Why I love First Looks

 

Personally, I love when the bride and groom choose to have their first look before the ceremony. It gives them a chance to be together quietly and look at each other before the madness soaks in. They can breathe each other in and soak in their day. Not going to lie, it also is amazing to capture as a photographer. You see all the feels, they might get a little teary eyed, ahhh it’s just incredible!

I also love fist looks because it gives the photographer enough time to get some awesome bride and groom shots before anything else starts. We can get those classy portraits the parents want, and have plenty of time after the ceremony to sign your wedding licence, fix the hair if you need, and get right into the party.

For our wedding we had all the family pictures and first look before the ceremony. We had a lot of friends and family come out of town, so we personally didn’t want to keep them waiting while we took pictures after the ceremony. We told our wedding party and our family to show up to the venue at a certain time for family pictures, so we got it all out of the way. My husband and I got our first look done first, and it was magical. I loved tapping him on the shoulder and have him react to my dress and how I looked. It was beautiful. Just knowing that feeling and walking up to him all dressed up, made me feel so excited and beautiful when all who saw me was him in that moment.

I always encourage my brides to do a first look before the ceremony just because of timing, those feelings, and to relax the bride. It can be stressful right after the ceremony to get some pictures in because then you feel more anxious to greet all your guests that came, or your hungry now so you want food, then you have to sign your licence, and a lot of things start to flood into your mind. Don’t get me wrong, I love the idea of having the groom only see his bride as she’s walking down the aisle, but I just encourage brides to allow time after the ceremony (during cocktail hour) to squeeze in family/ bride and groom portraits. Keep in mind that there are always sunset pictures, so you could save your bride and groom shots for the end- but remember to do those, and not get caught up too deeply in drinking. 😉

So there you have it- I love first looks!! Pretty short and sweet, but that’s what a first look is, really! It’s a moment of excitement, a little bid of nervous, and love. Enjoy it!

Thanks for reading along with this week’s Sarah Jane’s Bridal Banter and tune in next week for another installment of wedding bantering!Have a great Wednesday, friends!