First Look- yes or no?

Original post by jaycee

Dec 31, 2013 09:23 AM

Hi everyone! My FH and I are getting married at the Swan Club this August, and the banquet manager suggested that we take our pictures before the ceremony. I love the idea of having that 'walk down the aisle' first moment where we see each other for the first time, but I also don't want to miss the cocktail hour while we take all of our pictures.

What's your advice? If anyone did a 'first look' before your ceremony, are you glad you decided to see each other first, and why? If you took all of your pictures after the ceremony, did things feel rushed?

Thanks! :)

Jocelyn1977 Posted: Dec 31, 2013 03:38 PM

First Look- yes or no?

No first look for us....for me, that moment when I walk towards him down the aisle just can't be replicated in any other way. Since we are getting married at our venue (which means no time in between to take pics), we will have to miss the majority of cocktail hour, but its worth it to me. And, honestly, my photographer knows I want 20% traditional and 8 photojournalistic/candid shots, so we r gonna send our wedding party and parents into cocktail hour as fast as possible. A couple quick pics and off they go. FH is even hoping we get in there for the last 15min or so (although I keep telling him to keep dreaming)....

Jott1015 Posted: Dec 31, 2013 03:55 PM

Re: First Look- yes or no?

Posted by MrsK

My husband and I did a first look. I feel like it was more special because we actually got to really look at each other and take in the moment. Not to mention the amazing pictures that capture all of the emotion. I also felt that the walking down the aisle moment wasn't really taken away. It's an all together different feeling and is still super special because you know you are walking down to marry the man of your dreams.

Hope this helps!

This!! When we FIRST got engaged I was totally against the idea then realized that I am paying too much $$ to miss my cocktail hour for pics! I agree its still a special moment that you can take in together. Plus the first look pictures are always amazing :) We are doing a first look.

Jott1015 Posted: Dec 31, 2013 03:57 PM

Re: First Look- yes or no?

Posted by shellabella2

We are doing a first look for multiple reasons.. Like many of the other girls said we want to enjoy as much of cocktail hour and we want to have that time where it's just the two of us.. We are also doing it because daylight is limited in the winter and we want to take advantage of as much of it as possible. Lastly our first look location is at our childhood bus stop where we first met as kids so it will make it even more special. Excited to have pics in the same spot from when we were kids and then on our wedding day!

Omg love this idea of doing it at your childhood bus stop!!! How sweet :)

Nicole0317 Posted: Dec 31, 2013 04:06 PM

First Look- yes or no? - Long Island Weddings

We are doing a first look! We are having our ceremony at Westbury Manor and I want to be able to spend my whole CH and reception with my friends and family.

dariamarie2 Posted: Dec 31, 2013 04:39 PM

Re: First Look- yes or no?

Posted by guitarstikibars

we are not doing a first look. i've waited my entire life for the 'WOW' moment while walking down the aisle and, to me, i don't think the cocktail hour is worth missing out on this.

This! Plus I'm extremely superstitious!

mattandjess2013 Posted: Dec 31, 2013 04:54 PM

Re: First Look- yes or no?

Posted by Amanda2022

We are not doing a first look. We are getting married at the church and have time in-between for pictures. We were at one point considering getting married at a venue, but I have always pictured myself walking down the aisle of the church and I didn't want to give that up. If we had to do a first look my family would be trying to sneak a look and it wouldn't be as private as I would want anyways....So it's honestly all about how you think you will feel, what you have always pictured. I never even heard about a first look until we started looking at venues.

THIS!

sgf2 Posted: Dec 31, 2013 05:52 PM

First Look- yes or no? - Long Island Weddings

We are doing a first look. Regardless of anything else, we are Jewish, and having the 'official' Jewish marriage license signing before the ceremony, so we will have to see each other for that. Honestly, FH is my best friend, and the thought of not sharing ANY of the morning of our wedding together makes me sad.

And not missing cocktail hour isn't gonna kill me either. LOL

coffeeisgreen Posted: Jan 01, 2014 12:26 PM

Re: First Look- yes or no?

I'm Team Walk Down The Aisle.

