A first look is some time set aside before the wedding for the bride and groom to see each other for the first time in their full wedding attire. It normally takes no longer than 10 minutes. Ultimately, deciding whether you want to do a first a first look at your wedding is a personal decision. And the percentage of couples who decide to do one vs. not is just about even. With all of that being said, a first look can be a WEDDING LIFE-SAVER and here’s why!
1. Calm your nerves
Weddings can be stressful and who’s better at putting you at ease than the person you’ve chosen to be there for you for the rest of your life!
2. A private moment with your partner
Ironically, this can be one of the few intimate private moments you’ll have with your partner all day. Enjoy having a moment with one another to talk about all the crazy things that have happened that morning, what you’re looking forward to, and just unapologetically gawk at that beautiful human being you’re about to marry!
3. Time to fix makeup/ get tears out before the wedding
All of your emotions have been welling up all day. You’re probably going to cry. At least, if you do it before your ceremony you’ll have time to fix your makeup before going in front of all of your guests.
4. The first time you see each other is going to be special no matter what!
Regardless of what time you see each other, that moment is going to be epic! When you see each other at the end of the aisle it’s still going to be an entirely different experience in itself.
5. The groom’s reaction is often more emotional & less restricted when others aren’t watching.
When the groom is alone with the person he feels most comfortable with in the world, he’s much more likely to let those walls down and get emotional rather than trying to hold it together and not cry in front of all of his friends and family.
6. Take care of most of your formal portraits before the wedding starts!
By doing a first look you can knock out SO many pictures that you would otherwise be doing between your ceremony and reception. You can get ALL of your bridal party photos done, some of just the two of you, and maybe even some photos with your immediate family if they’re around.
7. This is the best you are going to look all day!
Your hair and makeup is freshly done and you’ve just gotten into your formal attire. You’re only going to get sweatier as the day goes on and the longer you’re in those clothes the more of a risk you have of getting something on them. Why not get some photos while you are fresh, clean, and not stressed about getting to your reception.
8. Join the cocktail hour/reception early!
A lot of times if couples don’t do a first look they’ll have to completely miss the cocktail hour. You’ve spent a lot of time and money planning your wedding! You should have time to enjoy it! By doing a first look you can get in to our reception quicker and maybe even get to cocktail hour!
9. The emotions are so organic!
The emotions during a first look are so completely raw and genuine. As photographer those are exactly the kinds of shots I want to get and as a couple those are the shots you’re going to treasure for the rest of your life.
Essentially what it boils down to is, if you do a first look you will feel better and less stressed throughout the day, you will look nice and fresh in your formal photos, and you will have more time to get jiggy at your reception.
Fun Fact
The tradition of the bride and groom not seeing each other began when arranged marriages were the norm. In fact, the bride and groom did not meet and the veil was kept over the brides face until the end of the ceremony for fear that the groom might find the bride unattractive and call off the wedding. Romantic right?
