SHOULD YOU DO A FIRST LOOK AT YOUR WEDDING?
SO, WHAT EXACTLY IS A FIRST LOOK?
A First Look is when the couple choose to see each other for the first time before the wedding. This is usually done about an hour and a half to two hours (or less in some cases) before the ceremony. It’s typically a private reveal, between just the two of them and usually a photographer.
WHY DO COUPLES CHOOSE TO DO A FIRST LOOK?
The couple choose to do a first look for several reasons! But the main one, quite simply, is time. When you do a first look, it allows you to take all of the pictures of your wedding party (and sometimes your family) before the ceremony even occurs. Get the most of your planned photos out of the way before the ceremony. Otherwise you will have to do all the photos after the ceremony.
IT CALMS YOUR NERVES!
If you think you are going to be very emotional when you see your spouse to be for the first time, then a first look may be for you. It’s a good time to let yourself to be emotional and cry it out, or laugh it out, or giggle yourself silly! Remember, it’s just the two of you, so enjoy it. In addition to being able to relax and focus on each other, it also allows the couple to see one another without 150 sets of eyes staring at them as they walk down the aisle.
A FIRST LOOK WILL NOT RUING YOUR FIRST LOOK WEDDING CEREMONY MOMENT
If you’re traditional, it’s okay to skip it. From my experience as a wedding photographer, you don’t have to worry about ruining that “first look moment” at the ceremony. If you do have a first look, you get to have two special moments instead of one. One is private, personal, true emotion moment and another one is more serious, all eyes on you kind of moment.
I love a first look for all of these reasons, but this is a choice that you and you spouse to be will need to make on your own. Every couple has their reasons for choosing to do (or not to do) a first look and I’ll respect that and be supportive of whatever decision you make.
It’s your wedding day – you should have it all!
