“Are you going to do a first look?”
This question must be asked to brides at least twenty times leading up to the wedding day. Everyone wants to know if they’ll see the groom’s reaction to the bride walking down the aisle, sharing his emotions in real time, feeling what he’s feeling. There is no right or wrong when it comes to deciding for or against a first look – it really comes down to what you want as a couple.
Couples often desire a first look for multiple reasons, one of them being the intimacy the first look brings. Having a moment just between the bride and groom is undoubtedly a special part of the wedding day, because it is likely one of the only moments during the event you’ll share between just the two of you. For that reason, it ends up being a private moment that many couples will opt in for. On the flip side, the couple may want to share the moment of seeing each other for the first time with their bridal party, family and guests. This moment creates great joy for those watching, and for this reason many couples choose to include their loved ones.
As far as photos go, couples sometimes feel like the first look is better because of all the photos that can be taken before the ceremony. The first look is perfect for the couple that wants to be a part of cocktail hour or the couple who may not even desire a cocktail hour at all. Yet, for those couples who desire a cocktail hour but do not mind taking portraits in the midst of it, a first look does not have to be a priority.
Above all else, the first look should be nobody’s decision but the couple’s. There are many friends and family members who undoubtedly want to weigh in about your choice (because they want to see the unveiling of the bride, of course!), but at the end of the day it’s up to you. And whichever choice you make, your planner and photographer will work together to iron out all the small details – no need to fear!
