Let’s talk about the ‘first look’ for a minute here. It’s become a popular thing in recent years and I want to educate all you brides and grooms and other fun folk on the why.
For those of you who are unfamil, the ‘first look’ is when the bride and groom get to see one another for the first time, before the ceremony. The photographers/videographers find a nice (hopefully quiet) space to give the happy couple alone time before the wedding festivities officially begin. I shoot from far off to give some privacy but am definitely there to photograph the entire greeting. There’s often tears, laughter, and always huge smiles and heavy hugs. It’s a beautiful set of moments to capture.
But here’s WHY it’s important and beneficial to incorporate this first look greeting/photo shoot into your wedding day:
1. Your wedding is about YOU two. Don’t you want to spend as much time as possible with your partner on the greatest day of your lives? The earlier you two get together (before the ceremony) the more you can enjoy it together.
2. As much as your wedding should be about YOU two, there are lots of other people attending your event. Often hundreds of guests arrive that need to be greeted and fed and entertained. It’s really nice to have a few intimate minutes alone together before co-hosting such a party.
3. Often weddings can be stressful. It’s incredibly soothing to take your partner’s hand and walk through it together. Seeing your spouse to be before all the guests arrive and the ceremony begins can alleviate a lot of anxiety.
4. When the bride and groom are able to see one another before the ceremony, it allows we photographer folk much more time and light to take care of portraits! We are able to make better use of the daylight and set up better angles than might be available in the church or ceremony spot. Then we don’t have to jam everything into the small hour between the ceremony and reception and you are able to enjoy a little bit of your cocktail hour if you wish or freshen up before the grand entrance.
5. As special as you think it’ll be to see one another for the first time as you walk down that aisle, it is still amazingly special. Grooms, your bride will still take your breath away and brides, your heart will still flutter. I promise.
So before you bank on being ‘traditional’ by not seeing your partner before the ceremony begins on your wedding day, please consider these points. Doing a first look allows more time together, more time for portraits and more time for fun!
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