These days, you will be hard-pressed to find a photographer who doesn’t sing the praises of first looks but deciding to see each other before your ceremony can be a tough decision. A First Look is when the couple see each other before walking down the aisle. Often, the photographer is there to capture the moment! These are often some of my couple’s favorite images of their wedding day. But, while there are some pros to a First Look, there are some cons as well.
Pro: Enjoy a calm moment before the chaos.
If you’ve been to even one wedding in your life, you already know that wedding days are full to the brim with timelines and checklists. A day that has been months in the making has a lot of moving parts. It is easy for that rigid schedule to overshadow the romantic moments. Consider a First Look to be your dedicated moment of calm with your just-about-to-be spouse. It is a beautiful time to be together and revel in the excitement and love you have for each other. Once you walk down the aisle, time will feel as though it is moving in fast forward. An intimate first look your chance to breathe in the day and be together in the moment.
Con: There is nothing quite like a groom seeing his bride for the first time.
One of the biggest cons is the lack of tradition. There’s nothing like the groom seeing his bride for the first time when she walks down the aisle. It’s the most magical moment! Some grooms are very private with their emotions, which can disappoint a bride if she expects him to have a big reaction the first time he sees her. If you do not have a first look, the initial walk down the aisle can allow for some special moments at the altar.
Pro: You can get emotional.
For a lot of couples, the pressure of being the center of attention during the ceremony can be overwhelming. One of our favorite moments is seeing a groom’s face overcome with emotion upon seeing his bride for the first time. First looks provide privacy for those intimate moments and ensure the two of you can be exactly yourselves. You’ll be more relaxed because you won’t be crunched on time, plus have more time for couple portraits! By taking the time to have your first look, you will get give yourself some more time for portraits, since we won’t have to just shoot during your cocktail hour.
Con: You may have to adjust your timeline.
If you decide on a First Look, you will most likely have to get ready earlier, to accommodate the extra hour or so of pictures before the ceremony. A first look will mean you have to be ready even earlier than you’d planned, so depending on your ceremony time, it can mean an earlier wakeup call.
Pro: Be together on your wedding day.
We encourage our couples to spend as much time together as possible on their wedding day! Of course, you will be celebrating with all of your friends and family, but ultimately, this day is about you two. You would be surprised how much time you actually spend apart of this day! From getting ready, to separate portraits, to being pulled every direction by fawning family members and guests, private moments on your wedding day can be few and far between. Make a point to build in time to enjoy your day together and soak up every love-filled moment.
Pro: Take advantage of beautiful lighting for your First Look.
What do all of the beautiful wedding day photos you’ve been obsessing over have in common? Beautiful lighting! If you want swoon-worthy wedding portraits, the light has got to be right! Many times, ceremonies begin later in the evening and you can miss out on the golden hour light for portraits! This is especially true in the fall and winter, when the sun goes down much earlier. A first look guarantees beautiful light to ensure your first photos together are as beautiful as you have always envisioned!
