009/04/14/first-look-pre-ceremony-or-at-the-aisle/Again, it's whatever you decide is best for you two. I figured I would share what helped us decide in the end.

sweetscarlet · July 2009

I agree 100% with Miss Mujerborica. Yes, having the moment walking down the aisle is super special, but that moment of seeing each other the first time is special wherever you are. At least that's kind of how we feel about it. And honestly, I want to squeeze every last second out of the day. To put so much thought into it and not even be able to attend my own cocktail hour? Pssh! I want to chat as much as I can with people so I can dance away the rest of the night.

reddie36 · July 2009

We are not seeing each other before but we also are limiting formal photos becuse we hate them! Our ceremony & reception are at the same place so we are having a cocktail hour before the reception begins. Our coordinator will herd everyone around the building and get them all set up for a big group photo so we can just come out and get in the front. Then family & us will take a few formal photos before we head back to enjoy our cocktail reception. I think we plan on 15 mins max for that, and we have a list of the specific shots we want so we don't go overboard yet get everyone in the pics we want.

dreamincitrus · July 2009

We won't be seeing each other before the ceremony since we're having an early ceremony and afternoon reception, so we'll have time in between to take some pics with good lighting. I'm not too traditional (at all really), but this was something We're both very adamant about this, because for us, it WOULD spoil the moment down the aisle and we didn't want that. We're having very few formals as well for our wedding. They're too stuffy and definately not how I want to remember the big day. There are plenty of fun, candid shots to take just walking downtown after the ceremony and I would love to take some in the lobby of our hotel as well since it's so cozy and historic. Photojournalism ftw.

erin&andy · July 2009

I'm with Gerberlady and dreamincitrus - we're not seeing each other before the wedding. BUT that is a big deal for both of us and our respective cultures. We're also having a morning ceremony and evening reception so we'll have plenty of time for pictures. You should definitely go with what your gut tells you. You are still ten months out and have plenty of time to work out the timeline, but I agree w/ Gerber - don't do something because your photog thinks its a great idea. Do what works for you.

texangator · July 2009

I am most definitely not the kind of girl who's an easy pushover. There's no way I'd let my vendors boss me around! My main concern is the big time gap between ceremony and reception. Right now we're looking at 4-4h30 ceremony and 5p cocktail hour, 6p dinner. FI and I won't be done with pictures until like 5h30 if we don't see each other before hand, unless we decide to move the ceremony to like 3h30... but then the guests will have an entire hour between the ceremony and the cocktail hour! Doesn't that seem like a lot to sit around and wait for drinks to start coming out? The guests will probably be staying at the hotel at our reception venue, so they could go to their rooms and freshen up, I guess. But we recently went to a wedding with an hour's gap in between and didn't show up to the reception until the time on the invitation... but we were the only ones, so everyone else had already picked over all the cocktail food and drinks! NO FUN. ugh.

shanwalk2 · July 2009

I'm so glad we DIDN'T do a first look. However, we did a lot of other things to save time between the ceremony and reception. I did all photos with the bridal party before hand. I did all photos with my family. I did all my bridals. He did all of them with his groomsmen and family too. Immediately after the ceremony we did our "big family" shots with both of us in them. Then they were released to join the cocktail hour. Then we went outside with the bridal party and took photos with the big group and us together. Then they were released. Then it was just me, him and the photographer for the rest of the time. I loved being with just him, taking photos, kissing, blah blah during this time. Total, our cocktail "hour" only ended up being about 40 minutes. I think the guests enjoyed it because the bar opened, appetizers were served and there was seating, if desired. I wouldn't change a thing.

SMickler425 · July 2009

We will not be seeing eachother till I walk down the aisle. I really want to capture that moment when he sees me for the first time as his future wife. I also want to make sure that it is caputured by both our guests and our photographer as well. I know that I have dreamt of that moment when we see eachother for the first time on our special day. But ulitmatley it is up to you I would seriously make sure that everything is special and right for you and your FI.

lynnyrd80 · July 2009

We saw each other before the ceremony for pictures and I totally recommend it! Getting to see each other before when we were alone and talk about things was pretty awesome. It was nice having that intimate moment to ourselves, instead of it being in front of an audience. I think that it helped me from being super super nervous before the ceremony, too. I think his face was pretty priceless during the first look and when I was walking down the aisle. It didn't detract from the feeling at all, just made me more comfortable.As a bonus, it took us maybe 15 minutes to take some family portraits after the ceremony and then we were off to party. Also, specifically to MJH. Taking pictures before meant that we could take a lot of really great pictures at the Mansion where we could take advantage of the beautiful setting.

ejayne · July 2009

We're definitely doing a first look. I love the idea of having that intimate moment where he sees me for the first time, and it's just the two of us. Honestly, I think his reaction will be much more open than if his first time seeing me were when I'm walking down the aisle. He won't be nervous about everybody watching. Plus, we want to get pictures of us in the daylight since our ceremony is at sunset, and there won't be enough light for all of the pictures afterward. And we'll also be able to join our party sooner! Yay! GL with the decision! It really is a personal choice... your photographer should be able to make recommendations for the best timeline, whichever you decide. Here are some links about collaborating with your photographer to create the right itinerary for you (and more)! (Read them in order!) 1. [url]<a href="http://tinyurl.com/lk97ft" rel='nofollow'>http://tinyurl.com/lk97ft</a>[/url] 2. [url]<a href="http://tinyurl.com/meuyfj" rel='nofollow'>http://tinyurl.com/meuyfj</a>[/url] 3. [url]<a href="http://tinyurl.com/m4jutt" rel='nofollow'>http://tinyurl.com/m4jutt</a>[/url] 4. [url]<a href="http://tinyurl.com/ngjcdz" rel='nofollow'>http://tinyurl.com/ngjcdz</a>[/url] 5. [url]<a href="http://tinyurl.com/km2pt3" rel='nofollow'>http://tinyurl.com/km2pt3</a>[/url] 6. [url]<a href="http://tinyurl.com/nvwyxe" rel='nofollow'>http://tinyurl.com/nvwyxe</a>[/url]

FromPenceToPrice · July 2009

I'm with the two above posters, that having a "first look" just between the two of you is even more special than waiting until you walk down the aisle. That way, you won't have a ton of people around and can react the way you want to react--smile, cry, laugh, hug, talk, etc.--without thinking "ok...keep it together..." because everyone is watching. I just don't think I'd be able to contain myself at the alter and just look at him and just hold hands and have to wait for one polite kiss. I want to hug him and kiss him and rejoice that it's our wedding day (and I won't want to wait until the ceremony is over and I don't want to do it infront of my family who will all be waiting to take formals). I can't wait for our first look moment!

first looks?

Re: first looks?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards