A first look can be an amazing part of your wedding day, however it is a completely personal choice. If you aren’t sure about this tradition, this article will explain what it is, some pros and cons and how it fits into your timeline. For the perfect timeline for a relaxed wedding day, you can read this article and access a pdf wedding day timeline. Please know that I would never want any of our couples to feel pressured to go with the option of having a first look. However, I do want to make sure that I share all of the benefits of a first look, because there is a reason couples do this and LOVE it!
The First Look Explained
I love "First Looks" and will always discuss this option with my couples when planning their timeline. There is a reason for this. They’re awesome! However, not everyone is aware of the benefits of having one, because they get caught up in how “non-traditional” it is and write it off. I can completely understand that mindset because I had the same mindset about my own wedding! A First Look was just not done when we got married and I didn't even consider and option that strayed from the traditional reaction down the aisle. Given that we eloped, we were certainly not taking a traditional route, I was just completely unaware of it as an option and wanted to see his reaction as I walked down the aisle. Fast forward 19years(!!) and many first looks captured between couples, I can safely say I love it and YES you will still get an emotional reaction as you walk down the aisle!
A first look is a planned moment before the ceremony where the couple sees each other for the first time on their wedding day. Typically this is organised by the photographer (hopefully me!), and is set up in a private and location, allowing the couple to share an intimate moment away from the crowds. The photographer captures the emotions—anticipation, joy, and sometimes tears—as the couple sees each other in their wedding outfits for the first time.
For most couples, the nerves kick in before they see their partner because when they see them, everything becomes VERY real! So when the nerves start creeping in, instead of waiting in hiding or standing in front of guests until the ceremony starts, what if you took them to a private place...no people, no onlookers, no distractions...and you let the love of their life, quietly call their name and have them turn around to see them for the first time. They would turn around and finally get their first look at their stunning partner and not only would they get to see them... they could embrace each other...cry with each other...kiss each other...and ENJOY that moment with each other for as LONG as they wanted. As they admire each other and twirl a few times and then asks each other what they thinks...the nerves start to diminish. After all, they are the ones who can make each other the most comfortable anyway.
Because they aren’t in a time crunch, they casually move into their romantic portraits. No one is around, the coordinator isn’t announcing “15 minutes left”, and there is no pressure. It’s just the two of them and their photographer...capturing the excitement and the joy of their wedding day. This is their time to be TOGETHER...and to be ALONE. When does that happen on a wedding day? Without a First Look, it doesn’t happen. After their romantic portraits are done, they meet up with their best friends. Their wedding party joins them and because they still have plenty of time to spare, it's time to touch up a little makeup.
After a few minutes, the wedding party portraits begin and they’re fun. They’re fun, because there is time to make them fun. Everyone is relaxed, you don't have guests waiting impatiently at cocktail hour and there isn’t a DJ trying to find the photographer to get a time check. How fantastic!!
After portraits are done everyone separates and prepares for the ceremony. The guests begin to arrive and the celebrant commences housekeeping guides. Pretty soon it’s time for the processional music to begin and one by one, the bridesmaids make their way down to the front of the ceremony. As the couple walk towards each other, there is less nervousness and more excitement. When their eyes meet and they take each other in best friend, companion, sweetheart, the closer they get, the bigger the smiles
Now let me pause here before going any further.....my couples are not required to do a First Look by any means! I always mention it to couples even if they are leaning towards a more traditional wedding day, but I've seen the benefits of a First Look over and over again, and so I only share this because I want the BEST for my couples!! But it is totally ok if couples choose not to share a First Look!
Keep reading to find out more about the pros and cons of sharing a First Look. For brides not interested in a First Look, let’s start chatting soon about how we’ll create the perfect timeline to fit everything in and maintain a relaxed and laid-back wedding day with family and friends. Remember, this is your wedding and you do you!
THE FIRST LOOK - PROS
40% MORE PORTRAITS
You’re investing a lot into your wedding photography. With a First Look, you’ll receive 40% MORE portraits of the two of you and those are the images you will decorate your first home with! This means you can free up time later in the day for more candid and creative photography. You will be able to have portrait photos and wedding party photos and even some family shots prior to the ceremony ensuring you can join the celebrations a lot sooner.
SOME ALONE TIME
You actually get to have intimate time on your wedding day with your partner. Most couples don’t realise that when you come down the aisle and totally SHOCK each other with your gorgeousness...you can’t even tell each other how amazing you both look. You often can't touch or embrace each other or even speak to each other. You have to wait until 30 minutes later when the ceremony is over for them to react and tell you how amazing you look. And after 30 minutes of the ceremony, the reaction isn’t the same as the initial first glance. The time spent having a First Look is usually the most alone time you will probably get on your wedding day!
MAKE THE DAY LAST
First Looks allow you to extend your wedding day. Normally the wedding day would start when you come down the aisle, then the ceremony would end, you would rush through family formals and wedding party portraits so that you’re not late for the introductions at reception time. With a First Look, your wedding day is extended by almost 3 hours! Instead of being rushed for your wedding party portraits, you actually get to enjoy them and have fun hanging out with your BEST friends on your wedding day. The WHOLE first half of my clients' wedding albums are filled with images just from this time together before the ceremony.
NO MORE NERVES
You get rid of your nerves! Usually one of you will be standing in front of a LOT of people, who are all watching you to see if you can hold it together as you see your sweetheart walk down the aisle. It can be nerve wrecking! - For you both! Most couples feel so much more relaxed for the ceremony after having shared a First Look and spending that bit of time with each other.
THE FIRST LOOK - CONS
BREAKING TRADITION
Seeing each other before the ceremony is a modern idea that goes against tradition and may feel like it takes away from the special moment of walking down the aisle. Some couples think that the emotion of a First Look wont be the same as seeing each other for the first time walking down the aisle.
AN EARLIER WEDDING DAY START
Because we are taking most of your portraits prior to the ceremony and taking the time to do a First Look, your day will need to start a lot earlier and more preparation time is needed. Hair and makeup must also be ready earlier than if you skipped the first look.
LESS EXCITEMENT
Some couples feel that by having a First Look, there is less anticipation for the ceremony and that they may not be as excited to see each other walking don the aisle.
SO HOW DOES IT AFFECT MY TIMELINE?
A First Look can be done in 15 - 20 minutes (15 minutes needed prior to get everyone where they need to be and ready for the grand reveal), however it is the portrait time and the wedding party portraits done at this time that needs to be allowed for which I usually allow an hour for. Then the couple will make their way to their spots ready for the ceremony start. By doing this the time allowed for photographs after the ceremony and before reception can be reduced as we will have already taken most of the formal shots prior to the ceremony. Effectively you are swapping photography time from after the ceremony to be before the ceremony. There will still need to be a little bit of time after the ceremony for a whole group photo and any other family formals photographs as well as about 15 minutes of Just Married portraits.
FIRST LOOK EXPECTATIONS
If you have never seen your partner cry or get emotional, you can’t expect thm to be overly emotional on your wedding day. Some people just embrace their partners and never cry...and that’s okay. Some people show very little emotion when their partner is coming down the aisle and that’s okay too. Just enjoy this amazing day, and try not to put any expectations on each other. If you take this advice to heart, I could potentially be saving you a lot of disappointment on your day. One thing we have noticed is that the stress and nerves that come with a wedding day can sometimes make it hard for some people to truly express their emotions no matter what the timeline looks like. It’s just a lot to take in all at once. This is a great reason to share a First Look and also a great reason to give some grace to your partner! Sure, you deserve to feel beautiful, but my encouragement to you is to enjoy this time together, no matter what their reaction is like!
