There are many decisions you make for your wedding day. Did you know that there is one decision that plays a MAJOR role in your timeline and getting photos done? This one decision greatly impacts how smooth your day runs! It’s whether or not you decide to do a first look!

 

 

SO, what is a first look?
This is where the couple decides to create a private moment and see each other before the ceremony.

Here are some of the main factors that play into my couples choosing to do a first look! AND how it will help your day run more smoothly!

1. More Time Together on your wedding day

Most ceremonies are in the early evening (especially summer weddings) If your ceremony is at 5pm you’ve spent almost your WHOLE wedding day without seeing your spouse! It’s so special to have a few quiet moments together before you start the ceremony. And after all, don’t you want to spend as much time as possible with your almost spouse on your wedding day?! With a first look you’ll get to enjoy more of your day TOGETHER celebrating the commitment you’re making to each other!

2. More intimate

During the first look you have a moment to soak each other in and the reality that you are getting married that day! You can twirl and show off your dress, he can pull you in tight for a kiss! You can ask what he thinks of your hair or if he thought you’d pick the style of dress you did. These things can’t exactly happen at the altar. On the wedding day all eyes are on the Bride and Groom and that can be a lot of pressure! For the first look you can create the experience of walking down the aisle and seeing each other for the first time with just the two of you! This is nice because don’t have the added pressure of all those extra eyes on you and feeling like you have to react a certain way when you see your future spouse.

3. Spend more time with Guests

Doing a first look allows you to take a majority of your photos before the ceremony! (Bride & Groom Portraits, Wedding Party Portraits, & Family Portraits) After the ceremony you just need time for a few “Just Married”/ Sunset Portraits” and any remaining family photos. One major reasons my couples love first looks is because they can join part of cocktail hour with their guests. Now for some couples this isn’t a big deal, but if you really want to greet all of your guest you might prefer more time with them at cocktail hour. Traditionally most of the formal photos are taken after the ceremony and before the reception. To take all the formals you need you’ll need about 70-90 minutes! (Family Formals, Bridal Party & bride and groom photos) If you want to mingle with your guests and not keep them waiting at cocktail hour, doing a first look would allow you more time!

 4. Not Shooting in the dark

Many weddings start close to sunset, so by the time the ceremony is over it is starting to get dark! Consult with your photographer on the timeline to avoid shooting important family formals or portraits in the dark! Doing a first look allows you to move these photos up earlier in the day so you can shoot in beautiful light and not have to worry about your photographer needing to use flash and making your forehead shiny!

5. Less Stress and More Photos

Seeing each other will instantly alleviate any nerves or anxiousness you may have! You’ll be able to enjoy your day more and relax once you are with one another. You’ll also have more time for photos, so if the weather isn’t cooperating you won’t be stressed. The majority of your formal photos will be done before the ceremony so you can really enjoy the celebration! When you do a first look you are generally taking Bride and Groom portraits twice! The first time is during the first look and then again right before sunset (for the most dreamy and romantic light!) This gives you a great variety of photos and if the weather turns and you aren’t able to take photos outside after the ceremony, you already have photos!

I hope that insight into why doing a first look might help your wedding day run smooth was helpful! Do you think a first look is right for you?