Discussions

To those of you who did the first look prior to the actually wedding ceremony - do you recommend it or not?  
I am thinking it would be nice to take some wedding party pictures before and then have the extra time to mingle with family and friends before and after the reception. But, don't want it to take away from the "wow factor" of walking down the isle towards my groom.

I'm a wedding photographer, and I've done both. Here's what I've learned.  
 
This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Staging the "First Look" just to get a couple pictures makes the moment feel forced, and puts pressure on the couple to make it look good, instead of just enjoying the moment. In fact, most staged "First Looks" that I've seen end up looking and feeling underwhelming. And most ACTUAL first looks (during the ceremony) are breathtaking.  
 
If you want to do a first look for your own peice of mind - perhaps you and your spouse would feel better having that private moment before all the excitement, or maybe someone suffers from anxiety that only their spouse can relieve - then go for it.  
 
If all you want is some extra time and you have two photographers at your disposal, try photographing the bride & her girls, and the groom & his men before the ceremony.  
 
But don't do it just for the pic.  
 
 
 
 
 
Edited by JanetAnne, 2015-06-10 13:12:54

When we got married we had an evening wedding. We took pics at 3 then got married at 630. I see nothing wrong with it.  
 
As a guest there is nothing more annoying than waiting FOREVER for the couple to return from pictures.  
 
This is why we did it that way. Skipped the big price of supper for 200 guests. Just did a small supper after pics for immediate family and wedding party (no spouses) just those involved in picture taking. Then off to the church. It did not take anything away from our ceremony. After the ceremony it was all of us to the hall. Did a receiving line, speeches, followed by large lunch, cake and dance. No waiting around for anyone.

My husband actually really wanted a "first look" picture, and he set it up himself with our photographer! What ended up happening was I came outside and he was there with a blindfold on. It was actually a really nice moment, we got to chat before the ceremony and check in with each other, and he didn't actually see me so his reaction at the ceremony was still authentic. Best of both worlds!

SchruteFarms said "My husband actually really wanted a "first look" picture, and he set it up himself with our photographer! What ended up happening was I came outside and he was there with a blindfold on. It was actually a really nice moment, we got to chat before the ceremony and check in with each other, and he didn't actually see me so his reaction at the ceremony was still authentic. Best of both worlds! "

That's cute! It would be neat for him to be blindfolded. He could feel the dress, and his bride, but it wouldn't ruin the authenticity of the actual first look.

Thanks for the responses! I think perhaps we may just go traditional route! There is about an hour overlap anyhow before cocktail hour for flipping hall. Not a large family either so guests wouldn't need to wait past cocktail hours!