Getting married is such an important event in your life. Actually scratch that. It’s THE MOST important event in your life. As you plan all of the details for your perfect day, have you considered that doing a first look (or not doing a first look) will completely shape the timeline and flow of your entire day?
What Is a First Look?
Simply put, a first look is when a couple sees each other in a private, intimate moment at some point before the ceremony on their wedding day.
A first look typically:
- Happens a few hours before the ceremony
- Is set up in a private location
- Is photographed quietly and discreetly without direction from the photographer/videographer
Why do a First Look?
There is no right or wrong answer when couples are trying to decide if they should do a first look; the decision should be made according to the timeline and how they envisioned this special moment of their day. But if you’re not sure what to do, keep scrolling for six reasons why a first look might be perfect for you.
1. Intimate and Special
Doing a first look offers a beautiful, quiet moment for the two of you to see each other without hundreds of eyes watching. There is no rush in this moment and you can take as much time as you want as your photographers and videographers step back to give you privacy. For couples who don’t love the spotlight and attention, this reason alone is worth doing a first look. And as a huge bonus, these few moments typically make for beautiful and emotional photos and video.
2. Nerves
Couples are often nervous leading up to the moment they see each other walking down the aisle. If your ceremony is later in the day, that can mean hours of built-up anticipation. For some couples, it’s hard to fully relax and enjoy the morning/afternoon when those nerves are still sitting there.
Choosing to do a first look earlier in the day allows you to share that moment privately, settle those nerves, and actually experience the full day together.
3. Spend the Day Together
One of the most common things you hear after a wedding is how fast the day went by. Imagine if you could spend the ENTIRE day with your spouse-to-be, rather than just after the ceremony on? Doing a first look allows you to spend the full day together (besides getting ready).
4. All Photos Are Done Ahead of Time
If you choose to do a first look, then that means you are able to get all of your wedding party, family photos, and couples photos done BEFORE the ceremony, so that after the ceremony, you can move right into your cocktail hour or dinner!
5. Allows You to Customize Your Cherished Moment
Another aspect to consider with a first look is how customizable the moment can be. You can choose to keep it completely private with just the two of you, or invite immediate family. Some couples even include their entire wedding party. It is entirely up to you.
You also get to choose the time and location, which gives you control over the setting, lighting, and overall feel. Because it is not happening in front of all your guests, it often allows for more natural interaction and closer, more personal portraits than the traditional walk down the aisle.
6. Think about your guests
As we mentioned before, doing a first look well before the ceremony allows you to get all of the wedding photos of your dreams done before the ceremony. This allows you (if you want) to have a later ceremony time so you AND your guests can go straight from the ceremony to the cocktail hour. Otherwise, if you have an early ceremony time, your guests will be waiting a few hours while you get photos done before cocktail hour begins. This definitely isn’t a bad thing and it is common at weddings to have a few hour gap between the ceremony and cocktail hour, but the idea of guests waiting around makes some couples uncomfortable.
First look…yay or nay?
Ultimately, the choice is up to you! There is no right or wrong way on how a couple sees each other for the first time. The first look just allows for easy and efficient timeline planning as well as the option to have that special, private moment. Choose the option that works best for you as a couple!
Communicating with your photographer about your wants and needs is all part of the process! If you are interested in learning more about first looks, weddings, or engagement sessions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at hello@smithandco.photo or smithandco.photo! Happy planning!
