There are a lot of details to think about when you’re planning a wedding, and we could literally do a whole article on ALL of them (we love lightning rounds! This or that – it’s just so much fun!). But one of our absolute favorite ‘should we, shouldn’t we’ considerations is about first looks. You probably already know what they are, because #engaged, but if you aren’t familiar with the term, we’ll break it down for you. A first look, defined = The moment where a couple sees each other for the first time, before the ceremony. Actually, it can happen between the couple, the bride and her bridesmaids, or the bride and her father, and it’s not mutually exclusive, either; you can opt for one or ALL of the debut scenarios on your own special day.
Before we touch on all the reasons we’re #teamtotally for first looks, though, we’ll say that the final game play lies in your hands only. Tradition and timing are two of the biggest things influencing the first look decision, and they’re solid and completely understandable points. If the two of you have been thinking about seeing each other for the first time at the altar for as long as you’ve imagined what your wedding day would look like, then don’t derail your dreams, tradition is a big deal and nothing to compromise on. Just know that if timing is a chief concern of yours (and here we’re talking about needing to push up your ‘ready for photos’ time check), your photographer will 100 percent help you troubleshoot all of the trickiest ticks in your timeline. You’ll have support no matter what you sign up for – from your family, your vendor team, and your hype squad – so, if you’re still weighing your options, just take a look at these photos and try to envision yourselves in these beautiful soulmates’ shoes.
If it feels good to you, then get ready to cheese cuties 📷! With a first look, you’ll have the opportunity to…
Before long, your guests will be lovingly fixating on your fashion at the ceremony (your love and vows, too, of course – but they’ll also be checking out your couture, for sure), but if you do a first look, you’ll get to have your partner see the look you’ve spent so much time putting together before everyone else does. You can have all of the emotions, you can be silly, and you can do it without everyone watching.
Your groom can appreciate the first look, too, because he knows all eyes will be on you when you’re walking down that aisle (brides just have that magnetism, it’s real) – this is his time to shine – and all he wants to do is impress you with his lewk!
Handwritten vows are so beautiful and enchanting, as are the sentiments that end up in the cards that you and your spouse-to-be might write to each other (which of course can stay between the two of you!). And a first look allows you to have that special ‘show and tell’ time together. You can even decide together if there are any phrases or anecdotes that you’d like to keep just for the two of you; or, conversely, hear each other’s vows and then decide to do a mashup of the best prose at the actual ceremony.
The first time you see your bride or groom-to-be, in person, will – indefinitely – evoke the most natural and authentic reactions: these are the ones that translate into photo gold. The tears, the gasps, the light as a feather touches, and the literal choking up that can ensue in your minutes-to-newlywed meeting are so touching and tender, but they can be tempered if you seize up in front of an audience. Stealing away for a first-look session provides the perfect palette cleanser for you to experience all of the big emotions, take in each other’s wedding wardrobe, and be yourselves before you step into your biggest roles yet.
And that obviously calls for a nice send off toast – to the titles (bride and groom) that will be replaced with Mr. & Mrs. soon enough!