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Shanee
Just Said Yes June 2021

First Look Photos

Shanee, on December 1, 2020 at 9:27 PM Posted in Wedding Ceremony 1 33

I'm getting married June 2021 and booked a fantastic photography the first week of October. I'm really just now reading over my photography package and the day of outline. I noticed the First Look photo session where the photographer captures photos of my fiancé and I after we're both dressed but before the ceremony.

Call me old fashioned but I want his first time seeing me to be when I am walking down the aisle. Have any of you ladies done the First Look photos? Will you? What's your take on them?

33 Comments

Latest activity by Kimberly, on December 6, 2020 at 12:37 PM
  • Chrysta
    Master November 2022
    Chrysta ·
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    Nope, we are not doing first look photos. Like you, I want the first time my fiancé sees me to be walking down the aisle. My videographer suggested shooting prior to the ceremony just to save time. I asked My Fiancé what he thought about that, and he was adamant that we not see each other until the ceremony. So we will be doing photos with our bridesmaids/groomsmen and our parents and siblings separately prior to the ceremony, then taking photos together after the ceremony (while guests are at cocktail hour).
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  • Stacey
    Super May 2021
    Stacey ·
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    We were initially opposed to a first look and wanted to keep with tradition, but after considering our thoughts more we have decided to do a first look for a few reasons. The main one is that we want to share that moment privately together and not be too overwhelmed in front of everyone. I think it will help calm our nerves beforehand since we both hate being the center of attention. And, then we get to have another special moment as I walk down the aisle! In no way do I think a first look will make that moment any less special - in some ways we'll get to experience it twice! Finally, schedule-wise it really make sense since it will allow us to finish pictures faster and actually get to join in on our own cocktail hour. There really is no right or wrong answer - every couple has to do what feels right to them and your photographer should be able to accommodate either way as long as he/she knows ahead of time when planning your timeline! Smiley smile

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  • Stacey
    Super May 2021
    Stacey ·
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    Ok not the point of this post, but have you always been a Rockstar, or am I just noticing this for the first time, Lol? Either way Congrats Smiley laugh

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  • Chrysta
    Master November 2022
    Chrysta ·
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    Darn it, I accidentally posted too quickly LOL I was going to say... A lot of couples these days choose to do a first look, so most likely your photographer is just used to that schedule.
    If you and FH do not wish to do a first look, just make your photographer aware. They should be able to easily accommodate your wishes 😀
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  • Chrysta
    Master November 2022
    Chrysta ·
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    Hi Stacey! I have been for awhile now 😀 (I never pay attention to the “titles” on here either lol)
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  • Caytlyn
    Legend November 2019
    Caytlyn ·
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    We did a first look and we both agree, if we could go back, we would skip it.
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  • Michelle
    Rockstar December 2022
    Michelle ·
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    There are a number of threads advocating for first look photos to calm your nerves and cut down on gaps between ceremony and reception.


    I know a couple past brides who were insistent on not doing a first look until the photographer suggested it and they don't regret getting nerves calmed and pictures done before so they can go straight to reception to spend more time with guests
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  • Jasmine
    Master August 2021
    Jasmine ·
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    FH had the same thought of wanting to wait but after getting a more clear explanation from our photographer, he was onboard. I think it would be a nice time to really relax each other and spend quality time with each other before all the craziness happens afterward.


    Some couples would rather wait because they don't care to have one or think it'll ruin the "surprise" factor and that's ok too. Personally, I feel your FS could still be surprised like "Ok. This is really happening" even though they just saw you. That's a decision that only you two can make.
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  • Belle
    VIP August 1997
    Belle ·
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    I want a first look pictures, because we have to travel 40 minutes-ish from our hotel to the location. No way he is willing to be blindfolded all the way 😆
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  • Rebecca
    Master August 2019
    Rebecca ·
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    We did not do them, and we did not want to.

    It's really up to you/your schedule. We're both a bit superstitious (actors), so we kept strictly to tradition.

