what is a first look?
A first look is when a couple sees each other on their wedding day before their ceremony. This typically involves coordination with your photographer, and sometimes your videographer and planner/coordinator. We keep you and your boo separate up until the first look- a big reveal of how stunning you two are on your wedding day!
wHY WOULDN'T I WANT A FIRST LOOK?
Some couples know automatically that they don't want to do a first look on their wedding day! For others, it can be tricky to decide if a first look is right for you. Here are some of the most common reasons a couple they may want skip a first look...
Because a first look happens before your ceremony (and typically then your newlywed portraits are taken before the ceremony too), this means the entire timeline for your day starts earlier. We need to add an extra half hour (at a minimum) for the first look and portraits to the beginning of the day. Oftentimes, couples will also choose to have their wedding party photos taken after their own portraits, adding another half hour to the pre-ceremony timeline. This is perfectly fine for some couples, while others would rather sleep an extra hour!
A first look occurs earlier in your wedding day before your ceremony. Because of the timing of a lot of ceremonies, this generally puts your first look and time for portraits in the middle of the day. The middle of the day, when the sun is at its highest isn't the best time of day for portraits. The lighting can be harsh and colors can look too vibrant or too washed. Photographers tend to like to avoid taking portraits in the middle of the day because of this.
A technicality, but since you'll be taking your newlywed photos before the ceremony, you won't actually be married for those portraits! Oftentimes too, because of logistics, you aren't wearing your wedding bands for these photos. Either if you want your rings in these photos, or it just might not feel right, could steer you away from choosing to do a first look.
You may feel like if you have a first look, there must be some big, emotional reaction to seeing each other. This is definitely not true!! Whether your first look is before the ceremony or down the aisle, couples should not ever feel compelled to act a particular way on their wedding day. It's an emotional day already without any extra stess!
Having a first look on your wedding day isn't the most traditional choice. And depending on how you've always pictured for your wedding day, it might just not feel right! There are no wrong choices on your wedding day- so if you always pictured seeing your partner for the first time down the ceremony aisle, it's perfectly fine to forgo the first look.
I think this is the biggest and most important reason in deciding not to do a first look. Your wedding day is all about you and your boo- so if it's just not something you want, there's no pressure to do it!
WHAT ARE SOME ALTERNATIVES THEN...
You've decided a first look isn't right for you, but you're interested in still doing something with your boo before the ceremony. Here are some alternative options to a first look- ones where you won't see each other before the big aisle reveal!
With some coordination between your wedding parties, photographer or coordinator, hand written letters or special gifts you exchange with your boo is a great alternative to a first look! It can still shake off jitters, you get to feel connected to your person, and you get some photos of raw emotion pre-ceremony.
You can meet with your soon-to-be spouse before your ceremony, but rather than see each other, you use a wall, doorway, tree, etc. to block your view, but you can still hold hands. You can talk with your person, without seeing them! This still helps shake off nerves, gets you together before the ceremony and can allow for some pretty cool pictures!
