The First Look
AND WHY WE'RE ALL Dying FOR YOU TO DO IT
The first look is an amazing part of the wedding day! It’s a romantic addition to your celebration that not only adds to the experience but also reduces stress. It is very common for couples to be unsure about this tradition- so having the opportunity to speak about it here, as I always do with my clients, will hopefully illuminate the benefits. I will never push this on my couples and I will always respect their choice- but the fact that you're reading this tells me that your wedding day portraits are important to you! So let's talk about it!
A first look is the non-traditional decision to see each other before the ceremony. Some couples love “traditions”.... but what a bride REALLY wants when it comes to her partner seeing her for the first time, is a REACTION. Those who are not interested in a First Look usually think that by seeing each other beforehand, they will lose part of that reaction. They also assume that it will not be as emotional or as intimate as it would be if they were coming down the aisle. What I have found, is that not only does it pack just as much punch emotionally, it also allows you to get the most out of your day.
WHY IT'S WORTH IT
1
You’re investing a lot into your wedding photography. With a first look, you’ll receive 40% MORE portraits of the two of you... and those are the images you will decorate your first home with! With a first look, you make the most out of this large investment and get the most for your money.
2
You actually get to have intimate time on your wedding day with your partner. Most brides don’t realize that when you come down the aisle and totally SHOCK him with your gorgeous-ness... he can’t even tell you how amazing you look. He can’t touch you, embrace you or even SPEAK to you. You have to wait until 30 minutes later when the ceremony is over for him to react and tell you how amazing you look. And after 30 minutes of the ceremony, the reaction isn’t the same as the initial first glance.
40% More Portraits
Enjoy the Surprise Freely
3
Technology
It's easy to visualize that moment in your mind when you take your first step into the isle, you can see your love waiting for you at the end...you hold on to Dad's arm a little tighter...you take a few more jittery steps...you can't wait to see his face when he sees you...he raises his eyes to meet yours and BAM! Great Aunt Millie from Northern California in her sun hat jumps into the isle with her 12inch IPad just in time to block his view and suck the romance right out of your moment...(not kidding). I'm not saying it happens every time, but even with an unplugged ceremony, it happens WAY too often. With the quick and accessible growth in technology, your walk is becoming compromised BUT that also means that through that technology, we have the ability to share your First Look photos with all of your guests!
4
First Looks allow you to extend your wedding day. Normally the wedding day would start when you come down the aisle, then the ceremony would end, you would rush through portraits so that you’re not late for the introductions and then it’s reception time. With a first look, your wedding day is extended by almost 3 hours! Instead of being rushed for your bridal party portraits, you actually get to enjoy them and have fun hanging out with your BEST friends on your wedding day. The WHOLE first half of my client’s wedding albums are filled with images just from this time together before the ceremony.
Extend Your Day by Hours
5
First Looks allow you to be TOGETHER and alone on your wedding day. You'll cry and laugh and cry some more... and then that will put you in the PERFECT mood for romantic portraits. Normally portraits are a little rushed after the family formals, and it can be hard to really get back into that “lovey dovey” mode.... especially with family around! When you have just shared your first look, you’re READY to love on each other, and I always capture some super sweet images during those moments! Plus, time flies on your wedding day! Its schedule, its hustle and bustle, its one thing to the next- this is your chance to take a breath, slow down... and just be.
Your Only Alone Time
6
You get rid of your nerves! I’d say, literally 1/2 of my couples who have decided to do a first look, the grooms were not fans of it at first. However, because they have never experienced their wedding day before, they didn’t know how nerve racking it can be. I have testimonials from so many grooms who initially weren’t a fan of the first look... but afterwards they admitted to being SO much more relaxed and ready for the ceremony!
Diminishes Nerves
