So…what’s a first look? A first look is when the couple sees each other right before the wedding. You may be thinking that a first look will take away from the moment that you walk down the aisle. Or you may be thinking of the tradition that you shouldn’t see one another before the wedding. Here are 5 reasons that I want you to consider when thinking about the possibility of a first look on your wedding day.

1. It’s one of the few moments you’ll have to yourselves all day long. On your wedding day, you are the center of attention. It’s a very busy day that flies by at a whirlwind pace. Everyone wants to share in the excitement, which means that there will be few quiet moments to spend with your new husband. A first look allows a few moments of quiet time where you can just enjoy each other before the day gets started. I usually schedule a half hour of time for my couple to spend alone and I’ll be at a distance, capturing moments as they happen. We also do your bride and groom portraits at this time.
2. Things happen and timelines can get pushed back. Weddings are interesting. In essence, they are an elaborate, luxury party with many moving parts. The moving parts are your vendors, your guests and the two of you. Sometimes the moving parts can cause a hiccup in the timeline of the day. That hiccup trickles down and can eat into other portions of the day. Usually the first area to get eaten into is portrait time. I’ve seen it happen. You’ve allowed for an hour of photographing the bridal party, your family and you and your husband, but the limo came 45 minutes late and the ceremony ran late. Now you only have 15 minutes to photograph everything that you wanted because the reception begins and ends at a set time, plus your reception entrance is pre-scheduled. Now you’re stressed and that’s not a good thing. My brides should be enjoying their day, not stressing over details. A first look is a way to ensure that you get all of the images that you imagined, just in case your timeline is thrown off by some unforeseen circumstance. A first look is a great way to reduce stress.
3. A first look can take the edge off. I’ve had many of my brides express to me how nervous they were to walk down the aisle to their husband. A first look allows you to see one another before the wedding and get rid of those nerves. There is a feeling that a first look can take away from the big walk but it really doesn’t. My couples are still very emotional because walking down the aisle is still very symbolic and still has meaning. A first look just allows you to enjoy the moment without being nervous.
4. Take advantage of the lighting. Your ceremony could end at a time where there is limited light to capture the images that you want. This is especially true in the winter months. A first look can ensure that you are able to have the types of images that you love. In this situation, I will do a first look and photograph you two in natural light. Once the ceremony is over and you have had an opportunity to really enjoy your reception, I’ll grab the two of you for a more dramatic, evening portrait. This way, you will have a variety of images to choose from for your album.
5. You can actually attend your cocktail hour! Many brides are opting to do bridal party photos and family formals right after the first look. Usually these photos are done during cocktail hour, which you’ll miss out on an hour of mingling with your family and friends. With formal photos taken before the wedding, you’re free to enjoy the festivities that you’ve paid for!

Here are a few of my favorite first looks from this season.

 

For more information on first looks, contact me here. Till next time!