Why You Should Be Doing A First Look At Your Wedding!
Hi all!
Let’s talk "first looks" my friends! First off, what is a first look?!? I get asked this question all of the time. Some know and some don’t, but that’s ok! It is my job to educate my clients especially when it comes to making their big day easier. A first look is where the bride and groom have an intimate moment before the ceremony. First looks, when done right, can be my favorite part of a day. It is a great way to celebrate each other without having any distractions and be able to truly be in the moment. I recommend leaving the wedding party behind for this special moment so that you can really enjoy this moment with each other.
There are a few ways to do this; either by having the groom stand facing opposite and have the bride tap on his shoulder. Or by having the bride and groom stand back-to-back and then slowly face each other. Lastly, there is always the option of having the groom face opposite of the bride and then turn around with enough space in between them so that he can see her entirely. This is my personal favorite. I have always liked the idea of the groom being able to see his bride entirely instead of just her face. I would recommend taking the time to talk with your photographer so that you can choose the best execution for your first look. Pro tip; Plan out the location where you would like to do your first look ahead of time. This will be a very special moment in your life, make sure it is in a location at your venue that you absolutely love!
Why do a first look? Great question! Here are a few benefits; A first look can spread out the timeline so that you can enjoy your day more. Once the bride and groom see each other then the photographer (ME!) can get all of the wedding party and some family portraits out of the way before the ceremony. One of THE most stressful parts of a wedding day can be doing wedding party photos after the ceremony. Typically, the groomsmen and bridesmaids are wanting to grab a drink and get to mingling with the guests. Which makes it more like wrangling cats when it comes to getting them to take pictures. By doing wedding party photos before the ceremony there are far less distractions! There is also the option of getting a few family portraits out of the way as well. This way, after your ceremony, you will only need to do family portraits and enjoy your cocktail hour with your guests. Another benefit would be that you will have a ton more pictures! I typically do two couple sessions throughout your wedding day. By doing a first look you will now have three!! Guys I hope that was helpful, feel free to reach out with any questions you may have!
