What is a First Look?

Let’s talk about first looks, and what they are and how they effect your wedding day,

Starting with the questions What is a first look? and its really what it sounds like. A first look is the first look you have with your partner on your wedding day. It is often a private moment for the two of you to take and show each other your wedding day looks and to just take a minute to soak it all in. Its a newer wedding tradition that has started that helps couples in a couple ways.

There are some pros and cons to doing first looks. First look are awesome for couples who what a private moment. Doing a first look takes the pressure off to have a reaction (or not have a reaction) in front of all your family and friends. It gives you guys time to just soak in each other and the day. And it allows you to spend more time with each other on your wedding day. If you choose not to do a first look and wait until the ceremony to see each other, that’s almost half your day without seeing the person you are marrying! Let’s just think about it a little, most ceremonies start in the afternoon. And once you leave to go get ready in the morning you won’t see your person from the time you start getting ready to late afternoon. Then you really won’t be able to have a conversation with them until after your ceremony, or not even until the reception sometimes. Personally, that’s a long time to not talk to your person! Doing a first look allows you to spend more time with your person and to actually talk without chaos around you. Its quiet, and private and you can take as much time as you need to just be present and enjoy the special moments. Also, because this is a private moment, its a good time to read little letters to each other, say private vows or just talk and relax. Bonus is you do not have to put on an act so people don’t judge you when your standing on the alter. You can just feel what you want to feel. I know my fiancé is not a crier, and society puts pressure on crying at the end of the aisle when seeing the bride, so we are opting for a first look so he doesn’t have to feel bad for not reacting how people want him to react. And we will be allowed to just feel what we feel and be ourselves in front of each other. And let’s be honest, who wants to cry in front of a ton of people?

There are timeline benefits to doing a first look as well, when you do a first look it allows you to get all of your pictures done BEFORE the ceremony. Which means afterwards, no more posing, no more smiling for the camera, so after the ceremony you can just relax and enjoy the wedding. (but maybe sneak out for sunset portraits??) Timelines that include a first look also can be made shorter, so if you’re on a budget, doing a first look could potentially even save you some money because your photographer can do everything before hand and you won’t have to have them stay later to get your bridal, bridal party and family photos done after the ceremony. Which in turn, will save some time and potentially save some money. Plus if you don’t have to take pictures after ceremony, you get to go eat sooner. And who doesn’t love food.

Now there can be some downsides to doing a first look. If you are someone who realllllyy loves tradition, and wants to have that first look as your coming down the aisle, go for it! It is still just as magical! If you are someone who is not a huge fan of pictures and would rather space them out throughout the day. Then a traditional timeline might be the best fit for you. If you are a crier and you get emotional, maybe refrain from a first look so that you don’t have to fix your hair and makeup before the ceremony. First looks can also feel a little awkward for some people so if that’s the case maybe it isn’t what you want to do for your day. First look or not your still marrying the love of your life and all that matters is that you do what you want on your wedding day. Just trust your gut, if it tells you to do a first look go for it, or if its really telling you to not do one, then don’t. Just do what makes your heart happy :)

There are even some alternatives to a first look if you still want that private moment on your wedding day. Some couples do a first touch. A first touch is where you hide around a corner, behind a door, or blindfold yourselves so that you can take a moment to hold hands, and just talk. These moments are just as sweet and special and still give you a chance to talk before your ceremony. Some couples write letters to each other for this moment, some say a little prayer or read private vows. And some just talk about whatever it is they want too. Its a really sweet alternative to doing a first look and still allows you to have a private moment to spend time with each other. (plus they always make me cry like a baby)

The most important thing is to remember that your wedding day is about you guys, so do what makes you happy and do what you want on your day, whether it be a first look in private or down the aisle. :)