First looks have become a dying tradition but one that some couples want to keep alive. This post will help you weigh out the pros and cons of each to help you make your decision on if you should do a first look or not.
Reasons to Do A First Look
Long gone are the days that people say seeing each other on your wedding day is bad luck. First looks have gotten very popular and for good reason.
1. Help Ease Anxiety
Seeing your soon to be spouse on the morning of your wedding will certainly help to ease your nerves. Wedding jitters are for real. You’ve been waiting your whole life for this day and planned everything so carefully and meticulously for a year or more. The day is finally here and you want everything to go perfectly. Being anxious is just part of the process. For some, the spotlight of walking down the aisle can be nerve-wracking. Seeing your person on a day filled with anxiety will surely help calm you down.
2. Share an Intimate Moment
By doing a first look, you’ll have the chance to have an intimate moment with each other before the ceremony. Some couples are private and prefer to share the moment of seeing each other on their wedding day alone-sort of. Your photographers and videographers will likely be there but it’ll make for great photos. Enjoy an intimate moment together before you’re surrounded by your loved ones.
3. More Time for Photos
In addition to getting this intimate moment captured by your photographer, your photographer will also prefer you do a first look. It gives them more opportunities for bride and groom shots before the chaos of scheduled pictures after the ceremony and before the sun sets. Depending on the time of year, you could be rushing to get photos in before the sun sets. Our wedding was in the Fall, the week after daylight savings so we were limited for daylight. Shout out to our amazing photographers that made it work.
4. Enjoy Cocktail Hour
You can get all your couple shots out of the way so you can enjoy cocktail hour together. Most of your guests have traveled far to be there for your wedding and this is the first time in your life that all of your favorite people are in one place at the same time. Doing a first look might allow you to spend a little bit more time with them.
Reasons To Not Do a First Look
My favorite part of our wedding day was seeing my husband’s tears and genuine reaction as I walked down the aisle. It was a moment I’ll never forget and the most memorable part of our day. We stand by our decision to skip the first look.
1. Keep the Anticipation & Tradition Alive
Some people love traditions… I’m some people. This was one tradition my husband and I wanting to keep. The anticipation for this day has already been building, you may as well just wait for the actual moment to see each other in the moment, walking down the aisle. To the argument that it’s anxiety provoking for some, when the moment comes, you’ll truly lock eyes with each other and nothing else will matter. At least for me it did. It makes more a more emotional experience.
2. Get Ready For The Water Works
This is sort of along the line of building up the anticipation. Waiting to see each other for the first time on your wedding day at the altar is bound to be emotional. It’s such a genuine reaction. Let the moment be as genuine as it can be. You probably won’t regret it. Seeing my groom gushing at the altar will forever be my favorite memory. I had literal goosebumps at the altar.
3. Share This Moment With Your Guests
You invited your closest friends and family to bear witness to one of the most important days of your lives. Let them be present for this moment with you. We were overjoyed to share our love, vows, and wedding moments with our guests. That’s why you invited them after all.
A fun alternative to a first look is a first touch. Stand back to back behind a door, holding hands. Write each other a letter the night before and read it together. Have your photographer capture the moment.
Ultimately, it’s your decision whether or not to do a first look. My job is to help you weigh your options. Whatever you decide, make sure you’re both in agreement and the decision is really what you want.