I’m here to answer the question “why do a first look?”. A first look is defined as a moment before your ceremony where you as the bride is revealed to your groom, seeing each other for the first time on your elopement or wedding day. If family and friends will be present at your ceremony, this would be in a private place away from family and friends to capture that moment just for the two of you.

Your first look can be such an amazing part of your day – it’s a romantic addition to your wedding that not only adds to the experience but also calms the day-of nerves!

First Look Explained

Not all couples are sure about doing a first look. Those that don’t want to do a first look typically tell me: ‘I want my groom to have a big reaction; to cry when he first sees me walking down the aisle.’ Also, I’ve heard fear expressed that he would not have any reaction at the ceremony if they do a first look! I think that most brides really want a picture-perfect expression! 

Think about this – your groom may feel less pressure and feel more open to expressing his emotions when he sees you at the top of the aisle because of the sweet and intimate moments you two were able to share during your first look.

Put yourself in your groom’s shoes. Without a first look on the day of your wedding, he hasn’t seen you all day. He is hanging out with his groomsmen waiting for his cue to line up for the start of the ceremony. Perhaps he appeared to be calm earlier on in the day, but is now becoming anxious and nervous. After all, he will be standing in front of your friends and family, each one waiting to see HIS reaction when you reach the aisle! Sounds like a lot of pressure to me, and not very intimate at that. It is absolutely still something you two will remember forever, but if you’ve had a first look you will both be way more relaxed (plus your groom will be far less nervous!). With a first look, the pressure will be off and you two will both be able to enjoy your day and time both apart and together.

Why It’s Worth It

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! With a first look, you make the most out of this investment and get the most for your money.

enjoy the surprise freely

• you actually get to have intimate time on you wedding day with your man. Most brides don’t realize that when you come down the aisle and completely shock him with your gorgeous-ness…he can’t even tell you have amazing you look. he can’t touch you, embrace you or even speak to you. You have to wait until 30 minutes later when the ceremony is over for him to react adn tell you how amazing you look. And after 30 minutes of the ceremony, the reaction isn’t the same as the initial first glance. 

extend your day by 3 hours

• 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 portraits so that you’re not later for the introductions and then it’s reception time. With a first look, your wedding day is extended by almost 3 hours! instead of being rushed for your bridal 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. 

your only alone time

• first looks allow you to be together and alone on your weddIng day. when my husband and i saw each other, not only was it intimate, it was our only time to be alone the whole day! we cried and laughed and cried some more…and then that put us in the perfect mood for our romantic portraits. normally portraits are a little rushed after the family formals and it can be hard to really get back into that ‘lovey dovey’ mode…especially with the family around! when you have just shared your first look, you’re ready and excited to love on each other and I always capture some super sweet images during those moments!

Diminishes nerves

• you get rid of your nerves! I’d say a MAJORITY of my couples who have decided to do a first look, the grooms were not fans of it at first. however, because they have never experienced their wedding day before, they didn’t know how nerve racking it can be. i have had so many past grooms who weren’t initIally a fan of the first look…but afterwards admitted to being so much more relaxed and ready for the ceremony!

First Look Expectations

Brides, if you have never seen your man cry or get emotional, you can’t expect him to be overly emotional on your wedding day. Some guys just embrace their brides and never cry…and that’s ok! I guarantee i will capture his genuine smiles as he sees you for the first time. Some guys show very little emotion when their brides is coming down the aisle and that’s ok too. Just ENJOY this amazing day and try not to put any expectations on him. One thing I have noticed after shooting DOZENS of weddings is that the stress and nerves that come with a wedding day can sometimes make it hard for grooms to truly express their emotions. it’s just a lot to take in all at once. this si a great reason to share a first look and also a great reason to give some grace to your guy! Enjoy this time together, no matter what his reaction is like!

There’s SO many benefits to choosing to do a first look on your wedding day, but most of all it’s important to remember that ultimately it’s YOUR choice – I’m so stoked to for you!

Cheers!

Allison

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