Weddingbee Blog

I feel like this was an a-ha! moment for me. I had been going back and forth over our first look decision, but when I finally took the plunge, it was glorious. It was easily the best decision we made about anything on our wedding day, besides marrying each other.

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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?

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