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  • J
    Beginner June 2023
    Jennifer ·
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    I for one am truly glad that u asked this question because I honestly wanted to know the same thing!!! I too am a June '21 bride and I always wondered how those pics were done because I always thought that the first time the bride was to be seen was walking down the aisle. The more I plan this wedding the more confused I feel I become🤦🏽‍♀️ #stressed
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  • Mrs. Spring
    Master April 2021
    Mrs. Spring ·
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    I'm old fashioned too. No first look for me.
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  • SLY
    Master January 2022
    SLY ·
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    It's entirely up to you and your future spouse! Like previously mentioned, many couples choose to do one, so photographers go ahead and add that in to their package/timeline! If it's something that you don't want to do, they will def. take that out!

    We originally didn't want to have a first look, but we're going to do one. That way we get most of our family pictures and joint family pictures done before the ceremony so we have less to take afterwards. This leaves us more time to enjoy our cocktail hour, visit guests, and mingle!

    All of our married friends had a first look, and they all said they loved it because it helped calm their nerves and jitters. They also said it didn't take away the emotion from the walk down the aisle look!

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  • Yasmine
    Master October 2020
    Yasmine ·
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    We didn't do a first look for our minimony and we also won't do one for our big wedding. Like you, we want his first time seeing me to be when I walk down the aisle. Even though we are already legally married I'll have on my big dress for our big wedding and I know it'll be just as special ❤️
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  • A
    Just Said Yes October 2022
    Amber ·
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    I’ve heard that some brides like doing it because they have a special moment alone together and then they are able to take pictures a bit earlier but I personally will not be doing a first look. We are still doing a moment together a little bit before our ceremony but it will be with each of us on the other side of large doors though. Either way I think it has to be something you’re comfortable with doing and if you’re not just let your photographer know so they can update the timeline for you ❤️
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  • Hanna
    VIP June 2019
    Hanna ·
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    We did one (in addition to all of the posed shots, bridal party shots, and family shots) before the ceremony because there was no way all of those photos could have been squeezed in during cocktail hour.

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  • Lynnie
    WeddingWire Administrator October 2016
    Lynnie ·
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    I am SO happy we did a first look!! We almost chickened out because it felt like too stressful of a photo op (just a little pressure to have an incredibly photogenic and emotional reaction 😉), but I'm so glad we did it!

    The main reason we planned a first look was for our photography timeline. We wanted to have as many photos finished before the ceremony as possible so we could join the cocktail hour and just enjoy ourselves from there!

    But the main reason I'd recommend a first look is for your nerves! We had a crazy wedding day (improvising in the middle of a hurricane), but even if everything is going smoothly on your big day it's still a ton of build up and people asking you all day long "are you excited??!!?!?" and "are you nervous?!?!?" Getting to hug him and have a (semi) private moment together was so grounding and centering, and I was able to let out a quick burst of nervous tears which definitely took the edge of!

    I don't think it took anything away from walking down the aisle, instead it actually let me enjoy that moment more! (And my husband still teared up when I walked down the aisle 🥰)

    First Look Photos 1

    First Look Photos 2

    First Look Photos 3

    First Look Photos 4

    ^^ This last picture is a personal favorite, because I'm actually freaking out about our wedding plans but it just looks like a sentimental and emotional first look moment! I was actually speed-ranting that "it won't stop raining and our wedding's ruined and I'm freaking out" while he calms me down. ❤️

    Photo Credit: Samantha Laffoon Photography

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  • J
    Dedicated May 2021
    Jenn ·
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    I wanted to do a first look before the ceremony, just so we can save some time doing photos after the ceremony (and have a intimate moment with the FH) but FH's one and only None Negotiable was that he HAD to see me for the first time walking down the aisle lol. So we have decided that I'll do a first look photo with my dad instead!
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  • Sylvia
    Devoted September 2021
    Sylvia ·
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    We’re doing a first look! It’s gonna work better with our schedule and photos. Plus, we want the moment we see each other a very intimate and special moment between just the two of us (besides the photographers afar!)


    We’re also going to spend that time sharing with each other our written promises/vows. Again a moment we only want to ourselves. (People aren’t gonna care about your vows during the ceremony usually)
    As much as we’d love that traditional moment, I know having a first look won’t ruin that experience in any way!
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  • Christy
    Just Said Yes November 2020
    Christy ·
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    We did a first look, but I wore my reception dress for it. That way we had a private moment, but it also didn’t ruin “the moment” of me walking down the aisle.
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