"The First Look"

What is it?

This?

Glad I wasn't the only one wondering lol

What is it?

My understanding is that it's when the bride and groom have a photo session on the wedding morning before walking down the aisle.

I'm not having it - I want to see OH's reaction as I walk down the aisle and if he's seen me before I think it'll take away from this

It's where the bride and groom have a private moment before the ceremony to see each other for the first time

Is that an american thing?

I don't understand the point. I definitely wouldn't have done that.

No way, no how. My main daydream of our wedding is walking in with everyone there and him seeing me. I don't want to change that one little bit.

Not me then. We'll be spending the night together as always, then the morning we'll be decorating the venue together, with any other guests that have arrived, and then lunching together. After that we'll head off to get ready and head back to the venue seperately. I want the first time he sees my dress to be in front of, and with, everyone else ?

Isn't the "first look" still the first look regardless if its in private or infront of family & friends as you walk down the aisle to meet your other half ??

My other half can see me at the same time as everyone else ...he can have his private moment later away from any cameras !! ?

Yeh, I think so

Kharv yes it is but becoming increasingly more popular here

Apart from maybe if you had time constraints after the ceremony, I can't understand why you'd do it? Am I missing something, Nic? It's possible!

I'd understand if you had a wedding in the winter, if you wanted to make the most of the light before it goes. But I still wouldn't do it even then.

? Nope you're not missing anything.

I have seen some that have been amazing! It's a moment when it's just the two of you, the first time you are seeing each other before you become Man and Wife. It's exactly the same as when you see each other for the first time on the aisle but on your own first. x

This!!

Not keen on this idea but to each their own......

Ahh right. H and I would have found that so cringey. We're not very lovey dovey though, the first dance was the worst three minutes of the day for both of us.

Ts been in this country for ages, literally decades although never caught on

Its been in the UK for literally decades although never caught on. I did a session with the President of the BIPP back in 1989 and he had been doing this for some couples for ages. The idea is to give enough time for the couple shots.....something that often gets squeezed timewise after the ceremony.

Peter

Ah, no. Definitely not for me, Lanny!

Hi,

We are getting married in the USA and will be having a few 'first look' photo's. This is definitely an american thing and not something we had even thought of until we met our TOG and she suggested it. I was quite shocked this question come up as before hand i had never heard of it.

To be honest, my initial thought was the same as the majority of you that responded 'why?' and I immediately dismissed it, however once we left the meeting my OH said that he would quite like too. We are both, OH in particular reasonably private people and I know that the OH will be incredibly nervous on the day and he has said that seeing me prior to walking down the aisle will give him some comfort, reassurance and help settle the nerves etc so on this basis I am happy to do it.

Our TOG has assured us that this will not be tacky (something that I am very keen to avoid) and that actually some really beautiful shots are taken without you really noticing. I just think it will be nice for us to capture the moment on our own and take it all in.

Ultimately we are all different and to be honest in answer to the original post I dont think there are any clear benefits generally, its about what you want to do as a couple and what you are most happy/comfortable with. I certainly wouldnt do it otherwise or in an attempt to get a particular 'shot' from the TOG as for me it will feel very forced.

I didn't realise that this was an actual 'thing'!

But....in some situations it could really work. For example, we're going to be pretty pushed for time- we'll have about a 30 min window between the end of the ceremony and getting to the reception (where we'll be pressed for time again before sitting for the meal), so a photo shoot before the wedding might not be a bad idea! I like the idea of him being in a blindfold, and the either side of the door thing is pretty cool.

Never thought I'd go for something like this but- having seen some examples- I think it's funky! He'll hate it though.

I'm not precious about anyone seeing me in my wedding dress before the ceremony anyway.

I can see the benefit of having a moment before the ceremony, for those couples who feel comfortable with it.

I imagine pictures of that are just a bonus.

I don't know if that's something we'd do or not - I suppose it would depend on the day. I'm extremely nervous about it all so I may mention it to OH.

I was keen on the idea - I think it's really lovely and a very special moment shared between the couple. For us it was going to be a good chance to get some pictures and have a cuddle before being put in front of everyone else.

OH didn't like the idea though so won't be doing it.

I didn't plan my wedding as a photoshoot, so no, not my thing. I can see why some couples might want a private moment together, but it's not private if someone's clicking away in the background and then publishing all the photos anyway.

IT'S THIS!!!...

http://wedding-blog-uk.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/grooms-first-looks.html

I absolutuely love them! ?

Hmmm..... some lovely pics (and I AM all lovey dovey and will be blubbing my eyes out all day I'm sure lol, and don't think the OH will be very much different), so I'm actually contemplating the idea now, then we can walk down the aisle together with the kids as a whole family ready to start the next chapter all together ?

I don't think we will be doing it because 1. we are not that lovely dubbly and I would kinda of be disappointed if he didn't cry or were surprised like those amazing pics shown on the pics you listed here. 2. I am going to be quite nervous and wouldn't like anything making me even more nervous like the pressure of seeing him, or showing myself before the walk on the aisle. 3. My family is quick a havoc to deal with and I am sure I will be rushing off my feet on the wedding morning, don't want to be late to start the ceremony and would have to be ready much much before that!

But if you want to go for it, the question is "why not?"

But the look on my H's face as I walked down the aisle was priceless.