Welcome back to the wedding planning series! Today’s topic: The First Look 
Wedding traditions include a lot of little things, the meanings behind them can seem silly to us now but 100 years ago, these traditions were essential in having the most amount of luck and good fortune in a marriage. From wearing something blue, to having something borrowed, to the garter, and to the veil, everything that is seen at a wedding holds usually holds some sort of tradition.
One of these traditions that has been eliminated in the past five years, is the bride and groom waiting to see each other until they walk down the aisle. I am not saying that this tradition still doesn’t happen, I shoot plenty of weddings where the couple decides not to have a first look. Seeing it happen both ways, I can honestly say, I absolutely recommend a first look. As part of the wedding planning blog series I am working on, I decided that today was a great day to talk about first looks and to dissect them for you. I will walk you through some the benefits and hopefully answer any questions you have about a first look! This way you can decide if a first look is a good idea for you or not!
Well, first off, what IS a first look?
If you are planning a wedding, you most likely have heard these two words on wedding blogs, in magazines, or from friends. You may know exactly what it is or question what the heck this term is! A first look is exactly what is sounds like. A couple will see each other privately before the ceremony instead of seeing each other at the beginning of the ceremony – along with all of the guests! Usually the first look will happen in a private location.
Privacy is key:
Some couples pick a special place for their first look or the most beautiful place on the venue property. I have placed couples on docks, open fields, alley ways, and in beautiful parks for a first look. I try my best to get the couple away from family, the bridal party, and into a place where it is just them. As a result 9 out of 10 times, I will be the only witness to the first look.
This privacy gives the couple a chance to get their nerves out and to express their true emotions towards each other and for them to get a chance to kiss and hug before the series of big events start happening. Wedding days are a whirlwind and go by so fast. During this private moment, the couple is able to truly appreciate and prepare for the day and head into their ceremony will less anxiety. At every first look I photograph, the couple is extremely emotional- tears, laughter, smiles, it is all there! These emotions may not exist if it wasn’t for the privacy.
Time is everything:
Time on a wedding day is critical and precious. Time flies by FAST on a wedding day. By having a first look, it allows for more time for family formals and bridal party photos before the ceremony. Depending on the schedule, it can also mean more time for couples’ portraits. We can also do many more family formals before the ceremony than after the ceremony. It ultimately decreases the amount of time you are away from your guests at cocktail hour. Consequently it allows for more time with your guests and family.
Calming those nerves:
One of the more stressful parts of a couple’s day centers around not seeing each other before the ceremony starts. This can stem from the stressful planning process, family traditions, others’ expectations, and a variety of other stressors. Anxiety can increase stress and almost every couple. I have shot that has done a first look has felt a sigh of relief after seeing their partner. A wedding day is truly full of so many emotions. Many couples spend months planning their wedding and who doesn’t have anxiety after putting so much thought into such an important day?! Both the bride and groom need to get these nerves out to enjoy their day more fully. The first look is a perfect way to kick that anxiety to the curb!
Different types of First Looks:
First looks are not only common for couples but have also become popular for fathers and brides. At numerous weddings, when the bride is fully ready, she will do a first look with her father. As a self-proclaimed daddy’s girl, this pulls the heart strings for me to see these unbreakable bonds brides have with their fathers. This creations incredible and priceless photos.
First looks are definitely a personal choice. It is something to talk with your partner about as one of you may have a stronger opinion on the topic. Regardless, first looks definitely have their place on a wedding day and can be beneficial. As I always tell my couples, your wedding day is your day; wedding traditions are always changing and adapting, you decide which ones you want to keep and which ones you don’t! I hope this wedding planning blog post helped you decide if a first look may or may not be for you!
Have ideas on what you would like discussed in the Wedding Planning Series? I would love to hear from you! Use the Contact Me tab above and let me know!
