First look photos

WildRumpus · January 2010

What's your opinion? Did you do them? We booked our photographers this morning, and she asked if we'd be interested in doing a first look rather than waiting for the ceremony. It would make sense to do them that way since we're not planning on a cocktail hour, but I also like the idea of Rick not seeing me until I'm walking down the aisle. I know we still have a ton of time to figure it out, I'm just curious as to what you ladies did or are planning to do.

vallyhoo · January 2010

We are doing them. It worked with our timeline better and everyone who I've spoken to who has done them has not regretted their decision. A few people I've asked that did NOT do them have regretted that decision so I am confident that it is a good choice.

FutureMrsTR · January 2010

I know a lot of people do a first look and said it was still special walking down the aisle, but I don't think we'll do one. We are having a cocktail hour though and don't plan on doing a lot of pictures. We'll probably do all but the ones together before the ceremony, too.

julezlee · January 2010

We did them and I loved doing it that way. I especially love the photos of us right before we saw each other and the moment in our video when he first saw me.

danieliza1127 · January 2010

We didn't do the first look. We both agreed that we wanted to stick to tradition on this, so we said goodbye to each other Friday night and didn't see each other again until I walked down the aisle. I wouldn't change it for the world.

I think it's really hard to capture that "first look" moment on camera. I don't doubt that it is still just as special as walking down the aisle, but I've never seen it transfer on camera. Whenever I say this, I offend someone who did the first look shots and who loved them, so I mean no offense, this is just my opinion from spending 2 years on the Knot and seeing tons of these photos.

None of that really matters though, you're the one who will remember how that moment feels and you're the one that will be looking at the pictures, so the decision you and your FI make is all that really matters.

kikibaby · January 2010

I've been anguishing over this myself, so I'm glad you asked.

Our ceremony is at 6 pm, so it will be dark after... I feel like we should do first look photos so we can have some outdoor pics in the daylight. But I do really love the idea of him seeing me for the first time coming down the aisle.

I have also heard from some people that it calmed their nerves a bit being able to see each other before the ceremony, so there's that...

[Deleted User] · January 2010

We did this and I loved it! It made that first look much more private and emotional. I know how H reacted when he saw me and it wouldn't have been the same if it were at the alter. It was still very genuine and we had plenty of time for pictures before guests arrived. I recommend it.

JessAndTrav · January 2010

We did not do them.

After the whole day of nerves and excitement, seeing him as I was walking down the aisle was such a great moment for me.

If you want to wait until you're walking out, then you should. Don't feel obligated because first-look photos are the new thing.

You do what you and your FI want to do.

PS: I don't regret it AT ALL.

laurenclaire1386 · January 2010

I think it's a really good idea. But I'm kind of the really traditional on this one detail camp with Dani. I really want the rehearsal dinner to be the last time FI and I see eachother before the aisle.

Brie2010 · January 2010

We're doing it. I'm pretty neutral on the issue, but FI feels very strongly that he wants to. He gets really nervous in front of people, and he thinks that seeing me before the ceremony will relieve some of the tension and calm him down a little.

[Deleted User] · January 2010

See, I agree with what Dani said, but I remember our first look and all the sweet things we talked about in that moment. It was more than a first glance with pictures. That wouldn't have happened if we were in front of everyone at the alter.

FutureMrsDudley55 · January 2010

We are doing this. It fit better with our timeline, we loved the idea and also, I get panic attacks. The attacks come at the most random times and we want to decrease any chance of me having one, That is my biggest fear.

kate51485 · January 2010

For time's sake, we will see each other for pictures before the ceremony. My friend got married this summer and did the same thing, and the shot of her H first seeing her is one of my favorite pictures from their entire wedding. The photog captured his expression absolutely perfectly.

I also like the idea of him first seeing me in a moment where we can be together and be silly, cry, laugh, kiss, whatever -- whereas I feel like in the church during the ceremony I'd have to kind of confine my excitement. Dunno, just a thought.

