See You at the Altar

See You at the Altar

April 21st, 2010 @ 12:14 pm by Mrs. Starfish
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Every blog about a wedding I read seems to have a first look now, and they always end up with amazingly cute photos. There are some big advantages to seeing each other pre-ceremony. I started considering the advantages and came up with a few.

See You at the Altar : wedding newport photography 00061 0006

More intimate moment - Seeing each other for the first time without a crowd of people
Relieve my nerves - Mr. Starfish calms me down, and I feel like pre-ceremony, I’ll be a mess. Seeing him pre-ceremony would probably make me feel more relaxed.
More time for photos
Elongate the wedding fun with each other - Sister and BIL starfish got ready in the same location, and it was a fun morning.

See You at the Altar : wedding newport photography 00071 0007

See You at the Altar : wedding newport photography 00081 0008

All photos from the Snap! photography blog

So, there really are some great reasons to do a “first look” pre-ceremony. The pictures above were good enough reason alone to do it. But in spite of these great advantages, we are opting to skip the “first look”.

Why? I’d really love to spend the morning taking photos complete with a photo shoot like Sister and BIL Starfish, but I’m really looking forward to walking down the aisle and seeing Mr. Starfish for the first time that day. He is, too.

It’s like in 27 Dresses, how Jane’s favorite part is watching the groom’s face as the bride walks down the aisle. Everyone’s eyes are on the bride, but she likes to watch the groom’s reaction to the bride. I honestly always look at the bride, but for our wedding I’d love to see Mr. Starfish’s face for the first time, as the excitement builds up and I take my last walk as a single girl.

Are you doing a first look? What was the deciding factor to do one or not?

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49 Responses to “See You at the Altar”

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Member

amariem25 (message) 3,740 posts, Sugar bee

We did one. We had to because we had to take pictures before our ceremony. Saturday masses at our church occurred after our ceremony and they wouldn’t let us take pictures at that time.

Anyways, the first look was the best thing we did. It was our favorite part of the day.

4/21/10 @ 12:17 pm (reply)

Member

Dancy905 (message) 1,730 posts, Bumble bee

Cute pics. I agree - Men’s Warehouse commercial does it too “when everyone’s eyes are on her, she’ll be looking at you.” Kinda makes me tear. My FI was against the 1st look. He said he’s always pictured that moment & doesn’t want to change it. He wins.

4/21/10 @ 12:19 pm (reply)

Member

Miss Sayrah (message) 112 posts, Blushing bee

We decided to to a first look a while back. Our ceremony and reception locations are one in the same so I think it would have been awkward to have guest watch us take pics while they wait. I am so excited to see how the first look pics come out though, they are always so intimate looking and sweet!

4/21/10 @ 12:20 pm (reply)

Member

denverbirdlet (message) 750 posts, Busy bee

my honey is traditional. He doesn’t want to see me that day until I’m walking toward him down the aisle!

4/21/10 @ 12:20 pm (reply)

Member

Miss Biner (message) 1,101 posts, Bumble bee

I think the first look is cool, but I get butterflies thinking about seeing him for the first time as I walk down the aisle.

4/21/10 @ 12:22 pm (reply)

Member

thebriz (message) 448 posts, Helper bee

We have to see each other before the ceremony anyway (Jewish wedding), but we are certainly going to have enough of our personal intimate moments and it’ll still be different than when I walk down the aisle.

4/21/10 @ 12:23 pm (reply)

Member

lydiacruze (message) 9 posts, Newbee

We’re doing a first look — not only because of all the reasons you already mentioned (all true!), but also because we like to schmooze, and therefore hate the idea of missing our cocktail hour. Especially after picking out all of the yummy hors d’s!

4/21/10 @ 12:23 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Ribbons (message) 2,018 posts, Buzzing bee

The romantic part of me wants to skip the first look, but the logistics of our schedule kind of require it

4/21/10 @ 12:24 pm (reply)

Member

alivoo01 (message) 2,625 posts, Sugar bee

We’re not doing a first look either and my sole reason is because I want to see his expression as the doors open up for my entrance and he’ll see me for the first time in the past 24 hours as I slowly walk towards him to be his wife! All the posts on the hive has made it tempting to do a first look, but decided against it. I just need to make sure the videographer AND photographer will capture BOTH of our first looks!

4/21/10 @ 12:25 pm (reply)

10.

Member

Miss PumpkinPenguin (message) 521 posts, Busy bee

can’t do it… i want too badly to see his face for the first time that day as i’m walking down the aisle to marry him!

