First Look: Everything You Need to Know
Traditionally, on the day of the wedding the groom doesn’t see the bride until the moment she walks down the aisle. This is known as the first look.
But in modern days, the “first look” is an intentional moment that can occur before the ceremony because here’s the dealio yo. It’s YOUR day. Do what feels right and aligned with YOU!
Also, please know that I used the terms “groom” and “bride” because “traditionally” that’s the way things went down. But from this moment forward, I will affirm marriage between ALL people regardless of gender, sexuality or anything else that’s irrelevant to the emotional experience we as humans call love.
Here’s my argument for why you SHOULD do a first look BEFORE the wedding ceremony.
“The power of a glance has been so much abused in love stories, that it has come to be disbelieved in. Few people dare now to say that two beings have fallen in love because they have looked at each other. Yet it is in this way that love begins, and in this way only.”
1. A Moment to Breathe
Tegan (photo above and blessed the content of the message) was SOOOO nervous before her ceremony. She had absolutely NO doubt that Mike was her forever person, but she’s pretty private and the whole idea of standing in front of a bunch of people was starting to feel pretty vulnerable.
That’s where Mike stepped in. Literally. They had their first look and it eased Tegan’s nerves and removed any unnecessary pressure of the “big moment”.
The photographer snagged these shots of Tegan and Mike before guests arrived in a private area of the venue. This offered a rare, quiet moment alone for to the couple before the craziness of everyone arriving, the ceremony commencing and the obligatory making of the rounds with all their dearest friends.
This was a necessary opportunity for Mike and Tegan to ground themselves in their love and stay focused on what matters.
2. The Processional is Still Killer
Although Tegan and Mike did their first look before the ceremony… I gotta tell you…when Tegan walked down the aisle, even I almost shed a tear. The experience these two shared before the ceremony didn’t detract AT ALL from the moment the music was cued, the guests rose, and Tegan processed down to her soon to be husband. Talk about the feels!
3. More Photo Ops
According to the Huffington Post and Shutterfly, 21% of brides wish they’d invested more on photography. I’m not a photog so I have no dog in this fight BUT I say the more the merrier. The photos above were snapped BEFORE the ceremony. Again, it was a moment of stillness where very few people were at the venue and the couple were able to enjoy the quietness of their love.
4. More Party Time
Taking photos up front means after the ceremony, you’ll be one step closer to actually kicking back and enjoying your reception.
While most people still want family and wedding party portraits, (I mean, it’s very rare that you gather all your loved ones together at once), you won’t have as much time dedicated to couple’s portraits if you knock it out up front.
Photography: @foxhousestudio
HMU: @brushesandbraids
Venue: @weaverhouse_nc
Brews: @dssolvr
Officiant: @happilyeverasheville
5. But I’m eloping. Does this even apply?
Oh you know it! While most couples arrive together to their elopement, if you truly want to do a first look, it can happen. Check out this behind-the-scenes reel I made from an elopement that included just me, the photographer and the couple.