LadyBuggz Posted: Jan 01, 2014 06:18 PM

First Look- yes or no? - Long Island Weddings

One of the banquet managers suggested the same thing to my FH and I as well at the Swan Club. We are doing the first look! I like having that actual very first look just between my FH and I. A friend of mine did this back in 2007 and at the time, I was wondering how come he saw his bride before the wedding. So I recently learned of this whole 'First Look' feature that photographers partake in.

larlynn Posted: Jan 01, 2014 09:36 PM

First Look- yes or no? | Page 2 - Long Island Weddings

We did a first look and I'm so glad we did. It was the only time all day we had alone, we didn't even have the bridal party there, just us. It was my favorite moment of the whole day. I can only speak for myself, but there was so much going through my head when I was walking down the aisle that it's actually a blur. If that was supposed to be one of the most special moments of my life I would have been sorely disappointed because it was hard to focus with 150 people standing there looking at me and I feel like I would have been disappointed if that was the 'big' moment.

In the end, the whole day is a blur and once it's all over I think it's highly unlikely that having a first look would be one of your regrets. If anything I would have regretted not having one.

Simonenarissa Posted: Jan 01, 2014 10:13 PM

First Look- yes or no? - Long Island Weddings

We are not doing a first look.. I guess we are a little superstitious, and just the whole idea of seeing each other for that very first moment. The emotions and whatnot.
We have a slightly extended cocktail hour so I'm hoping we will have enough time to enjoy at least 15 minutes of it!!
Either way, right after the ceremony we are going to have about 15 minutes just the two of us in the bridal suite and have some CH food brought to us

katielynn Posted: Jan 01, 2014 10:52 PM

Re: First Look- yes or no?

Posted by melnmatt2013

Posted by MrsK

My husband and I did a first look. I feel like it was more special because we actually got to really look at each other and take in the moment. Not to mention the amazing pictures that capture all of the emotion. I also felt that the walking down the aisle moment wasn't really taken away. It's an all together different feeling and is still super special because you know you are walking down to marry the man of your dreams.

Hope this helps!

This exactly! So happy we did a first look. We got to enjoy a private moment and have amazing pictures/video from it that you just don't get when you walk down the aisle. It did not take away from the ceremony at all and added to the fun because we got to enjoy cocktail hour.

This!!! We're doing a first look. Not only to have enough time for daylight/outdoor photos and to be able to enjoy my cocktail hour...

but I want that moment. I want the personal moment between me and my almost hubby ... caught on film and just a private moment for *us* before we have to spend the rest of the day entertaining other people.

Soon2BeMrsMango Posted: Jan 02, 2014 08:01 AM

Re: First Look- yes or no?

Posted by cets1290

i'm too superstitious lol so we are not doing a first look. we are getting married in the church though and have a break in between for pics

This exactly. I love the reveal photos I've seen but it's just not for me personally. I've always in visioned that moment when the doors open at the church and it being the first time we see each other.

meejack1110 Posted: Jan 02, 2014 09:59 AM

First Look- yes or no? | Page 2 - Long Island Weddings

I am doing a reveal. We are getting married at our venue and there is no time in between ceremony and cocktail hour. But really my main concern is my outdoor July ceremony and that I will be a hot sweaty mess if I do photos after lol.

guitarstikibars Posted: Jan 02, 2014 12:16 PM

Re: First Look- yes or no?

Posted by dariamarie2

Posted by guitarstikibars

we are not doing a first look. i've waited my entire life for the 'WOW' moment while walking down the aisle and, to me, i don't think the cocktail hour is worth missing out on this.

This! Plus I'm extremely superstitious!

omg me too!!

Megglez108 Posted: Jan 02, 2014 02:38 PM

First Look- yes or no?

We're getting married at a church so we aren't doing a first look because we have plenty of time in between for pictures. If we were getting married at the venue that might be a different story.

agilbe23 Posted: Jan 02, 2014 05:16 PM

First Look- yes or no? - Long Island Weddings

We didn't do a first look. Everyone told us that we shouldn't miss cocktail hour and that even if you see each other before the ceremony that it's just as special. I'm sorry but there was NOTHING like seeing my groom for the first time while walking down the aisle. It was such a special moment and both of us cried like babies. Missing cocktail hour isn't ideal, but it's not something I look back on and wish I did. Having that moment with my groom and looking back on it is something you will always remember!!!

Michelle0 Posted: Jan 02, 2014 07:13 PM

First Look- yes or no? - Long Island Weddings

My FH and I are having the same debate. We are torn between waiting until the ceremony or doing the first look! Either way both options will be special for any bride.

Gambigoo Posted: Jan 02, 2014 07:23 PM

First Look- yes or no? | Page 2 - Long Island Weddings

We are doing reveal. Our ceremony is at 7 pm and I don't think we'll have enough time for all the pics we want. Our parents are not happy about it but were ok with the choice.