The first look is when a couple sees each other for the first time on their wedding day.
As a wedding photographer, I constantly get asked whether I suggest my clients should be doing first looks at their weddings or not. This can be a very personal thing as the decision comes with a lot of changes to your wedding day schedule, emotions, potential regret, and will impact financially how much your day will cost.
Whenever my client asks me whether I suggest if they should do a first look or not, I usually tell them the following things…
1. Doing a first look will definitely impact the number of hours that you have to book certain vendors for. For instance, for your videographer and photographer this will most likely add one to two hours to your overall booking time. Simply because you will have to do your first look before the ceremony, which means that you will have to start your day much earlier, start getting your hair and make up done earlier, and get all of your photos done before the ceremony. Although this may sound like a con, it sort of is a pro and a con. Although adding a first look to your ceremony can make your bookings more expensive, it will give you the freedom to attend your cocktail hour for the entire time, the benefit of seeing your future spouse privately and not having to have your emotions bared in front of your entire family at your ceremony, and will also give you more time to relax and get comfortable with the idea that today is your wedding day.
2. As mentioned above, if you were to do a first look, then most likely you will be able to attend almost your entire cocktail hour. That’s one of the reasons I suggest adding a first look to my client’s day. Many of my clients go back-and-forth on this decision. However, if they mention that they don’t want to miss their cocktail hour - whether they are having a special food item, a special performance, or they would like to greet everyone at their cocktail hour instead of the reception, then I usually suggest that a first look might be a good fit for them.
3. A third reason why I might suggest doing a first look, is if either you or your future spouse feel embarrassed in front of a large crowd. If it makes you feel nervous seeing your your spouse for the first time at the ceremony and possibly crying in front of your wedding guests, then I would suggest adding a first look to your day. When you do it before the ceremony, you get to see each other and get comfortable being around each other. The whole experience becomes private and beautifully intimate!
4. One reason for not adding a first look, would be if you, your spouse, or your family feel very strongly about sticking to the traditional way of seeing each other for the first time down the aisle. As a photographer, I have no problem with doing a first look or not doing a first look. It simply is what ever works best for your preference.
I could go on and on with this topic, but it really comes down to what you and your fiancé feel is the best fit for your day. Whether you choose to have a first look or not, your day is still going to be so special, beautiful, and the moment you see each other is going to be a moment that you’ll never forget. Feel free to email me with any questions that you may have or if you would like my input on your day!
Happy wedding!!
