Traditions: The Dress Before The Aisle
As we’ve established, I’ve always been one of those girls who thought fondly of her future wedding. In those fantasies, the groom’s jaw would drop as he saw me come down the aisle – face covered with a veil, dress as white as the freshly-driven snow. The tradition is there for a reason, no?
However, as this dream becomes a reality, the idea of a First Look becomes more and more enticing.
What is a First Look? It’s photography-speak for taking pictures of the bride and groom prior to the ceremony.
Why would I do this? Taking pictures ahead of time allows you to flow from ceremony to reception more seamlessly (and even participate in your own Cocktail Hour – a time at which the bride, groom, and related attendants are usually off taking pictures elsewhere). Plus, it gives you a special time – just the two of you – before the day gets going.
I’m in. I don’t believe in Bad Luck.
I’ve discussed this with Will, of course, as I don’t want to go with this idea if he’s always dreamed of doing it differently. He’s in as well. Anything to help the general flow (and reduce that awkward pause between events) is A-OK with him – especially since we are having the ceremony and reception in the same location.
I also just love the romance of being alone when we see each other for the first time. I’m pretty sure I’ll cry.
And then I’m pretty sure I’ll cry again as I walk down the aisle for the “Second Look”.
Did you do a First Look? Would you?
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Dresses featured in this post: Nicole Miller, Ann Taylor, Watters
I’m totally obsesed with that first dress! Do you know who makes it? I’d love to try it on!
I think doing a first look would save a lot of logistical troubles and it would also calm me down/relieve anxiety. At the same time, the tradition is there for a reason like you said! I think it’s individual preference but overall society has become too caught up in all these silly traditions. I assure you that doing a first look will not be bad luck like they say!
Nicole
It’s Nicole Miller, but I don’t think it’s this season…
I have no idea how all that works and if you can track down prior seasons. I’ve yet to go on the dress trying-on adventures.
I’m with you that people are super caught-up in traditions!
Matthew saw me in my dress for the first time as I walked down the aisle. (See here)
He’s big on traditions and I was happy to oblige.
But we were conscious of the flow between our ceremony and reception and didn’t want to make people dither around too much waiting for us, so we did individual sides’ photos beforehand — I was getting my hair done and then dressing in the church basement while Matthew and his guys and family did their photos, then took 45 minutes or so to get my family and my individual pictures. After the ceremony, then, we only had whole-family, whole wedding party and couple pictures to take.
Yeah, it can absolutely work both ways.
And that face is perfect!!
hehe, I love it
With weddings … do what works for you. I definitely do not think it’s bad luck to have your own private moment before the Big Moment. Fit it to your personality and taste
We’re definitely doing all of that; our ceremony and reception are in the same place, and we’re going to do photos ahead of time because if we’re stuck taking pictures while everyone else is enjoying the kickass cocktail list I’m putting together…we’ll just both look cranky instead of happy
Plus, it gives us some location options…if doing pictures before, we can be a little more leisurely, and do some outside, instead of trying to sprint through everything in the hour before making our entrance into the reception, sans cocktails.
(I’m going a little wedding crazy today…been writing out address labels for save the dates!)
Ha, that’s what I was thinking – I want to be with people the whole time!
Mike saw me for the first time coming down the aisle. I have a great memory of that moment because my dad and I both started crying right before I came in, and then Mike saw me and started crying too. We bucked a lot of traditions, but that one, I’m glad we didn’t
That’s what I hear from women who saved it for the aisle – the look on the guy’s face is always priceless.
I can’t imagine NOT being with Val before walking down the aisle (or in our case coming from opposite sides of the stage from behind a curtain). We rely on each other for strength, and especially w/ my stage fright (and then literally being on a stage!) I needed her to help calm me. No one else would do. We did pictures before everyone showed up as well. It went SO MUCH smoother. Though we did some ‘after’ shots on the balcony that were similar to the ‘before married’ ones, and wow do we look much more relaxed!
That’s so sweet! You two are adorable.
The last two weddings I shot, we did a “first look.” It’s brilliant with two photographers – you get both reactions, and it’s really charming. Find a nice spot at your venue and have Will face away from the door, and you get to walk to him. I’ll show you some examples, if you want. The best is the anticipation shots that you get of the groom… I think it’s charming.
And, for that matter, when everyone stands for you and the doors open and you come down the aisle, you’ll get the response you want from Will anyway. He won’t be able to help it.
Awesome, great to get a photographer’s perspective! I’ve seen some awesome First Look shots, so I’m excited. Everyone says it doesn’t take away from the aisle moment.
Nope, not gonna do it. (I hope you read that and heard it in George HW Bush’s voice as I intended). I want the shock and awe (and I think it’ll be mutual because I am marrying a handsome devil).
But whatever’s right for you is what’s right for you. Diff’rent strokes and whatnot.
So First Look for Beth = Broccoli for GHW Bush. Got it.
Did it. Loved it. Highly recommend it. I was dead set against it until a few days before…then rain was pretty much predicted as a sure thing for our big day…and our outdoor ceremony. My photographer suggested it since the rain was coming and going. We did the first look and most of our pictures ahead of time – it was so private and special! Totally changed my tune! You will love it : )
Aww, I love that! I was thinking it would be a really special moment.
Jason and I did a first look, and we wouldn’t have had it any other way.
As guests, we’ve never enjoyed trying to find something to do in a several hour gap between a ceremony and reception. Nor did we enjoy waiting two hours to eat while the bridal party took pictures during cocktail hour(s).
As the bride and groom, we have amazing memories and pictures of our first look. It was a rush,followed by calm relaxation. Most of all, once the ceremony is over, I was in no mood to pose for pictures. I was ready to relax and party. It’s like finishing an exam or performance. Photos are the build up, the reception is the wind down.
Your first look, ceremony, and reception will be evertything you dream of, and more.
I saw you out there taking pictures when I arrived! You have some great ones, and you got to spend the whole time (ceremony + reception) with your guests.
When we were planning our wedding, I thought the reception would follow shortly after the wedding, but Mike insisted that his family expected that break–that they would go back to the hotel and relax, and his aunts would change into their “party dresses” for the reception. As I remember, it ended up being only about an hour between the end of the wedding and the beginning of the cocktail hour, if that, so I think it worked out for everyone.
We didn’t do a first look simply because didn’t have time to. My nerves overtook about 5 minutes before walking down the aisle. I rushed to the church atrium where the priest said that the music already playing aka get a move on. I had my husband waiting up there while I dealt with nerves. I love his face in the pictures when I did walk down the aisle. During the ceremony, we stole little smiles which our photographer captured. We didn’t attend our cocktail hour because we had some alone time by the river’s edge near our hotel restaurant. For us, it worked great and we still had plenty of time to mingle with guests.
Aww, I’m glad you had such a good photographer!
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