First Look
If you’re not sold on a first look just by crying over the photos above, I’m here to educate you! When it comes to doing a first look, I’m not going to push whether you do one or not. It’s totally your call! However, I will inform you of both the pro’s and con’s to adding one into your timeline!
Let’s start with the bad.
You’ll have to adjust your timeline to allow either 15 minutes or an hour of space before your ceremony. If you plan on doing JUST the first look, you’ll have to give yourself an extra 15 minutes before your ceremony starts to see your partner! If you’re wanting to do all of the formals {bridal party and/or family} prior to ceremony, you’ll have to give an additional hour prior to your ceremony. Resort back to the TIMELINE schedule to see what this looks like!
You’ll be breaking tradition. You won’t have that “seeing him for the first time” vibe when you walk down the aisle {says the world, NOT me!}
His mom is going to be PISSED.
If your groom doesn’t show much emotion, it may be awkward for him. He’ll stand there and be like nice dress babe, now what…?
And onto the pros!
I’m going to start with the most important factor. You’ll be alone together and this will be the only time you’ll have this opportunity all day. It’s a great option for those wanting to spend private time together as newlyweds, ease the nerves, absorb the feeling and take a deep breath together. Even though I will be there, I will not be giving you any directions and will be discreet as possible! I won’t say a single word until you turn to me and say “we’re ready for whats next!”.
By adjusting your timeline to do your couple formals or even the bridal party formals, prior to the ceremony, it means you can enjoy cocktail hour WITH your guests and actually TALK to them! This is a big plus. It’s not too often you get the chance to mingle before dinner starts and if you’re mingling with them during cocktail hour, odds of you going behind schedule during the reception is slim to none as you’ll feel peace of mind knowing “okay, we already said hey to those family members”! If you’re not wanting to do a cocktail hour, you can even skip the cocktail and go straight into your reception!
The tradition of the groom seeing his bride as she walks down the aisle goes waaaaaaaaaaay back. It came from arranged marriages, insuring he didn’t make a run for it if he didn’t find the bride attractive! Let’s be real, it’s a tradition that’s meant to be broke, as odds are, your groom is well aware how beautiful you are!
Alright, I totally made that last point up. I have no idea why it became a tradition, but that’s what I assume ;)
If you’re wanting that “AWE” photo of the grooms reaction when he see’s you walking down the aisle for the first time, you’re going to get that reaction x100 in a private first look setting! A groom is more likely going to cry if he’s with you, and you only. I PROMISE he is still going to smile when you walk down the aisle, even if he’s already seen you!
Most brides DON’T wear their veil or bring their bouquet for the first look, so come ceremony, they have something new/something to complete their look so their groom has those “whoa” vibes all over again! New bride, who dis.
It's the perfect opportunity for grooms with nerves. If your groom is super nervous to be standing in front of everyone during the ceremony, a first look will totally ease his nerves as he’s already seen you!
MORE PHOTOS TOGETHER. By adding a first look, you’ll have 3 different styles of photos of the two of you in your gallery! You’ll have bright afternoon sun during your first look, evening light during your formals after the ceremony and sunset glow when you sneak out during the reception!
A first look is like an insurance policy. I once had a wedding where it was sunny in the morning, so they opted for a first look last minute as it was calling for rain after their ceremony. Because of this, they have sunny bride + groom photos due to having a first look. Had they chose to only do photos after the ceremony, they would of been rained out/gloomy overcast vibes.
I hope this helps you narrow down your decision! However, a first look is almost essential if you’re having a 6PM ceremony in October, or a 4PM ceremony in November. If you’re having an after supper ceremony, or an evening wedding, you’ll want to consider what time the sun is setting. It will be impossible to have sunny, outdoor formal photos after a 4PM ceremony in November as it’ll be pitch black outside! I have never had a couple REGRET doing a first look but I’ve had them regret NOT doing one. The first look photos are normally a brides favourite, as they have the most emotion in their final gallery!