First look?

[Deleted User] · February 2012

FH and I were discussing the timeline for the day and have concluded that the only way to get through the day without feeling super rushed is to do a first look and the majority of the wedding party photos before the ceremony.

I was really against it at first, but the more I think about it, the more its growing on me.

Anyone else doing a first look?

4n6chick · February 2012

No, my FI is really against it. I was kind of wavering myself, but he'd adamant and I'm fine with that.

Right now, if everything goes to plan we'll have about an hour between the end of the ceremony & receiving line and when we have to leave in the limo to get to the reception by 7pm. I think that's plenty of time, we're going to take photos before separately, with family and bridal party. I don't want it to be more than half an hour of pictures at the church, actually, because I want some photos at the venue.

cu97tiger · February 2012

Originally we were going to do a FL even though FI wasn't thrilled with the idea. But when our photographer sent us the time breakdown, it turned out we'd really only save about 15 minutes, so we are not doing one.

Have you talked to your photographer?

[Deleted User] · February 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_march-2012-weddings_first-look-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:955e4823-0be1-44ef-9ee7-99a63794e103Discussion:dba79f9f-a12d-4029-aa61-e0dfbb0ad76dPost:76264bbe-15fa-492b-8466-939fa24a4d7a">Re: First look?</a>:
[QUOTE]Originally we were going to do a FL even though FI wasn't thrilled with the idea. But when our photographer sent us the time breakdown, it turned out we'd really only save about 15 minutes, so we are not doing one. <strong>Have you talked to your photographer?</strong>
Posted by cu97tiger[/QUOTE]

<div>Yes, she encouraged us to do one back when we first started planning... but I didn't think we'd need it.</div><div>Our ceremony and reception are in the same place... and its so pretty there and there are so many spots I'd want to take pics, but getting around the property would eat up a good chunk of the 45-60 minutes we'd have for pics... so it would mean limiting where we took our pictures if we did it all then.</div>

cmac3504 · February 2012

We won't be doing a FL because we have several hours between the ceremony/ receiving line and reception. But.. if it was all at the same place, I might have done one for the sake of enjoying the day and not having to rush!

andreamarie77 · February 2012

I wanted to do one - mainly to calm my nerves if I saw him before - but when I brought it up to FI, he said no. He wants to see me coming down the aisle and not know what I look like before that.

So we will more than likely miss cocktail hour, but it's okay. We can have the WP bring us some drinks and apps

HobokensFury · February 2012

We are because I want outdoor pictures in the daytime and our wedding is not until 6 pm.

jbrook12 · February 2012

We are not going to. I was the one that didn't want it. FI didn't care either way. With out wedding and reception being all in one place it won't be the big of an issue. We are going to do most of the bridal party picture before the wedding and get that over with so that we have time to do other stuff after the ceremony.

jml1981 · February 2012

We are doing them for the sake of daytime pictures and because we're both ok with it. My photogs are really good with first looks too so I'm excited. We are getting married in the same place as the reception, but only have it for a total of 4 hours. I don't want to waste time with pictures afterward. We will do a few with parents, but that's it.

rebeccaa12 · February 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_march-2012-weddings_first-look-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:955e4823-0be1-44ef-9ee7-99a63794e103Discussion:dba79f9f-a12d-4029-aa61-e0dfbb0ad76dPost:0bae8b0b-549a-4397-9c5a-a62d41dbcd84">Re: First look?</a>:
[QUOTE]<strong>No, my FI is really against it. I was kind of wavering myself, but he'd adamant and I'm fine with that.</strong> Right now, if everything goes to plan we'll have about an hour between the end of the ceremony & receiving line and when we have to leave in the limo to get to the reception by 7pm. I think that's plenty of time, we're going to take photos before separately, with family and bridal party. I don't want it to be more than half an hour of pictures at the church, actually, because I want some photos at the venue.
Posted by 4n6chick[/QUOTE]

This.

rachel801231 · February 2012

I had thought about it and even brought it up to FI about doing a first look but he was adamant that he not see me until I walk down the aisle. However, we are doing the "non" first look photos where he can't see me but we will both be in the picture. Our wedding is at 3:30 and we are getting married in a church. The minister said we could be there at 12 to start taking some pictures before. The photographer will do the groomsmen first and then come take pictures of me and the bridesmaids getting ready. After the ceremony will be the group pictures.

elidellio · February 2012

We're doing one. We want to save time and our wedding isn't until 6:30 so we want to make usre we get outdoor photos, too.

bdgrl73 · February 2012

I seriously considered doing a FL, but FI is completely against the idea...

arrestclementine · February 2012

We aren't traditional by any means, and actually most if not all weddings around here have a first look. So we are doing a first look.. I really could care either way, and so did FI, but it just made more sense for us to do it so our guests wouldn't be waiting for us...

nikkinay89 · February 2012

We are actually taking pictures on Monday together. Here most people typically do bridals, and if you do some with the groom they are also called groomals. So we'll be taking pictures all fancied up together on Monday, so he'll see me in the dress a few weeks before the wedding, I'm okay with it, and FI is beyond excited. He keeps asking if he can just peak at the dress. It's so cute to see him like this.

KH 2012 · February 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_march-2012-weddings_first-look-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:955e4823-0be1-44ef-9ee7-99a63794e103Discussion:dba79f9f-a12d-4029-aa61-e0dfbb0ad76dPost:634074e2-71f7-4324-a72a-bccc4569be90">Re: First look?</a>:
[QUOTE]<strong>We are not going to. I was the one that didn't want it. FI didn't care either way. With out wedding and reception being all in one place it won't be the big of an issue. We are going to do most of the bridal party picture before the wedding and get that over with so that we have time to do other stuff after the ceremony.</strong>
Posted by jbrook12[/QUOTE]

<div>
</div><div>yea we are doing the same! me and the girls and me and my family before hand then him and his guys and him and his family beforehand then during cocktail hour we will take the rest! fiance def does not want to see me until the music cues!!!!</div>

mihuffman · February 2012

We are doing first look and pretty much all other wedding pics before the wedding. But we have a 5:30 ceremony, 6:30 reception.

