What is a First Look?
Author: Jamie Quinn
- By Jamie Quinn
A “first look” is a wedding trend where the bride and groom see each other in their full wedding attire before the ceremony. The trend has taken off over the past couple of years but it seems to have couples divided on whether it’s a good idea or not. There are pros and cons to consider when deciding on what is best for you and your fiancé.
The Pros of a First Look
Helps to calm the nerves:
Seeing your partner before the ceremony can help calm pre-wedding jitters and anxiety. It allows you to share a quiet moment together before the spectacle begins, which can be incredibly comforting for those who aren’t necessarily looking forward to standing in front of an audience.
Private reactions:
Couples can often feel freer to express their truest emotions during a first look, which can make for genuine and heartfelt reactions captured by the photographer.
Flexible timeline:
A first look can make your wedding timeline more flexible, allowing for a smoother transition from the ceremony to the reception. This can be particularly beneficial if you want to attend your cocktail hour to mingle with your guests before dinner, or have more time for other activities.
More time for photos:
Doing a first look gives you more time for bridal party and couple photos before the ceremony. This means you get to take advantage of as much daylight as you can.
The Cons of a First Look
Sacrifices tradition:
A first look will eliminate the element of surprise when the bride walks down the aisle. Some couples prefer to uphold the tradition of not seeing each other before the ceremony as they feel it adds to the anticipation and emotional impact of the moment.
Your day starts earlier:
Planning a first look adds an extra element to the day which can lead to more stress and time constraints. Coordinating this additional moment can be a challenge, and any delays can affect the timeline of the entire day. If you are choosing to go straight into bridal party photos afterwards, the whole team will need to be ready much earlier which can cut out some of the getting ready fun of the morning.
The lighting might not be ideal:
Depending on your ceremony start time, the sun may not by the ideal position for flawless photos. The photographer might have to fight with harsh glare and shadows making it difficult to produce quality photos. This could mean you will need to take photos after the ceremony anyway, using up more precious time.
Is a First Look Right for You?
Choosing to have a first look or not is a very personal decision. Consider what is most important to you and your partner; ultimately it depends on your values, the kind of wedding experience you want, and your timing allowances. It can also help to chat to your photographer about your concerns, they will be able to provide advice on how it will impact the photography timeline.
Picture via Pinterest
A “first look” is a wedding trend where the bride and groom see each other in their full wedding attire before the ceremony. The trend has taken off over the past couple of years but it seems to have couples divided on whether it’s a good idea or not. There are pros and cons to consider when deciding on what is best for you and your fiancé.
The Pros of a First Look
Helps to calm the nerves:
Seeing your partner before the ceremony can help calm pre-wedding jitters and anxiety. It allows you to share a quiet moment together before the spectacle begins, which can be incredibly comforting for those who aren’t necessarily looking forward to standing in front of an audience.
Private reactions:
Couples can often feel freer to express their truest emotions during a first look, which can make for genuine and heartfelt reactions captured by the photographer.
Flexible timeline:
A first look can make your wedding timeline more flexible, allowing for a smoother transition from the ceremony to the reception. This can be particularly beneficial if you want to attend your cocktail hour to mingle with your guests before dinner, or have more time for other activities.
More time for photos:
Doing a first look gives you more time for bridal party and couple photos before the ceremony. This means you get to take advantage of as much daylight as you can.
The Cons of a First Look
Sacrifices tradition:
A first look will eliminate the element of surprise when the bride walks down the aisle. Some couples prefer to uphold the tradition of not seeing each other before the ceremony as they feel it adds to the anticipation and emotional impact of the moment.
Your day starts earlier:
Planning a first look adds an extra element to the day which can lead to more stress and time constraints. Coordinating this additional moment can be a challenge, and any delays can affect the timeline of the entire day. If you are choosing to go straight into bridal party photos afterwards, the whole team will need to be ready much earlier which can cut out some of the getting ready fun of the morning.
The lighting might not be ideal:
Depending on your ceremony start time, the sun may not by the ideal position for flawless photos. The photographer might have to fight with harsh glare and shadows making it difficult to produce quality photos. This could mean you will need to take photos after the ceremony anyway, using up more precious time.
Is a First Look Right for You?
Choosing to have a first look or not is a very personal decision. Consider what is most important to you and your partner; ultimately it depends on your values, the kind of wedding experience you want, and your timing allowances. It can also help to chat to your photographer about your concerns, they will be able to provide advice on how it will impact the photography timeline.
Picture via Pinterest
