While we never want you to feel pressured into doing a first look, we do want to share the many benefits of having one and the reasons we, and many other couples are loving this new tradition.
Before we begin, let’s address the elephant in the room. Yes, having a first look does not follow the old tradition of the bride and groom not seeing each other before the ceremony. Some couples wish to honor the old traditions and others may be dismissing a first look because they think it will spoil the ceremony moment of seeing each other for the first time down the aisle. If this is less about tradition and more about preserving the reaction of your guy as you walk down the aisle, we encourage you to consider a first look!
While certainly wonderful and exciting, your wedding day will inevitably be busy and likely a bit stressful for both you and your groom. The hours leading up to the ceremony will be full of preparations and the pressure to look your best. By the time the ceremony starts, the butterflies are a fluttering and your normally bombproof guy is sweating through his tux while he expectantly stands in front of your guests. It’s no wonder we see many grooms staring at their toes instead of watching their lovely bride walk towards them!
Now back up a couple hours and picture a quiet, secluded location and your guy waiting patiently for you to arrive. He is excited and nervous as he waits for you, but because he is not in front of guests, he can let his guard down and enjoy the moment. You walk softly to him as he keeps his back turned and with a gentle touch he swings around to see you. From this close, you can see all the love and joy he feels for you and the awe that you said “yes’! This is the reaction you have spent months planning for and a lifetime dreaming about!
From a discreet distance, we can capture your unguarded moment of love. A first look is for you to celebrate the union that is about to be and may be the only moment alone to do so the entire day! We feel so honored to photograph and share the experience with you. This also gives us time to photograph the two of you before you head back to your guests and your event really kicks off.
Still worried you will miss out on your groom’s reaction as you walk down the aisle? Rest assured that we feel a first look actually helps ease your groom’s stress. In return, you should see a confident and smiling face waiting for you instead of the top of his head as he stares at his shiny shoes too nervous to look up. Skip the veil at the first look and keep it for the ceremony and he will be seeing you all over again for the first time!
Why we love a First Look:
- A first look can help calm the nerves, especially the groom’s
- This will likely be the ONLY time alone the entire day
- A first look is a quiet place and time for your emotions to be shared intimately and unguarded
- It give us time to photograph more images of just you two… and those are the images you decorate your house with
A first look is one of our favorite wedding moments to photograph and we hope we have encouraged you to consider one on your wedding day!
Happy Planning!
Sharon and Laura
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