There are countless details to consider when planning your wedding day and not the least of which is whether or not to do a first look before your ceremony. It should come as no surprise that there are plenty of pros and cons to consider when it comes to this piece of your wedding day timeline. For some couples the prospect of seeing their significant other before walking down the aisle can really help to calm their nerves as well as offer them the opportunity to have a few intimate moments together all to themselves before guests begin to arrive. For others maybe the idea of seeing each other for the first time at the alter is something they have dreamed of for years and they do not envision it any other way.
As a wedding photographer based in Pensacola, Florida I have been blessed with countless opportunities to capture these moments for my wedding couples whether it be with or without the addition of a first. I have seen first hand the pros and cons to either approach and I wanted to shed some light onto this topic if you are currently in the process of building our your wedding timeline.
A first look is when a wedding couple sets aside time to see each other before the beginning of their wedding ceremony. This will, typically, happen after both the bride and groom and fully dressed and ready for their ceremony. Traditionally, couples would not see each other until they were at the altar. This practice comes from a time when many weddings were arranged. It was generally considered bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding. The wedding veil would also play a roll in this tradition, concealing the bride’s face until the final moment.
Today, while arranged marriages are no longer the norm, some couples still decide to stick with tradition and not see each other before their ceremony. That being said, it is becoming increasing popular for a wedding couple to plan a first look instead of sticking with tradition.
These days first looks are not just for the bride and groom. Many brides are deciding to do first looks with the parents, siblings or bridesmaids.
Often times a first look with the brides father is even more emotional than with the groom.
As a wedding photographer I do my best to capture to genuine emotion of these moments. Whenever possible I also like to include a different perspective to the first look. One way to do this is to utilize a drone to show a different vantage point.
Sometimes, while photographing a wedding day, an unplanned first look comes together. I love capturing the moments of a wedding day as they happen. It makes these surprise moments that much more special.
A second shooter is an assistant photographer who aids the lead photographer in capturing the events of the day. Often overlooked, the addition of a second shooter goes a long way to document ever aspect of this special day. During a first look the majority of the attention, naturally, falls on the groom. By adding a second shooter, now you can both individual’s reactions in that moment. The results can very underrated.
Do not forget to check your surroundings during a first look. Of course the wedding couple, likely, wants this moment to be private. Sometimes, however, close family and friends cannot help themselves from getting in a little sneak peek. Be ready to capture those moments.
By the end of your wedding day there will have been thousands of decisions that were made and not the least of which will be whether or not to have a first look. Do what feels right to you! There is no right or wrong answer it is all a matter of how you want your day to flow and how you would like to capture those timeless moments.
If you are planning your wedding, allow me to say congratulations! Lets discuss your wedding photography options together. Lets Connect! You can also find me on The Knot.
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