The First Look
When planning your wedding day, it’s no secret that there are a lot of decisions to be made. As a wedding photographer, one of the most common questions I get from couples is, “Should we do a first look?” This topic is up for debate because it is generally considered customary for the groom to see his bride for the first time as she is walking down the aisle. But in recent history, doing a first look has become a popular practice in wedding photography.
Here is a comprehensive guide, from the perspective of a wedding photographer, to help you make your choice!
Simply put: it’s up to you! As a general rule when it comes to making decisions about the big day, release yourself from the pressure of following tradition or succumbing to trends. Just do what feels right specifically for you and your fiancé!
If you ask me personally, I am definitely more pro first look. However, from a professional standpoint, I feel that it’s not always a must for everyone. If there’s enough time for pictures after the ceremony, it can work without a first look.
Why You Should Do A First Look:
1. Privacy
Most of your wedding day will be spent surrounded by family, friends, and other guests. Doing a first look gives you an essential bit of time where it is just you and your partner. The rest of the world falls away and you can just be alone with your favorite person before the celebration starts.
2. Time
Feeling rushed or pressed for time might seem inevitable but a great way to combat this is allotting enough time for pictures. The first look acts as a bit of a life hack in this way because it takes place before the ceremony. Otherwise, you’ll likely spend most of cocktail hour trying to cram in all your photos. This way, you don’t miss out on mingling with your guests. Additionally, coordinating large groups of people is time consuming so getting the couple shots out of the way beforehand ends up giving you back more time in the long run.
3. Spontaneity
My favorite part of the first look process is capturing a genuine reaction. It is unbelievably special to have some photographs that aren’t posed or totally planned. You never know what kind of emotional response you’re going to see through the lens and that is exactly what makes it so exciting.
If you aren’t convinced, there are always alternatives! The “First Touch” is another great option. You don’t necessarily have to see each other or feel like you’re spoiling the surprise in order to share an intimate moment. You can stand on opposite sides of a corner wall and simply hold hands or have a small chat for a few minutes. Just feeling your partner’s presence can help to calm the nerves before the madness begins, even if you’re standing back to back without turning around.
If you’re set on preserving tradition, remember you can always do a first look with someone other than your partner. You can still capture that raw emotion by setting up a grand reveal with your wedding party or parents instead!
