The First Look - Photographer Wisdom
Southern Illinois Wedding Photographer
The first look....it's the most common question and topic that I have with my brides. To look or not to look...that is the question.
About 85% of the weddings that I shoot every year DO a first look and I can tell you..those brides are usually more chill and have a better overall feeling afterwards about their wedding.
This is YOUR wedding...and I am going to support you no matter what decision you make, But below I am going to talk about the reasons why First Looks make your wedding day more memorable, easier, less stressed and just a great day.
First and foremost....you get rid of the nerves. I have some grooms that initially weren’t a fan of the first look....but afterwards admitted to being SO much more relaxed and ready for the ceremony. On the morning of your wedding you are running around getting your hair and makeup done and finalizing details and the stress and anticipation can kind of weigh on you....but when that first look happens...all of it falls away.
You’re investing a lot into your wedding photography. With a first look, you’ll receive 40% MORE portraits of the two of you...and those are the images you will decorate your first home with! With a first look, you make the most out of this large investment and get the most for your money.
You actually get intimate time on your wedding day with your man. Most brides don’t realize that when you come down the aisle and totally SHOCK him with your gorgeous-ness....he can’t even tell you how amazing you look. He can’t touch you, embrace you or even SPEAK to you. You have to wait until 40 minutes later when the ceremony is over for him to react and tell you how amazing you look. And after 40 minutes of the ceremony, the reaction isn’t the same as the initial first glance.
First looks allow you to extend your wedding day. Normally the wedding day would start when you come down the aisle, then the ceremony would end, you would rush through portraits so that you’re not late for the introductions and then it’s reception time. With the first look, your wedding day is extended by almost 3 hours. Instead of being rushed for your bridal party portraits....you actually get to enjoy them and have fun hanging out with your BEST friends on your wedding day. The WHOLE first half of my clients wedding albums are filled with just images from this time together before the ceremony. And let me be real with you for a minute....after the ceremony...you are DONE. You're over it. You're tired, you're hungry, you're thirsty, you're ready to go to the reception and party and be done with it all. Doing a first look makes it so that you can go straight from the ceremony to the reception!! That's kind of a big deal!
The first look allows you to be TOGETHER and alone on your wedding day. Not only is it and intimate moment for just the two of you it’s pretty much your only time to be alone.... the whole day! You will cry and laugh and cry some more and that puts you in the PERFECT mood for romantic portraits. Normally portraits are a little rushed after the family formals and it can be hard to really get back into that “lovey dovey” mode...especially with family around. When you have just shared your first look, you’re ready to love on each other and I always capture some super sweet images during those moments.
SIDE NOTE: Brides, If you have never seen your man cry or get emotional, you can’t expect him to be overly emotional on your wedding day. Some guys just embrace their brides and never cry...and thats OK. Some guys show very little emotion when his bride is coming down the aisle and that’s ok too. Just enjoy this amazing day and try not to put any expectations on him. :)
Side not to the side note.....If you are still not sure about the first look....just notice the grooms smiles in the images below. The first look is honestly where I will get the MOST genuinely awesome smiles out of the groom...well...both of you actually. LOL
I have created a wedding experience magazine that talks about ALL of the important aspects of a wedding day and gives you a TON of advice for planning your day....Click this link to sign up and receive a link with that magazine attached :)
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