Wedding Wednesday: To look or not to look...

Welcome to Wedding Wednesday! Today's post is about first look photos. 

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In modern American culture, it has been traditional that the groom is not allowed to see the bride until the ceremony. The concept of doing a first look photo session with your almost husband/wife is a fairly new idea. This past year, I had the honor and privilege to be a part of two very special weddings. They were also quite different in the department of first looks. 

At the first wedding I was involved in, the groom did not see the bride until her father walked her down the aisle. And in the second wedding, the bride and groom shared an intimate moment with a first look photo session. 

I'm sure if you Google this topic, you can find a plethora of articles about why or why not couples should do a first look photo sesh. So you're probably wondering why I'm even writing this post! 

Truth is, I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I THINK I'D WANT TO DO!

Now, I know what you're thinking. "Molls, calm down. You're not even engaged." Yeah, I know, but I think about my future wedding a lot. A lot. And I like to know what I think about colors, dresses, ring shapes, etc. First looks happens to be one of those things that I just can't make up my mind about. 

On one hand,  the idea of maintaining tradition appeals to me because of the thought of Ben seeing me for the first time in my wedding dress (and wedding hair and wedding makeup and wedding shoes and wedding giddiness) as I'm walking to him makes me get all giggly and excited. Cause he won't be expecting it. I won't be able to anticipate his reaction. And it'll make for great memories. And pictures. 

But on the other hand (am I starting to sound like Reb Tevye yet?), I've heard that the experience of seeing your almost spouse in a quiet moment before you go into the ceremony is intimate and special. I also like the idea of doing a first look because I'd LOVE to have a picture of each of our faces when we see each other for the first time on our wedding day. I'd also like to have a quiet moment with Ben when we can just be together without taking photographs. If I know myself at all, I'm certain I will be an emotional train wreck on our wedding day. I'll be nervous and anxious and I think having a moment alone with Ben before everything will help slow us down so we don't miss each other in the hubub of the day. 

So, no big conclusions reached today on my part but what do you think? Traditional no-show before the wedding or an intimate first look session? Tell me in the comments!