Newer blog post
more in Blog
Older blog post
Newer blog post by Mrs. Powder Puff
more by Mrs. Powder Puff (oldest)
Older blog post by Mrs. Powder Puff
Mrs. Powder Puff's Picture
Mrs. Powder Puff, Chicago Age and Occupation: 25, Preschool Teacher Fiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Career Services Engagement Date: May, 2008 Wedding Date: July, 2009 Blogging Since: November 12, 2008 Venue: Outdoor ceremony, banquet hall reception About Me: I am your typical Midwestern girl attempting to plan a sane, budget-friendly, fun wedding to the man of my dreams. I love shoes, laughing at “Platinum Weddings”, crafts, inspiration boards, candy, and basically anything I can DIY. While weddings can certainly be all-consuming, I honestly can’t wait until the ceremony is over and I can finally call Mr. Powder Puff my husband!
About Mrs. Powder Puff

OK ladies, our wedding photos are scheduled to be ready tomorrow (WOOOHOOO!), which means that we can pick up where we left off with the Powder Puff recaps next week. Holla!

In the mean time, I thought I’d throw my two cents in about an issue that I’ve seen being debated around the hive: the first look.

When Mr. Puffy and I were freshly engaged, the very first thing we did was to promptly hire an amazing photographer. At our first meeting, she asked whether or not we’d be interested in doing a first look. Little old me, who had yet to discover the wonders of Weddingbee, had no clue what that was. After she explained it to me, I was immediately against it. ‘No way!’ I thought. ‘I’m sticking with tradition. Nothing can be as special as that moment when Mr. Powder Puff sees me walking down the aisle! We’ll just do photos between the ceremony and reception.’

As our wedding date loomed closer, I began to worry about this plan. Since our ceremony and reception were being held at the same location, we had only scheduled an hour to complete all the photos. Eek! An hour would be no where near enough time! Exit, calm. Enter, panic.

With about one week till the ceremony, I finally relented. I spoke with Mr. Powder Puff, and we agreed that having a first look would be the most practical way to go. And let me tell you, I am SO GLAD we made that decision. Here’s why:

  1. More time for photos.
    This one is pretty obvious. Instead of having one hour, we had a whole two 1/2 hours to take pictures, which means we could do cooler stuff, and felt more relaxed doing it. We got all the photos in that I wanted to take, and had time left over.
  2. The first look is just as special, if not more special than the walk down the aisle.
    Our photographer set up a beautiful first look for us, which you’ll see in a later post, but it was really awesome to have a few moments with Mr. Powder Puff to myself. We could kiss and cry and chat, and not have 150 people staring us down. And then we could take some sweeeet pictures. It really relaxed me, and I got to spend time with my favorite person, instead of hidden away in my super secret hiding spot.
  3. The walk down the aisle will still be really special.
    Even though we had a first look, there’s something about walking down the aisle to meet your beloved that is so amazing. I had tears in my eyes.
  4. Family photos take a looooong time.
    We decided that since we were doing a first look, that we would take family photos after the ceremony. Nice and quick like. Wham, bam, thank you ma’am. In reality… not so much. Arranging everyone takes time, children don’t always look at the camera, you’ll want many shots with many different people in them. It takes quite a while. We never EVER would have gotten the family photos all in if we hadn’t done a first look.
  5. It gives you time to attend your cocktail hour.
    Yes, even though family photos took up a good chunk of time, we still had a good 1/2 hour or so to attend our own cocktail hour. We could chat and mingle with our guests, not to mention get some food and a little drinky in. How did I feel about that?

Why I Fully Recommend Having a First Look :  wedding photography 6094 6604  Woooooo!

So, mis amigas, trust me on this one, you will not regret having a first look. Honestly, it was the best decision I ever made.

Will you be doing a first look?

*Guest photo

Tags: photography |
advertisement below
Newer blog post
more in Blog
Older blog post
Newer blog post by Mrs. Powder Puff
more by Mrs. Powder Puff (oldest)
Older blog post by Mrs. Powder Puff

64 Responses to “Why I Fully Recommend Having a First Look”

1 2 3 4 

1.
Bee Icon
Bee
Mrs. Quiche (message)  3,140 posts, Sugar bee

Yes :)

 
2.
melodicsighs1
Member
melodicsighs1 (message)  1,290 posts, Bumble bee

Thanks for this list, PP! I definitely plan to do a first look - picture time is mucho important to me - but, I do waver sometimes and worry about making the walk down the aisle less special. I’m glad to hear yours was still so meaningful. :)

 
3.
futurejet
Member
futurejet (message)  108 posts, Blushing bee

Yup! Mainly for the logistical and emotional reasons you wrote about. I really want some time with just the two of us (and our amazing photographer!)

 
4.
Miss Bear Cub
Bee
Miss Bear Cub (message)  1,566 posts, Bumble bee

abso-frickin-lutely.

 
5.
WDWBride
Member
WDWBride (message)  743 posts, Busy bee

I would love to do this but Df has vetoed. He is stuck on tradition and refuses to see me before I walk down the aisle. He almost went as far as to say he couldn’t see me the day before either!!

 
6.
St. Patrick
Member
St. Patrick (message)  64 posts, Worker bee

We have so much time in between our ceremony and our reception that we don’t need to. Although, I do really like the idea and I’m not opposed to it.