4/21/10 @ 12:27 pm (reply)

11.

Member

Miss Navy Blue (message) 74 posts, Worker bee

I love the idea but I just. can’t. do. it. Both me and my fiance are stuck on the romance of having the first time he sees me is as I’m walking down the aisle. I can’t wait to see his expression when he sees me! : )

4/21/10 @ 12:42 pm (reply)

12.

Member

Uskadelig (message) 134 posts, Blushing bee

So interesting that you wrote this now! I’m writing a story for a bridal magazine about the advantages of the pre-ceremony sneak peak. I, for one, am a huge advocate. A couple of other reasons I came up with:

—Everyone and everything looks as fresh as possible before the ceremony
—If you have an evening ceremony, you might miss optimal lighting for those after-ceremony shots. (Keep in mind, there are probably a handful of family shots you will have to take after the ceremony anyway, so that’s going to take time, too.)
—I’m certain I will probably ugly cry my way through the entire ceremony. If I take pictures afterwards, I will look like a HOT mess. This way, I will look like LESS of a hot mess.
—If you think about the logistics of capturing the ‘reaction’ photo during the ceremony, there is no way for a photographer to catch both the bride and groom in the same frame. You can have two photographers, both shooting different directions, but they’ll never be a single photo. If you do the private reveal, you can actually get an image that captures the emotion of both people at the same time.
—Our photog said that people pre-ceremony tend to be really stiff and stressed in their pictures, even when they’re trying to hide it, because they’re so nervous, but the second the B and G see each other, you can sense the relief on their faces. I would much rather that calmness reflect in as many pictures as possible!
—Lastly, this is the biggest party, er.. celebration you’ll ever throw in your life. I want to make sure I get to spend as much time as possible with folks that flew to be there and soak up all the rewards of months of hard work.

Aside from tradition and getting to see the look on their guy’s face, does anyone have other reason why it’s better to wait? I’d love your input for the story!

4/21/10 @ 12:49 pm (reply)

13.

Member

froggy518 (message) 268 posts, Helper bee

We’re doing a different kind of spin on the first look that I think incorporates the benefits of a first look with those of waiting. About three hours before the ceremony, my fiance will be waiting for me at the altar. Our photographer will be in the sanctuary, but nobody else will be in the room. I’ll open the doors and walk down the aisle to him just as I will later during the ceremony, but it will be just us. After our photographer gets a few reaction pictures, he’ll leave us alone too, so it will just be the two of us in there for a whole to talk and take in the day.

4/21/10 @ 12:53 pm (reply)

14.

Bee

Miss Seashell (message) 1,713 posts, Bumble bee

I’m so torn! One of my best friends did a first look and she LOVED it. I’m tempted, but also crave that moment of the doors opening and walking down the aisle and having that “take your breath away” kind of moment during the ceremony.

4/21/10 @ 12:57 pm (reply)

15.

Member

flamingred (message) 1,929 posts, Buzzing bee

Maye i’m just a little jaded or something-but I can’t imagine FI getting all dramatic when I’m walking down the asile. I think the first look is cuter, you get to laugh and smooch seeing each other all dressed up for the first time. I think the “moment” is a little overrated and a lot of pressure on the groom. What if he doesn’t make the right face? LOL.

4/21/10 @ 1:02 pm (reply)

16.

Bee

Miss Taco (message) 950 posts, Busy bee

Definitely doing a first look! I’ve been criticized for not having that “Jessica Simpson” moment where Nick Lachey (tell me to shut up if this is stupid) quivers and tears up once she enters the room, but I like this idea better.

They got divorced anyway

4/21/10 @ 1:11 pm (reply)

17.

Member

BostonBride12345 (message) 34 posts, Newbee

I second everything Uskadeliq mentioned. I understand why alot of brides want to wait for the first look to be as they’re walking down the aisle, but for me doing the first look ahead of time actually enhanced the moment of walking down the aisle towards my future husband. I was relaxed, I had gotten all the pictures I wanted to already, I knew he thought I looked beautiful and so when I walked down the aisle I was calm and blissful and able to completely focus on my future husband whereas I think if I had not done the first look I would have been nervous and overwhelmed.

4/21/10 @ 1:14 pm (reply)

18.

Guest

Lizzie

This is an adorable blog, and I love the photography. It’s a cute idea to see each other, this couple in particular is adorable together. I like Uskadelig’s view on this…worth consideration.

4/21/10 @ 1:14 pm (reply)

19.