Your First look is an amazing part of your wedding day! If you are unsure about this tradition, I will explain why it would be the perfect addition to your wedding day that not only adds to the experience but also reduces STRESS!
Think about it this way…
It’s before the ceremony and the gravity of what is about to happen starts to sink in. The groom waits in a little room somewhere for his cue from the coordinator, which seems like it’s taking FOREVER. Finally, the coordinator leads her head in and hurries the groom to get ready. When he enters the ceremony, what does he find? 100+ guests and they’re all looking where? Right at him because everyone wants to see his first reaction. Also when the bride comes down the aisle, he can’t even talk to her. He can’t embrace or touch her or tell her how amazing she looks. They have to wait 30-60 minutes after the ceremony and by that time the moment has already passed.
By opting for a first look you get to enjoy the surprise freely…you get to have intimate time on your wedding day with your future spouse.
1. You get to extend your day by 3 hours. Normally if your wedding starts when you come down the aisle, the ceremony would end and you would rush through portraits so you’re not late for the introductions and reception. Instead of being rushed, with a first look you actually get to enjoy your bridal party portraits and hang out more with your best friends on your wedding day.
2. You end up with 40% more portraits. You’re investing a lot into your wedding photography, so why not get more bang for your buck? With a first look, you’ll get nearly 40% more portraits of the two of you, and those images will decorate your home, you will cherish them in your album. With a first look, you are getting more out of your investment in photography.
3. It’s your first time alone. First looks allow you to be alone together on your wedding day more so. Normally portraits are a little rushed after the family formals and it can be hard to get into that “lovey-dovey” mode, especially with family around. When you have your first look, you’re ready to love on each other with just the two of you and this is when your photographer can capture some super sweet images!
4. It alleviates Nerves. Did I mention this yet? You get rid of your nerves! I’d say at least half of my couples who have decided to do a first look were not fans of it at first. Because they had never experienced their wedding day before, they had no idea how nerve racking it can be!
I can tell you this…After experiencing my own wedding and photographing many others, I’ve come to this conclusion. First Looks are AMAZING!