 
7.
Member Icon
Member
Curlysue (message)  1,703 posts, Bumble bee

Yes we will :) At first I was against it too, but then I realized how special it will be with just the two of us. They say alone time is basically not at all once the events start so might as well get that time in together until the reception is over!

Mrs. Powder Puff—how did that Quaker Marriage License go over? I came across an old post where you made it on Zazzle but I haven’t had time to see if you covered that part yet. Just curious! :)

 
8.
Member Icon
Member
DesignerBee (message)  103 posts, Blushing bee

I asked FI how he felt about this and he is all for it. He seems to think it will make him more relaxed during the ceremony having gotten a lot of big emotional stuff done without lots of prying eyes. I am really happy he is up for this idea!

 
9.
MrsSl82be
Member
MrsSl82be (message)  8,508 posts, Bumble Beekeeper

NO question, I can’t wait! We’re doing our family pics before the ceremony since everythings in one place, and that way we’ll have plenty of time…basically, for all the same reasons you did it

 
10.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Beagle (message)  1,381 posts, Bumble bee

You are too cute Mrs. Powderpuff! We haven’t decided yet, but I would really like too!

 
11.
Member Icon
Member
msashleymarie (message)  616 posts, Busy bee

I’m excited to have a first look! I may try to do some of the family pictures beforehand too!

 
12.
Melissabegins
Member
Melissabegins (message)  3,340 posts, Sugar bee

Twist my arm a little - I think that it’s just a necessary thing. You spend all that time and money on the details, the photographer, the food… with a first look, you can get the shots you want, capture the details (because he/she’s already gotten you! they can do the rest while you..) actually EAT and DRINK at the party!

Plus, the self induced stress of shielding yourself from the world after your hair and makeup is just ridiculous, haha. What a complete waste of energy, in my opinion.

 
13.
leenmachine
Member
leenmachine (message)  262 posts, Helper bee

Hmm, you’ve sold me on the first look…now I wonder if I can persuade my fiance!!

 
14.
alvina
Member
alvina (message)  807 posts, Busy bee

Exactly our situation! We want the first look to be down the aisle but it’s looking like we’ll have to do a first look in order to have time for pics :o\

Thanks for the post!

 
15.
BlushingBride530
Member
BlushingBride530 (message)  277 posts, Helper bee

I don’t think there is a wrong or right way to first see each other - it is very much each couple’s personal preference. I, for one, saw my groom for the first time when I walked down the aisle, and I wouldn’t replace that moment with anything in the world - not even with extra photos or cocktail time, as enticing as they sound! I don’t regret my choice one bit. But I do think it’s great that couples can choose how they want that special first look to be.

 
16.
BlushingBride530
Member
BlushingBride530 (message)  277 posts, Helper bee

P.S. I’d love to see a Bee post about the other viewpoint!

 
17.
Member Icon
Member
lindz1984 (message)  4 posts, Wannabee

How long did it take for your pictures post ceremony?
Did you wear your wedding band in the pictures prior to the ceremony?

Thanks :)

 
18.
Guest Icon
Guest
notsojenny

we’re absolutely doing one! the first time i heard about it i paused for a moment and thought “YES, we MUST do that!”
i’m actually really excited about getting that time with JUST him before the chaos ensues… we’re much more ourselves alone than around even our wedding party more or less everyone attending the wedding
can’t wait to see how your photos came out!

 
19.
LatteLove
Hostess
LatteLove (message)  5,590 posts, Bee Keeper

agreed. Also, I can’t believe how fast you’re getting your photos!
Ours are still 4-6 weeks away! (and our wedding was 3 weeks after yours) *must. be. patient*

Can’t wait to see more. every pic you’ve shown looks like you’re having a total blast.

 
20.
LatteLove
Hostess
LatteLove (message)  5,590 posts, Bee Keeper

oops. *3 weeks before*. duh.

 
1 2 3 4 

Leave a Reply


You can also just...

Newer blog post
more in Blog
Older blog post
Newer blog post by Mrs. Powder Puff
more by Mrs. Powder Puff (oldest)
Older blog post by Mrs. Powder Puff

Visit our sister sites eHarmony
Online Dating
eHarmony Advice
Dating Advice
Project Wedding
Wedding Songs
JustMommies
Pregnancy Calendar
Copyright 2004-2012, Weddingbee.com
 

Find your vendors on Weddingbee

Real reviews from brides in your area!

Favors by Weddingbee

  • Favors by season

Shop Now »

Mrs. Powder Puff
Mrs. Powder Puff

Mrs. Powder Puff, Chicago Age and Occupation: 25, Preschool Teacher Fiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Career Services Engagement Date: May, 2008 Wedding Date: July, 2009 Blogging Since: November 12, 2008 Venue: Outdoor ceremony, banquet hall reception About Me: I am your typical Midwestern girl attempting to plan a sane, budget-friendly, fun wedding to the man of my dreams. I love shoes, laughing at “Platinum Weddings”, crafts, inspiration boards, candy, and basically anything I can DIY. While weddings can certainly be all-consuming, I honestly can’t wait until the ceremony is over and I can finally call Mr. Powder Puff my husband!

Boards
Classifieds

Blog Calendar
May 2012
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
293012345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031

Weddingbee Bios
by rescuedogmom
by allison.wengerd
by Trish0708
by SarahHawkins
Wiki
More