"First look" photos vs. post-ceremony photos???

[MarieSam]

So I've been contemplating the whole "first look" pictures with FI before the ceremony...initially I wanted the "let him see me for the first time at the ceremony" and on top of that the whole bad luck tradition to see the bride before the wedding. But I've been reading a lot about how special it is share a moment alone with FI before the wedding and how wonderful those pictures turn out.....of course another perk would be that it cuts down time spent taking photos after the ceremony and would allow us to spend more time at the cocktail party.

 

I started leaning more toward the "first look" session after I read this blog from a local photographer that I absolutely LOVE ~ Jasmine Star. Yes, I have a photographer crush ~ I think FI and I are eventually going to plan some type of life session shoot with her after the wedding Read her 12/15/08 blog on this topic, she makes so many good points!! Here's her link, careful you can easily get stuck reading blog after blog ~ Jasmine Star Photography Blog

 

So have any past BDW brides done the first look thing, regretted it and wished you saw each other for the first time at the cermony? Is this a good idea?

[KatyKo]

I really want to do a "first look." I have seen so many of these shots and they always make me emotional I think it is just such an intimate moment and for me, I would rather share that close to my FI than at the end of the aisle, although I completely understand wanting to wait as well.

 

For our situation, we are getting legally married in the states before we head to the DR, so the bad luck thing wouldn't reeeeaaallly work since we would technically already be married

 

I also think it is such a great idea to do the rest of the party's pictures before the ceremony as well. I was very bummed to think that I was going to miss cocktail hour, since we aren't really having a reception at the resort after our DW...now I think doing this would allow me to enjoy that time with my (then) husband and all our guests.

 

Thanks for sharing this blog!

[~*Kathy*~]

Hi MarieSam!

 

Interesting topic, personally, I want to wait until the ceremony before FI sees me for the first time...not because I'm superstitious but there's just something about the first look during the ceremony that gets me I guess haha.

 

Anyhoo, I think that if you want to do some first look pics then you should. I've seen pictures of people doing that and they are quite lovely.

[BachataBride]

Wow...it does sound great!! I had never thought about it!! Great...something else to plan!! Hahaha

Thanks for posting though! I'm going to talk it over with FI!

[TammyB]

My hubby and I did a "first look" and it was perfect. We really wanted to take a moment to really see each other prior to getting married, plus as an added bonus we walked to the alter together, which was great for me because I didn't want to walk alone.

[MarieSam]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KatyKo I think it is just such an intimate moment and for me, I would rather share that close to my FI than at the end of the aisle

Katy ~ what you said right here is perfect, it's exactly what I've come to feel too. A first look session sounds perfect for you two, and that's great you will get to spend more time at the cocktail party!! Fun times

Quote:

Originally Posted by paraisobeachbride2009 ...not because I'm superstitious but there's just something about the first look during the ceremony that gets me I guess haha.

Yes!!! That's totally what gets me too See this is where my angst lies ~ I absolutely LOVE those pics when the groom first sees the bride walk down the aisle too! But in the same breath, I guess in a sense it's kinda the same concept when he'd see me for the first time alone DAMN it, I'm confused.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TammyB My hubby and I did a "first look" and it was perfect. We really wanted to take a moment to really see each other prior to getting married, plus as an added bonus we walked to the alter together, which was great for me because I didn't want to walk alone.

Tammy, your pics are wonderful. I just watched your slideshow ~ all your pics together are beautiful, and your dress ~ simply gorgeous!!

[rodent]

We did the first look pictures. I was really happy we did. I enjoyed getting to have that moment private (with our photographers) and get to be close during the first siting. I also love the pictures we took before the ceremony.

 

it was nice knowing we already had some great couple shots when my makeup was fresh & we were not sweaty. I think it helped me relax during the ceremony to get some of the emotion out before.

[rodent]

here are our pre ceremony pics.

 

 

 

[syl1115]

I really wanted to do it too, but my daughters had a problem with it and I agreed to wait. I really wish we would have done it because I think the photos would have been more personal and relaxed. We had everyone from the wedding watching when our photos were taken and I felt uncomfortable.

[Jen_S]

Our photographer asked us to think about doing this, however I think we decided to wait until the ceremony. I am so excited to see his expression. We decided to do champagne on the beach after the ceremony so that we should not miss too much of the party. Then later we will have our cocktail hour.