We all know the wedding scene is changing… things are different since the days our parents got married it’s more than just the style of the wedding dress, the medium of photography and the formalities of everything from invitations to rsvps and thank yous! Another highly debated “contemporary tradition” and choice couples face is deciding to do a “First Look”.
Tradition vs. First Look… I’m going to break it down with pro’s and cons for each. Ultimately the decision in the end is that of the couple. For my brides I simply lay out the facts and give them different angles to view both choices but I don’t push them in either direction. I only say I’ve had brides come back and say they wish they’d done one- but I’ve yet to have a bride say it’s something they regretted doing.
Traditional: Waiting to See your Groom
You’ll see him from the top of the aisle at the ceremony- but not until then!
Pros:
- Keep traditions in tact- you still have a pure and virtual “moment” seeing him from the top of the aisle
- First Emotions are shared with all your friends and family
- You get to spend all the time before the ceremony- relishing in your last hours of minutes of being single with your wedding party
Cons:
- There’s a rush after the ceremony to complete pictures and at times guests are kept waiting
- Your pictures as a couple- alone- are very Last.
- Reserved individuals typically aren’t as expressive and work to control their emotions in front of others
- You don’t get to verbally share your feelings and excitement until after the wedding
- You get very little time alone with your spouse
The “First Look”
You’ll have a private moment at a special location on your wedding day to see one another before the ceremony and the majority of the pictures take place. These can either be exclusive to the couple or you can have your family and wedding party watching you in the distance. As your photographer I’ll be at a distance with my “granddaddy” lens allowing and capturing everything candidly as it unfolds so you have the freedom and comfort to laugh, cry, and express your excitement about the day with your future spouse. :)
Pros:
- You have the freedom to take as much time as you’d like for the pictures of you and your fiance’ and all the pictures take place before the make up runs and while your smiles are still fresh :)
- There’s much more emotion typically expressed because it’s just you and him
- It keeps the wedding about You and Him.
- You get 2 “first looks”- when you see him from the top of the aisle I can assure you it’s filled with excitement and emotion still. (it’s TIME- everyone’s there and waiting in eager anticipation to watch you walk down the aisle)
- You’ll get to join your guests at the reception much sooner as you’ll only have a few remaining pictures left to take
- It eases your nerves at the very beginning of the day and you get to enjoy the entire day- laughing, smiling, and crying those happy tears- together. :)
- That 10 minutes you have during the “first look” may be the Only 10 minutes you have alone the entire day
Cons:
- It’s against tradition
- You’ll have less “girl time” on your wedding day
Other Reasons a First Look may be the right choice for you…
1. There won’t be enough time after your ceremony to take pictures outside
2. You know you’ll be emotional and may even shed a few (or many) tears of joy and your make up by the end of the ceremony won’t be spotless and as perfect as it was before.
Here’s a couple that decided to do a first look in July… I just love their pictures and excitement of this day they were able to celebrate and enjoy together!
She was talking to him as she walked up… so cute!
So cute!
She was proud of the beautiful gerber daisy in her hair :)
Checking out the dress…
I also get the common question about having a second photographer…
Walt and Shea did have a second photographer and this was her angle for the first look. :)
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