Who Did a "First Look" Before They Walked Down the Aisle?

island07b2b · January 2013

I was reading the comments on another wedding website and found that most brides are choosing to do the "First Look" with their FH before they walk down the aisle for various reasons.

The post interested me because I am seriously considering having a private moment with my groom prior to the actual ceremony. I like the idea of us seeing each other and our reactions just being between he and I (and the photographer of course - LOL). It will also save me the ugly cry in front of everyone and get rid of some of the nerves. Also, the walk down the aisle will still be emotional for the both of us no matter what. So those moments will still be captured.

What did you do, are thinking of doing, and why?

rowenac82 · January 2013

We did a first look and during the first look, I thought man why did I do this? Cause we were just cracking up and laughing the whole time, didn't feel that special and I thought great, now I ruined the emotion of him seeing me for the first time. Nope, we both still cried as I walked down the aisle and in the end I was glad that we got all of our portraits out of the way cause we were loosing light so fast after the ceremony that if it wasn't for the first look since our wedding was later in the day and in the Fall, who knows what our bride and groom pics would have looked like. I wouldn't have been happy!

fancywright2 · January 2013

I would like to do it, but FI has said he doesn't want to do it. He wants to see me for the 1st time as I'm walking down the aisle.

AshJohnson30 · January 2013

Both of us were against a first look, so instead we did a first touch where we held hands, talked and prayed together before the ceremony. It helped relax me, we got some pre-ceremony pictures and i still got to see him almost cry as i walked down the aisle. :-)

island07b2b · January 2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_african-american-weddings_who-did-a-first-look-before-they-walked-down-the-aisle?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:400Discussion:ab708d78-e5a8-401c-acab-8d0fcbe3a096Post:2cba873a-d315-4eec-8a7e-d0503ecf7037">Re: Who Did a "First Look" Before They Walked Down the Aisle?</a>:
[QUOTE]I would like to do it, but FI has said he doesn't want to do it. He wants to see me for the 1st time as I'm walking down the aisle.
Posted by fancywright2[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>Yeah. I need to make sure with The Dude that he is really ok with seeing me before the ceremony. I will reiterate why I think us seeing each other before the ceremony is a good idea but I want the moment to be special for him and if he thinks we should wait, then wait we will do.

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fancywright2 · January 2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_african-american-weddings_who-did-a-first-look-before-they-walked-down-the-aisle?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:400Discussion:ab708d78-e5a8-401c-acab-8d0fcbe3a096Post:83615134-784d-4397-a6d8-f1ab50e8178c">Re: Who Did a "First Look" Before They Walked Down the Aisle?</a>:
[QUOTE]Both of us were against a first look, so instead we did a first touch where we held hands, talked and prayed together before the ceremony. It helped relax me, we got some pre-ceremony pictures and i still got to see him almost cry as i walked down the aisle. :-)
Posted by AshJohnson30[/QUOTE]

That's a good idea! I'll suggest it to FI

leatba · January 2013

We'll be waiting until the ceremony. He doesn't want to see me before. Very traditional

nursing2u · January 2013

We first decided to not see each other until walking down the aisle.. but then realized we 1) DIDNT want to pay an extra 150.00 for that service at the chapel (Las Vegas).... 2) we can have that special moment between us and can also take some photos before the ceremony...saving time on transportation to and from multiple locations after the wedding for pics..

thedivav · January 2013

My very old fashion fiancé Oddly enough what's to see me before the ceremony I was shocked lol So I am sure we will do first look

Dannitra01 · January 2013

At first I wanted to keep things very traditional, but after our engagement pictures, I realized that doing a first look might not be such a bad idea. Although I loved the way our engagement pictures came out, it was a very humid day and after about 20 minutes, my hair started to fall and get frizzy. My makeup held up, but it didn't stay as as "fresh" as I would've liked. I think doing the first look will be a good idea because it will give us a moment alone, get rid of some of the jitters, we will both be fresh and at our best, we don't have to race against the clock for the sunset, and it's early enough that my glam squad will still be there to fix anything.

keysmit · January 2013

My FI doesnt wanna c each other before hand. He rather wait. I do like the idea of a first tpuch and prayer.. love it.

aquari0216 · January 2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_african-american-weddings_who-did-a-first-look-before-they-walked-down-the-aisle?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:400Discussion:ab708d78-e5a8-401c-acab-8d0fcbe3a096Post:6cebe91e-c32f-42bb-b839-608685bfc6dc">Re: Who Did a "First Look" Before They Walked Down the Aisle?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Who Did a "First Look" Before They Walked Down the Aisle? : Yeah. I need to make sure with The Dude that he is really ok with seeing me before the ceremony. I will reiterate why I think us seeing each other before the ceremony is a good idea but I want the moment to be special for him and if he thinks we should wait, then wait we will do.
Posted by island07b2b[/QUOTE]

THIS

OpenHeart0117 · January 2013

We are definitely doing the first look. I want our first moment together on our wedding day to be private. I think it's a great new idea, yes it's a twist on tradition, but it will still be eventful to enter the venue with all eyes on me and on him. Also, the lighting will be better in the daytime for our photos because we are getting married outside in a courtyard at 5:30PM in October. Our pictures will be a couple of hours earlier than that. One of the common things our photograper does is to have the bridal party take their photos before the wedding as well. We are getting married in New Orleans, so they will take candid shots in the streets of the French Quarter. This will save time after the wedding. I want my guests wait time to be minimal between the ceremony, cocktail hour, and dinner reception, so we will have taken a large majority of the photos prior to the ceremony starting.

ichoosethesun · January 2013

I LOVE this!<div>n Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_african-american-weddings_who-did-a-first-look-before-they-walked-down-the-aisle?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:400Discussion:ab708d78-e5a8-401c-acab-8d0fcbe3a096Post:83615134-784d-4397-a6d8-f1ab50e8178c">Re: Who Did a "First Look" Before They Walked Down the Aisle?</a>:
[QUOTE]Both of us were against a first look, so instead we did a first touch where we held hands, talked and prayed together before the ceremony. It helped relax me, we got some pre-ceremony pictures and i still got to see him almost cry as i walked down the aisle. :-)
Posted by AshJohnson30[/QUOTE]

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zantster · February 2013

We'll be going the traditional route but make sure that our guests have plenty of hot appetizers and drinks to hold them over until the full dinner while we take our photos. And we will have very detailed programs with specifics on timing and other things to see in the area so they aren't just sitting around waiting for us. We want to share our first moment with family and friends.