How to decide if a first look is right for you
I have to confess my love for first looks right from the start...not only as a photographer, but as a bride. I knew I would be a nervous wreck on my wedding day and the only person that I would want to see would be my almost husband. He is my rock and my safe place and I couldn’t imagine spending the majority of this special day away from him. I cherish those moments we had together before all the beautiful chaos that was to follow. It was a quiet, personal moment meant only for the two of us. Now, as a photographer I know all the additional benefits of a first look and I want to share those with all my couples before they decide whether or not it is something they would like to make a part of their own wedding day.
I should preface this by saying you are by no means required to do a first look on your wedding day. Above all else I want your wedding day to be everything you every dreamed of. That is my number one priority. After experiencing my own wedding and shooting hundreds of others, I do feel I have gathered some perspective on the subject that I think will help you decide what’s best for you. Those that are not interested in a first look usually think that by seeing each other beforehand, a special moment will be lost and that walk down the aisle will not be as emotional or intimate as it would have been. I have found almost the exact opposite to be true. What I have seen time and time again is that doing a first look calms the nerves and in turn allows you to be truly present for that walk down the aisle. It allows you to take in and enjoy every precious moment. After nearly every first look I hear some variation of “I am SO glad we did that. I feel so much better!” I have never once had a couple express regret at having done a first look, even when they originally thought it wasnt for them. Now that your are not on a time crunch, guess what! You get to spend more time together! You get to casually go through your portraits stressfree! Your portrait time will be spent enjoying each others company and talking about how much you cant wait to marry one another. This is YOUR time, your MOMENT. I used to hold back my love for first looks and not give my perspective, but time and time again I was thanked for breaking down the pros and cons. I have seen the benefits over and over, not just in the resulting photos, but in the overall enjoyment and happiness of my couples. As I said before, it’s totally ok if you don’t want to do a first look, I simply want to give you all the information before you make your decision. I have listed out all the benefits I have seen doing first looks for you here. Now you will have all the information to make the decision that feels best for you.
- You actually get alone time with your love. Most couples don’t realize that when you wait to see each other until the ceremony you get very little time alone together on your wedding day. With a first look you will get the opportuniy to tell each other all the things you wouldn’t want to say in front of all your family and friends. You can embrace, kiss, laugh and take it all in without an audience.
- First Looks allow you to extend your wedding day. Normally the wedding day would start when you come down the aisle, then the cermeony ends and you rush through photos (Family! Bridal Party! Portraits!) so you’re not late for the introductions and then it’s reception time. With a first look, your wedding day is extended by almost 3 hours! Instead of being rushed through everything, you actually get to enjoy them and have fun hanging out with your nearest andt dearest on your wedding day. You can even join cocktail hour once family photos are done because you‘ve already done all your other photos!
-You get to enjoy more of your party and spend more time with your guests! Without a first look you will need to spend your cocktail hour doing all your photos before the reception begins. This includes, family photos, bridal party photos and couples portraits. By doing a first look about 70-80% of those are already done! Usually only family photos need to be done after the ceremony and then you get to go mingle with your guests and enjoy cocktail hour!
-You’re investing a lot in your photography. With a first look, you’ll receive 40% more portraits of the two of you...and those are the images you’ll decorate your first home with! Make the most of your investment!
-The first look is a completely unique additional experience in itself. It will likely be your only opportunity to be alone together on your wedding day. The first time you see each other will be a private, intimate moment just for the two of you, instead of being in front of all your guests. You can hug, kiss, and tell each other everything you’re feeling.
-Your make up is fresh for your photos! By doing a first look and portraits before the ceremony, your hair and make up will be picture perfect.
- You get rid of nerves. I would estimate about half of my couples are hesitant to do a first look. Because they have never experienced a wedding day before, they don’t anticipate how nervous they might be. I hear over and over again how much more my couples enjoyed their day as a result of doing a first look. Simply because it eased their nerves and allowed them to be fully present.
-Added cushion! Another reason first looks ease stress on a wedding day is the added cushion they provide to the timeline. There is a lot to accomplish on a wedding day and by doing more of it before the ceremony there is less rushing around and more enjoying the moment.
