WhoooooWeeeeee is this one a hot topic on wedding forums! I’m going to preface this post with “not everyone is going to agree with me, and that’s okay.” I give advice based on 20 years of experience and over 200 weddings. It’s food for thought, not anything I force a client to do.
If you are on the fence about doing or not doing a first look, here’s why I’m a HUGE fan:
- First and foremost, this might be the only private time you and your future spouse get alone on your wedding day.
- When dozens of eyes are NOT watching, I find that couples are much more likely to be emotional and share private words or thoughts, that they may be too hesitant to share in front of others.
- When guests are standing, the bride walking down the aisle may be slightly blocked from their fiancé’s view for a few moments. During a first look, no one is in the way, and you can select the setting of your choice.
- Since a first look happens before any other photos and the ceremony, this is when hair and makeup are freshest. Humidity hasn’t caused your curls to drop. Heat hasn’t caused sweat to streak your foundation. Not to mention, there is no time to sit in suits, tuxes or dresses and wrinkle them before photos. Get dressed and head on out for the reveal you’ll never forget! Then bring out the wedding party and get those group shots done while everyone is looking pristine and the sweat stains haven’t discolored your bridesmaids dressed around the armpits.
- If for any reason your photography package does not include a second shooter, you’re going to have to decide which moment is more important for your photographer to capture. They can’t be at the head of the aisle capturing the bride walking down AND positioned to capture their fiancé’s face, at the same time. You’ll either need to make the decision or pay to add a second shooter if one is not included.
- Want to do photos at a different location? Maybe a nearby park or garden? Doing a first look beforehand allows for more time for travel and photos to be taken, without the rush of needing to get back for the reception (or worse, getting stuck in traffic and being extremely late, leaving guests hungry and irritated).
- If planning to do all photos between the ceremony and reception, consider the number of people that will want to try to talk to you, hug you, and congratulate you before you can break away for photos. This usually adds on several minutes that weren’t accounted for on your timeline. You will also likely have Aunt Carla or other wedding guests trying to take photos on her phone, in the way of your photographer (everyone wants to be the first to post photos!)
- If all photos are being done between the ceremony and reception, you’ll need to consider what your guests will be doing during that time. Will drinks be available? Will appetizers be served? Does your open bar package only offer 4 hours and you’re using one hour (or more) while you have photos done? The less photos in between equate to less time before dinner is served, which means a cost savings on drinks and appetizers to keep people occupied.
It breaks my heart to see wedding guests depart right after dinner because they waited 2 hours while the wedding party took photos, appetizers ran out within the first 10 minutes, and dinner wasn’t served until nearly 8pm. Yes, I’ve witnessed this happen more than a handful of times. You’ve worked tooooooo hard planning this beautiful day.
Again, just food for thought.
Helping YOU say ‘I-DO’,
Your WedUcator