JessAndTrav · January 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_first-look-photos?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:5391c2a3-960e-41ad-ab4e-4566788ee211Post:30241319-3d4b-4bbb-b39c-61b952b9447c">Re: First look photos</a>:
[QUOTE]That wouldn't have happened if we were in front of everyone at the alter.
Posted by andressfrank[/QUOTE]

We talked on the altar. Not aloud, but whispers. Mostly just things like, "I love you" "You look beautiful" "It's finally here"

I was in the zone, and I didn't really see many people other than him and our officiant. We had about 200 people in the audience, and when I walked out, I only saw my husband.

[Deleted User] · January 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_first-look-photos?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:5391c2a3-960e-41ad-ab4e-4566788ee211Post:6bad5457-399f-4652-a09b-e7745b26a414">Re: First look photos</a>:
[QUOTE]For time's sake, we will see each other for pictures before the ceremony. My friend got married this summer and did the same thing, and the shot of her H first seeing her is one of my favorite pictures from their entire wedding. The photog captured his expression absolutely perfectly. <strong>I also like the idea of him first seeing me in a moment where we can be together and be silly, cry, laugh, kiss, whatever</strong> -- whereas I feel like in the church during the ceremony I'd have to kind of confine my excitement. Dunno, just a thought.
Posted by kate51485[/QUOTE]

Yeah, that's what I meant too. I know you can talk at the alter and we did a bit too, but it was nothing like me bawling at our first glance, haha :) By the time the ceremony came, I was all smiles walking down the aisle.

JessAndTrav · January 2010

I cried while walking down the aisle, but I've actually had people that could see that tell me that they loved that I cried, that it showed the love I feel.

This is very much a "to-each-his-own" issue. You should do what you and your FI want.

kikibaby · January 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_first-look-photos?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:5391c2a3-960e-41ad-ab4e-4566788ee211Post:b32f2b9c-3e23-4743-a3dd-e936c13fe55c">Re: First look photos</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: First look photos : Yeah, that's what I meant too. I know you can talk at the alter and we did a bit too, but it was nothing like me bawling at our first glance, haha :) By the time the ceremony came, I was all smiles walking down the aisle.
Posted by andressfrank[/QUOTE]

Good point on the crying! I know I'll cry when I see him... I'm about to cry just thinking about it. haha

pristinedemon · January 2010

It's just an issue of personal preference. IMO, first-look photos are really cute, and if I wasn't so die-hard on DH not seeing me before the wedding I would have done them. But it was too important to me to have the first look be as I was walking down the aisle. Just think about what really matters to you, and make sure you're happy with your decision.

pooh8402 · January 2010

we're not doing "first look" photos. I asked FI for his opinion, and he said he wants his first look of me to be when I'm walking down the aisle. aww. since I was kind of on the fence, this decided it for me.

c-dub · January 2010

Our wedding is still a long way off, but I don't think we're doing either one. I'd like FI and I to walk down the aisle together. And I don't really like the idea of having a photographer lurking around beforehand trying to capture a "first look." But we're going pretty minimalist on the wedding photography, which certainly isn't for everyone.

I agree with PPs...this is a completely personal decision and only you'll know what is comfortable for you.

MeaghanandMichael · January 2010

I don't usually do this without expanding on the opinion, but I have seen the perfect answer above.

Ditto Dani.

vallyhoo · January 2010

I do agree that I've never seen First Look pictures that I was crazy about, probably because they are so personal to the people who are in them.

WildRumpus · January 2010

The more I think about it, the more I want to wait...just have them take as many of the pictures without the two of us in the them as possible, then take the rest really quickly after the ceremony. I just love the idea of him not seeing me until right then

tenofcups4me · January 2010

We did our pictures ahead of time. That's the norm in my crowd and has been for as long as I can remember. I never considered doing it any other way. To me, it seems incredibly rude when a couple chooses to miss part of their party and miss out on time with their guests to take pictures. It's just bizarre -- in what other scenario, would you invite people to participate in a big life event then leave them to go take pictures?

squirrly · January 2010

I really want to do first look photos. FI isn't so enthusiastic, but says he's ok with it. We'll finalize later, but I really would prefer to spend more time with our guests at the reception AND with the way our venue is setup, it would be hard for me to 'hide' from FI pre-ceremony anyway.

thesuninherhead · January 2010

We didn't do them, and I really adored our photos of each of us seeing one another as I walked down the aisle... that said, I've seen lots of beautiful reveals here and I'm such each way has equal benefits.

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