FI is super traditional, but Photographer convinced him that first look takes the edge off of the "ugly cry" at the actual ceremony.

So that's what we are doing!

amh04 · February 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_march-2012-weddings_first-look-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:955e4823-0be1-44ef-9ee7-99a63794e103Discussion:dba79f9f-a12d-4029-aa61-e0dfbb0ad76dPost:0bae8b0b-549a-4397-9c5a-a62d41dbcd84">Re: First look?</a>:
[QUOTE]<strong>No, my FI is really against it</strong>. I was kind of wavering myself, but he'd adamant and I'm fine with that. Right now, if everything goes to plan we'll have about an hour between the end of the ceremony & receiving line and when we have to leave in the limo to get to the reception by 7pm. <strong> I think that's plenty of time, we're going to take photos before separately, with family and bridal party. I don't want it to be more than half an hour of pictures at the church, actually, because I want some photos at the venue.
</strong>Posted by 4n6chick[/QUOTE]

This is us too. FI is completely against it and I was for it, but the more I think about it the more I want that inital reaction when he sees me walking down the aisle. I get chills thinking about it. We are planning on doing pictures before - with family and wedding party and then some after at the reception venue. I figured it would get ride of some stress and would space it out some too and we wouldnt have to be at the church so long.

lisa&sean · February 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_march-2012-weddings_first-look-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:955e4823-0be1-44ef-9ee7-99a63794e103Discussion:dba79f9f-a12d-4029-aa61-e0dfbb0ad76dPost:d54175be-0272-4656-9094-e5d65a31bc61">Re: First look?</a>:
[QUOTE]We aren't traditional by any means, and actually most if not all weddings around here have a first look. So we are doing a first look.. I really could care either way, and so did FI, but it just made more sense for us to do it so our guests wouldn't be waiting for us...
Posted by amber0389[/QUOTE]

This exactly...amber and I are both in Vegas and EVERYONE does them! I think it will be just as special...especially because I get to kiss him when he sees me for the first time and you can't at the altar! lol

femmepink · February 2012

I would never, ever, ever, ever, ever, EVER!

That is one of the most magical parts of a wedding...when the grooms sees the bride walking toward him down the aisle to become husband and wife. He doesn't know what to expect, and when he finally sees her, I love it when the groom breaks down crying. So adorable.

I would never.

But to each his own! If it's growing on you, then do it.

I'd never do it for photography's sake either. Why ruin a moment like that for a picture? Also, my FI would never be okay with it. He wants to see me at the end of the aisle for the first time as well.

bstengler · February 2012

we are not doing a FL, my FI was soo agenst doing it that it wasnt even talked about! it was just nope. which kinda stinks because our wedding starts at 530 and we will miss cocktail hour, to take pictures.. which im ok with. (someone will just have to get us drinks.)

but im kinda happy we are not going to see each other, i want to see his face as i walk down the isle

i think that first look is one of the best parts of a wedding if not the best!

cyparks · February 2012

Ha, yesterday I was trying to figure out what to do about pictures because of my location and timeline. But after reading this, we will just do first look pictures and enjoy ourselves for the rest of the day! Thanks ladies :-)

miranda1211 · February 2012

We aren't doing it. Our ceremony starts at 7 pm, so we won't be able to have outdoor pictures of the full wedding party, but we're okay with that. The inside of the church is so beautiful that it's the only place I care about for having pictures!

mary1217 · February 2012

We are doing a FL. I think we are going to set it up where we would be in the position for the ceremony and then have him turn around when I start walking down the aisle. We want to enjoy the time with our guests.

Jen2012 · February 2012

Not here. My mom was very adament that neither my FI or my father can see me or my dress before I march my happy a*s down the aisle. That was really her only request so thats fine by me.

We have a cocktail hour between ceremony and reception where pictures will be done. The ceremony is at 5 so there will be plently of photographer friendly "low light" for them.

w+c3 · February 2012

We are doing one and I couldn't give too hoots about anyone's thoughts on it! I think FFIL nearly fell over when he heard but I don't care. We have to take them before because ceremony starts at 5:30 and sunset is 5:45. We'd get no really great pictures before. And if you can't get good bride & groom pictures what is the point of paying for a photographer.

From what I've heard no one that has done it regretted it. And I've heard it calms your nerves a little and that your FI will be just as excited and nervous at the end of the aisle because the ceremony is still very much a big deal. It may not be exactly the same but I think there is a difference between just seeing the "bride" and then him seeing his bride walking down the aisle of a church arm and arm with her dad and in front of a huge audience. Plus I've heard the alone time you get together is pretty much all you'll get all day so its a great gift!

ashbosity · February 2012

We are doing all pictures (family included) before the ceremony. It just makes so much more sense. Everyone will be in one place, not getting their ear talked off by Aunt Marge, no one will have smeary makeup or wrinkled pants. We aren't having a cocktail hour and our wedding is short and informal. Call me unromantic, but I don't care. There is a way better chance at the photographer catching my FI's reaction at seeing me when we're alone than while I'm walking down the aisle. Plus, waiting for the bride and groom to take pics is the worst part of the wedding in my opinion from a guest's point of view. FI has also seen me in my dress, although he "tried not to look" as much as possible. I had no one to help me get into my dress for my first fitting but him (my seamstress comes to your house).

First look?

Re: First look?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards