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Weddingbee Blog
Sorry for the brief hiatus, but I had spring break so Mr. Lace and I took a mini-vacay to Phoenix and Las Vegas with his sister. We are back and wedding planning was supposed to be in full swing as soon as we returned.
Well, we returned and I turned on my computer and Mr. Lace fell asleep in the middle of going over the day of schedule. I would get mad except that he spent the past 8 days driving around all over the place so I will give him his nap while I blog!
Anyway, as I was going over the schedule, there so many decisions to be made. Between “hair and makeup with Kelly” and “say goodbye to guests,” there are a few things that need to be happening.
Decision #1: The First Look
When I first explained the idea of the first look to Mr. Lace, there was complete silence.
Me: So, I have our first look at 1:30 PM
Mr. Lace: Okay.
Me: Do you know what that means?
Mr. Lace: No. Do I need to do something?
Me: Well, we will meet up before we take photos with the bridal party so we can see each other for the first time on our wedding day.
Mr. Lace: So, I’ll go pick you up?
Me: No, we’ll meet at the hotel and have Hanssie take photos of us seeing each other for the first time.
Mr. Lace: Oh. (silence) So wait, Hanssie is going to take photos of us looking at each other? Isn’t that weird? Do we need to do that?
Me: Well, would you rather see each other for the first time with Hanssie or in front of Hanssie and all the bridesmaids and groomsmen?
Mr. Lace: (calculating the pairs of eyes that will be on him)… Uh, okay, we should probably do that with just Hanssie.
It wasn’t much of a question for me because I would love to have a private moment together (well, as private as it’ll get that day since we did pay our photographer to follow us the whole day) before we see other people. And how could I resist after looking at this:
Are you taking a first look or not? How did you decide?
We are definitely doing a first look! Even though I probably will tear up walking down the aisle and during the ceremony (I’m a sap), I wanted to get that alone time with my FI before the day flew by and we were constantly around people and the madhouse the day usually ends up being. Plus, if I really tear up, then I can touch up my makeup 
We are doing it just because of time constraints. We have no gap between the ceremony and cocktail hour, so we have to! 
Since my photographer didn’t get any pictures of my husband watching me walk down the aisle, I wish I at least had “first look” pictures. So, if I could go back I would have done them!
we’re looking! i like it for a lot of reasons. #1, i think it’s nice to have that moment sorta quasi-private instead of in the middle of the ceremony in front of 100’s of guests. #2, it makes the wedding day longer! it’s another element. i keep thinking of the timeline and saying, the getting ready part, the first look, the ceremony, cocktail hour (which leads to #3) and the reception. #3, we get to go to alll parts of the wedding b/c pics will be taken pre-ceremony. all the cocktail hour food sounds so yummy that i don’t want to miss it! :0) plus, it’s a great way to get some shmoozing done so that you don’t spend your whole reception greeting everyone. wow, that was like a novel…sorry!
Like Lillindy, our photographer didn’t get pictures of my husband’s face as I walked down the aisle, but unlike Lillindy, that’s why I’m glad we DID do a first look
I cannot recommend it enough. I honestly think a first look is more emotional and intimate than the aisle walk. The aisle walk is very distracting. Lots of people are standing up and watching your every step. I remember mostly looking at everyone else, and not my husband!
Sigh. Our first look was utterly destroyed because my husband was too distracted meddling with camera gear when i walked in. So he was squatting on the ground, poking thru his camera bag, while our photog tried to get his attention. SULKS!
Those pictures almost made me cry! We aren’t doing one though. I’m traditional, plus we have a gap after the Catholic ceremony and the reception so we have plenty of time for pics. We would have nothing to do then otherwise.
Those pictures were FABULOUS!!!! You can just feel the excitement!!!
My fiance’ was dead set on not seeing me until my dad is walking me down the aisle. And I kinda agreed with him.
@Curlysue: I doubt I’d cry at the first look, but definitely during the ceremony at some point!
@Miss Ribbons: @marlie: @tweds: @Miss Chapstick: Yeah, I was thinking, it’d be nice to get some of that food that we’re shelling out all the big bucks for!
@Lillindy: Good point! Our aisle is less than traditional too so that’s a good idea.
@mrspaetz: Oh no!! 
I’m sorry. I’ll drop kick Mr. Lace if he does that!
@Miss Trail Mix: @KWebs: @Zooray: Aren’t they? I’m in love with those! Yes, I wavered back and forth trying to decide if I wanted to do it because there’s something magical about seeing each other the first time at the ceremony. I’ve been a BM in weddings where they did that and it was so sweet!
As a photographer, I definitely recommend a first look. The bride and groom often tell me afterwards that it was the best time of the day and made for the best photos as well! It gives you a chance to truly cherish one another and get ready for the best day ever! I also think it helps with nerves, if you are the nervous type. I tend to shoot these with a longer lens, so I’m not too “in your face” and allow the moment to be pretty private. Finally, it allows more photos to be taken before the ceremony, which means fewer photos after, which means less waiting for the guests and wedding party and more fun for everyone!
I think it probably helps to not use “wedding jargon” with a groom. Might lead to more confusion than necessary!
We’re doing a first look–our ceremony is in the evening and we want to get pictures with each other while it is still light outside. The pictures might end up being indoors, but at least we’ll be able to use natural lighting!
@Courtney Goldman: Ooh good advice! I feel like I’d be less nervous if I got to see Mr. Lace first because I’m stronger when I’m with him than without. Thanks for some pro advice on this!
I loved having a first look. I think it was the favorite part of the wedding day for each of us. Here’s a pic from our first look. My husband looked so happy to see me. http://bios.weddingbee.com/pics/25355/firstlook-014.jpg
We are doing a first look. It is one of the things that I am most excited about. I really like this because we will get all of the pictures over with before the ceremony and can move right on to the party after the “i do’s”! =)
im a traditionalist (and im superstitious i cant deal with the possible bad luck either!) and we have a huge gap between the ceremony and cocktail hour/reception so we have more than enough time -the first look in the chapel is a picture that is in the list of “must haves” for my photographer. one of me walking down the aisle and one of him standing there at the altar. so beautiful!
these pics are gorgeous!!
We’re definitely doing a first look, and you bet your ass he’ll be ready for it! Let’s just say the groomsmen are getting expected calls indicating where we’re coming from and where he needs to be 
We are totally doing a ‘first look’ although it took some convincing for Mr. Dolphin. He was so against it in the beginning but I sent him enough pictures of other brides and grooms having a first look, to change his mind. Plus, it is going to give us lots of time for photos before the ceremony (since I’m allowing an hour) and less time for our guests to wait around for us to arrive during the cocktail hour.
I say ‘first looks’ are a win/win for everyone!
Our wedding ceremony to end of reception has to fit in a five hour window and I soooo wanted to do first look pics before the ceremony… I got shot down by Fi and his mom in half a second.
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Mrs. Lace, Pasadena, CA Age and Occupation: 29, Elementary school teacher Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Engineer Engagement Date: September 6, 2009 Wedding Date: June 2010 Venue: Orange County Performing Arts Center About Me: Born and raised in Southern California, my fiance and I are marrying in Orange County. We're planning a vintage wedding with a modern twist. I am an elementary school teacher by day and a wedding planner by night. I love reading, blogging, scrapbooking, trying out new DIY projects, buying awesome finds at incredible deals and spending time with friends and family. Trying new restaurants, traveling and shopping also top my hobby list. I'm anxious to share my wedding ideas and planning with the hive!
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