Choosing whether or not to do a first look can be a huge decision for a bride. Will you see your love before your ceremony or during? Traditionally we all know that you are supposed to wait to see your future spouse at the end of the aisle, but more and more often brides are choosing a first look over tradition. So is a first look right for you and your wedding? We definitely love them and think that this might be an amazing option for the modern bride.
First looks can ease nerves
Time and time again we have our couples tell us how nervous they are the morning of their wedding. We’ve seen again and again how during a first look their nerves go away instantly and they are able to enjoy the rest of the pre-ceremony time together without the stress of it all.
You will get more time together
Your wedding day is all about you and your spouse coming together as one. Couples who plan a first look can spend up to 5 more hours together than those who don’t. Spending that time with your spouse on your wedding day is something that you will never be able to get back and that you will never regret.
You will be able to spend more time with your guests
During your reception you won’t have to worry about taking it all in, being able to focus in on the party and the guests. You will have had time to revel in the amazing fact that you are married now and you can sit back and enjoy the day. You also wont have to worry about trying to catch up on family photos!
You will be able to get more wedding photos
When you schedule time for a first look you will be able to have more time for getting photos taken. We are able to get more than double the amount of couples portraits when our couples allow time for a first look and photos before their ceremony. We’re also able to take most, if not all of the family and bridal party images before hand. Instead of them having to leave your reception you can relax and enjoy the party knowing you already have those images taken. You won’t have to sacrifice.
Most ceremonies start between 4-6 P.M. when it may be too dark for photos. This just depends on the sunset time. Aim for 1.5 hours before the sun sets for your ceremony.
Attempting to take couples portraits, family photos, and bridal party portraits in 15-30 minutes after a ceremony trying to beat the sun set is almost impossible, and it definitely wont allow time for us to create those beautiful, artistic photographs you want to have from your wedding day. When you allow time for a first look you will be able to get all those images and more because you’ve given us time with you to spread them out throughout your day.
First looks are intimate and irreplaceable
What could be better on your wedding day then to get personal, one-on-one moments with your spouse? Instead of getting bits-of-pieces of time with them throughout a couple of hours you get intimate time with just them. During your first look you get to see them and talk, cry, laugh and enjoy every moment with them. You can take in those precious moments together and take on the day with those moments already encouraged by the love of your spouse-to-be. Often we even see grooms cry at the first look and then again at the ceremony. Seeing his bride is something special that won’t be ruined by how it is done.
Art isn’t created in 15 minutes
When you hire us as your wedding photographers you are paying us to tell a story, to create art out of the moments you live. Posing, creating, and getting all these shots to tell your love story in all its glory can’t happen in just 15 minutes after the ceremony. There is no way that we can capture an hours worth of portraits in 15 minutes. We love being able to tell a story with your love and show the world your wedding and the best way to do that is to give each important moment the time it deserves.
We can say that we have never once had a couple regret doing a first look. On the other hand we can say that we’ve had couples regret waiting because they sacrificed those photos that they can never get back.
We say all this not to convince or force couples to choose a first look, we tell you this to highlight potential benefits we don’t want you to miss out on. In fact, we just want you to be informed before you make a decision that can impact your memories! We hope this helps and we hope that your wedding ends up being all that you dream it will be.
Blessings,
Katie & Alec
Looking to learn more helpful tips & tricks for your wedding day? Check out our special blog series for brides where we’ve created content just for you!
