Should I Do A "First Look"?

In the last ten years or so, a new trend called a first look has become very prominent in weddings across the country….but it goes against some of our traditions. So, let’s dive in and figure out if you should have a first look.

What Is A “First Look”?

Simply put, a first look is when your fiancé sees you before the ceremony. Let’s say, for example, your wedding ceremony is at 4:00. Your first look might be at 1:00 or 2:00. You can have it where it’s just you and your fiancé, or with your family and bridal party watching from the side. (Most couples prefer to have it be just the two of them for intimacy ‘s sake, but it’s totally up to you). Your partner stands there facing away from you and you walk up behind them and tap them on the shoulder. They turn around and see you for the first time in your dress and give you a genuine reaction of delight. Maybe they cry, maybe they don’t. Either way, that moment is so special and real, and your photographer and videographer are there to capture it so that you can relive it forever.

What Are The Benefits of Doing a “First Look”?

The main benefit of a first look is that you get to take your time and get all of your pictures done before the ceremony even starts. This is definitely my favorite part about it. It eliminates the stress of rushing around after your ceremony. With a traditional wedding, all of your important photos happen right after the ceremony, and that time goes fast! In the hour from when your ceremony ends to when your reception starts you have to get in a lot of different pictures. Having a first look eliminates the stress of having to rush and it ensures that you get all of the photos you want and more. Anonther benefit is that because you took all of your photos prior to the ceremony, you can enjoy your cocktail hour with all of your guests! This gives you time to greet everyone then so you don’t have to go around to each individual table during the recepiton, which in turn will leave more time for dancing and having fun!

What If You Don’t Want To Do a “First Look”?

If you choose to have a traditional ceremony and not have a first look, it’s not impossible, but it can be problematic. For example, let’s say your ceremony ends at 4:30. You walk down the aisle and wait while your guests make their way to cocktail hour, or leave for the reception venue if your ceremony takes place at a different location. It can take about ten minutes just for everyone to clear out. You start your family formal photos at 4:40. If everything goes smoothly, you finish up at 4:55, but what if Grandpa and Uncle Ned go to use the restroom and get sucked into conversations with other guests? What if some family members didn’t know they had to stay for photos and you have to track them down? Then your family photos don’t get finished until 5:05. You hurry into bridal party pictures and finish them at 5:20. Then you start the most important photos of all…the ones of you and your new spouse! Five minutes in to your portraits, the DJ or the maître d’ come to get you for the reception introductions and you didn’t get all of the photos you wanted with your spouse. This has been a reality for many of my clients.

In all honesty, there isn’t anything wrong with this and it is my job to make sure that you get the most epic photos no matter how much time we have. I think that if a traditional wedding is what you want, then that is what you should do. I genuinely want you to be happy and you shouldn’t compromise that for anyone.

If you want to have the tradition of the groom seeing the bride for the first time as she walks down the aisle, then here are some tips to still get a lot of pictures done.

Be very clear in your communications with your family and bridal party about when and where to be to get photographed. Emphasize the importance of their cooperation so that you can enjoy your wedding. I cannot stress this enough.
During dinner when everyone is eating, go outside for night portraits for 5 to 10 minutes. This is a great way to take advantage of some down time, and also get a different looking portrait than earlier in the evening.
Leave a large time gap between the ceremony and the reception. (This only works if your ceremony is held at a different location from the reception, like a church, beach, or park). Then you can take several hours to get all of the photos that you want and still make it back in time to join your guests at cocktail hour. This is an option that I really love.

The bottom line is, there’s no right or wrong answer. Do what you want for your wedding, not what your photographer, your mom, or your maid of honor thinks is best. You should do what makes you happy because you deserve to be happy. This article is just to give you a heads up on what to expect so that you can plan accordingly to get the most out of your special day.

Congratulations on your engagement, and have a blast at your wedding!

contact me