To look or not to look!
5 reasons why you should have a First Look.One of my favorite moments during a wedding day, is the First Look... no question about it. A First Look is when a bride and groom see one another before the wedding ceremony in a very special moment. No words can describe the tender emotions and reactions of that instant when the couple sees each other for the first time on the most important day in their love story... There are a few benefits of doing a First Look and I wanted to break down some of the big ones. So, without further ado:
1. It gives you a private moment away from the chaos. Being able to enjoy and savor that first moment of seeing one another on your wedding day privately is so valuable, because for the rest of the day you will be surrounded by people constantly.
2. Family and friends will want to talk to you almost every second of the reception, so it is great to have a little private moment with just the two of you to soak it all in, without guests watching.
3. Being able to hug/kiss/cry/laugh/smile and not feel like you have to hold back, and having that instant reaction and tender moment documented will become one of your favorite moments on your wedding day.
4. Timing. Doing a First Look provides much more time for photos without being rushed. Immediately after the First Look, photographers typically photograph the bride and groom together for a little while. Then they photograph the bridal party. Family photos can even be done before the ceremony as well. Then after the ceremony, you are free to party! Which brings me to my next point: Attending Cocktail Hour. This ties into timing, but when we do the majority of photos before the cocktail hour, couples can attend some if not all of their cocktail hour. You can enjoy that tasty signature drink you created for your special day, and have lots of time to chat with family and friends!
5. Doing a First Look and photos before the ceremony often allows for much flexibility and options with the wedding day timeline and photo opportunities. It reduces your overall stress and helps you not to feel rushed! Daylight. Depending on what time of year a wedding is or how late the ceremony starts, a First Look enables the couple to have beautiful natural light photos while it is still light outside. If a couple is getting married in November with an evening ceremony at 7:00pm, it will obviously be pitch dark outside when the ceremony is done. Doing a First Look, bride/groom photos, bridal party photos, and even family photos prior to the ceremony and sunset would allow for photos outside in the beautiful light. Calming those nerves. My brides are definitely less nervous for the ceremony and the rest of the wedding day when they do a First Look. They are just as excited and anxious, as are the grooms, but less nervous since they have already had time with their soul-mate before the ceremony. One of my brides described it best when she told me that the First Look and walking down the aisle were two completely different experiences, but just as emotional and exciting!
Video by www.indieglowfilms.com
