To Look or Not To Look?
It's all falling in place, you have your venue, your caterer, floral, photographer and your DJ. A lot of stress is now off your shoulders and now you are planning what your big day’s schedule will actually look like. You are smart so you’re working with your vendors and wedding coordinators to make it as efficient and streamlined as possible. Then here comes a very important question. “Do you plan on doing a first look?”
For many years in the past it was considered “bad luck” to see the bride before the ceremony, but as many traditions do, this idea has shifted.
If you are one of the many people who have zero idea what a first look is, it is a small piece of time the couple arranges to see each other before the beginning of the wedding ceremony.
This usually is done in a beautiful, and romantic way so the couple can have a moment alone before being tossed into the crowd of people who are there to celebrate their union.
Of course as with everything there are PROs and CONs, and a first look is not for every couple even if it is an intimate moment to have captured by your photographer and videographer.
PRO
It can help ease the nerves of both the Bride and the Groom.
Suspense builds for both the groom and bride as they ready for their day. She wonders if he is going to be impressed by all of her beauty. Meanwhile he wonders if he is going to be able to measure up to her vision and even more he wonders if he will cry when he sees her.
It can be horribly nerve racking waiting for each others response. This can be reason alone for some couples to do a first look, to get all of those nerves and wiggles out before the walk down the aisle ever begins.
CON
You will have to get ready a bit earlier than normal.
In a “normal” wedding the bride may not finish getting ready until 20 minutes beforehand and the groom probably won’t START getting ready until then.
When planning on doing a first look the bride and groom will want to be done getting ready about 30 minutes to an hour or so before the ceremony. That way there is no rush for the bride and groom to finish their first look with each other.
PRO
With a first look, you can get the portrait session out of the way early.
For wedding photographers, we love the portrait sessions. It is probably our favorite part of the day, posing and taking the photos that everyone will print off and have on their fireplaces or walls of their homes.
Doing a first look can open the possibility of doing your wedding portraits before the ceremony instead of afterwards. If a bride and groom do their first look an hour before the ceremony that can leave 30 minutes or so of time for the photographer to take those photos before getting them back for the ceremony.
(This probably won’t stop the photographer from stealing you away for another 15 minutes for those sunset photos as well though!)
CON
Lighting isn't always the best in the most ideal spots for first looks.
Logistically the best place to take photos is somewhere where the light is not too harsh, but is bright enough that your photographer won’t have to crank their iso up too high. For some venues the best/ most romantic place to have a first look is in direct sunlight or a beautiful, but dimly lit hallway.
Whatever photographer you hire, will know how to handle these situations to make the best of them, but there will usually be a little give and take that has to happen.
To finish on a strong note our last PRO
PRO
It captures a strong moment of intimacy together.
Many men, even the strong ones, tear up and burst with emotions at the sight of their woman dressed in white looking as beautiful as an angle.
These memories are never forgotten, especially if they are captured in photos and on video.
If you are interested in booking photographers, videographers or both for your wedding, follow the social media links below and send us a message on facebook or instagram, or send us a message on the Contact tab.
