Is a First Look for Me?

Let’s explore the pros and cons to having a first look on your wedding day.

When planning your wedding, you’ll be asked by your wedding planner/ day of coordinator, photographer, and videographer if you two want to have a ‘first look’. Traditionally, you’re not supposed to see your partner before your actual wedding ceremony, but even more traditionally, couples have been seeing each other before the ceremony as their ‘first look’ for… well… YEARS!  Some couples even help dress each other! But let’s get into First Looks…

First Things First…

” What Is the First Look? The first look is when a couple sees each other for the first time on their wedding day. This intimate moment typically makes for an emotional photo opportunity. – According to Brides.com. “

 

…And indeed, it is truly an emotional photo opportunity. If I’m being honest, I am a HUGE advocate for having a first look. Having been a wedding photographer for over 7 years, I always love it when my couples say they want a first look for many reasons. And we’re about to get really into it.

So first off, let’s talk about the pros and cons to having a first look before the ceremony. 

   

 

Like I said, I am a personal fan of having your first look before the ceremony so you guys can have more time together, we can get all our portraits done before the ceremony so you guys can get to the party right away! My husband and I had a first look before our ceremony and seeing me before and during the ceremony was just as special so there’s no ‘spark’ or moment you loose if you see your partner before the ceremony.

Now, like I mentioned earlier, first looks traditionally are down the aisle and you see each other for the first time with everyone around you. This is also totally cute! I have nothing against having this being your first look!!

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Let’s talk about the pros and cons to having a first look DURING the ceremony. 

.     

So, there are some pros and cons to each type of ‘first look’ and you can choose whatever you want and what feels right for the both of you. This blog post is really just to give you some thoughts and considerations on this big question. There’s so much that goes into your wedding day, and having your partner not seeing you before your big day, all the suspense and excitement, you deserve to have this moment the way you want it and how you want it.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Can’t decide which way to go? You can also have a 1/2 First Look! 

 

What’s that you ask? A 1/2 First Look is when you “see” each other before your first look without actually seeing each other. Confusing right? Imagine your partner is blindfolded and they are being led out to hold your hand, maybe be back to back, without actually seeing each other, but all the feels are there. So some couples choose to have a 1/2 first look with just being with each other without seeing each other before the ceremony.

I’ve also seen couples holding hands around a corner as they read their own private vows together. As shown here from Jessica + Andrew’s wedding:

 

So if you’re looking for that first look magic/ emotions without actually having a first look, you can totally do something like this. Just fair warning, it will take some coordination and great listening skills to make sure you both don’t see each other. 🙂

Some ideas for a 1/2 First Look:

• Private vows holding hands around a corner
• Just holding hands and chatting a little
• Playing a song/ singing on a guitar to your partner around the corner or in another room nearby
• Blindfolded and holding hands back to back (maybe sneak in a quick kiss)
• Back to Back holding hands

Like I’ve said before, you can do anything you guys want. What’s most important is doing something that reflects the both of you and how you want to share your wedding day together. What fits your style, your vibe, and your relationship the most. I talked a one of my brides recently that went on about how it feels more like ‘them’ if they dressed each other. He had seen her wedding gown already, and she knows his suit, and it just felt more natural for them to dress each other. So they did! That’s what they wanted to do and what the most sense for them together as a couple. They still had a first look, but it was more fun and their own moment. So you do you and enjoy the day 🙂

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Overall, from a wedding photographer’s perspective, these are just some pros and cons to having a first look, some insight, and if you have any questions about anything at all, just shoot me an email 🙂

Happy Planning!

Here are some weddings with an adorable First Look:

Cayti + Micah’s Intimate Union, WA Elopement 

 

Emma + Kaleb’s Mt. Rainier Elopement

 

Megan + Sam’s Crystal Mountain Resort Wedding Day