The Benefits of Doing a “First Look” on Your Wedding Day.

I love when couples choose to do a “first look” on their wedding day.  For those of you that aren’t familiar, a first look is when a bride and groom arrange a time before the ceremony to see each other.  This is becoming increasingly popular for a number of reasons.  Even though I am telling you reasons why I love the first look, I encourage each couple to do what they want to do - whatever they envision their special day to be like is most important!

It’s so nice to be able to finish most - if not all of the portraits before the ceremony.  We can usually accomplish all of the bride and groom as well as the wedding party portraits while your hair and make-up is fresh and ready to go.  For the portrait loving bride, we can even have time to get in more pictures after the ceremony - without that rushed feeling that can happen sometimes in the excitement after the ceremony and during the bustle of family portraits.  I still recommend getting the majority of the family formals done after the ceremony.  It is much easier than key family members having to arrive early - or to a different location - which is often the case.  We can, however, get many done before hand with the parents of the bride and groom because they are generally present at the getting ready location too.

The bride and groom usually like how relaxed the rest of the day seems to go when they have that “private” moment together before the ceremony. It gives them a chance to see and talk to each other in an intimate moment that is otherwise hard to do in front of a church full of your friends and family.  It really helps to ease the nerves too - and those that have done it said that it didn’t take away from that iconic moment when the bride walks down the isle. 

Lastly, the couple is able to get to the reception and enjoy their guests and the party much sooner than if they had to get the majority of their portraits done after the ceremony and family pictures.  I still like to steal the bride and groom outside and grab a few more shots during the “golden hour” at sunset as well.  So all and all it gives the bride and groom a great gallery of wedding images in the end and more time to enjoy the day!