Wedding Photography Advice: First Looks

The First Look. This is a relatively new trend in the wedding industry, and while it breaks tradition, it seems to be becoming more and more popular. Seeing your fiance for the first time before you walk down the aisle allows you two to have a quiet moment to yourselves, and from a photographer’s standpoint, it can be a real timesaver, helping with the overall wedding day timeline while allowing for some great photographs to be made. But it also breaks the traditional rule of the groom not seeing the bride before the wedding, and takes away the initial surprise of the bride coming down the aisle. Take some time and talk to your fiance about what you are comfortable with to decide if a first look is right for you as a couple, and take our tips into consideration.

1. Calm pre-wedding nerves. Having a private first look is a great way to ease some of those wedding day jitters and remind you both of your love for each other and why you are getting married. A wedding day is long, full of stress and will go by in a blur, so taking a few moments alone with your fiance will allow you to be in the moment and enjoy being with him/her before the rest of the day begins and you are surrounded by family and friends. 
2. Capture intimate moments. A first look gives your photographer the opportunity to capture another real moment between the bride and groom. A first look is more intimate than the traditional route of seeing each other coming down the aisle for the first time surrounded by your guests. A first look is often a more emotional moment when done in private and allows your photographer a unique chance to capture real emotion- and we’ve seen it all, from tears and crying to laughter and butt-pinching! 
3. You don’t actually have to see each other. If you are looking for some unique photos, but don’t want to spoil the surprise of the bride in her gown before the big moment of coming down the aisle, then you can modify the first look. Exchange gifts around a corner or doorway, and your photographer can still capture you both without the groom getting a peek at the bride. Just hearing your fiance’s voice or holding their hand can be enough to calm nerves as well. 
4. Save time. Doing a first look will allow you to get bridal portraits and maybe even some bridal party photos or family photos done before the ceremony. This could give you more time to travel to another location you may want to have bridal portraits done at- either after the ceremony or plan to do your first look at a separate location that may have special meaning to you as a couple. Having photos done before the ceremony might also allow you to get to your cocktail hour earlier, allowing you to have more time with your guests and more time to enjoy everything you spent months planning. 
5. It doesn’t have to be your fiance. Still not sold on the idea of a first look? Why not do one with mom or dad? The same rules apply, but this will give you a special moment with them before the wedding so you can thank them for all they’ve done and tell them how much this day means to you. This is a great memory for them to have before giving you away, and with all the guests you’ll have to greet at the reception, you may not have another quiet moment with mom and dad until after the wedding.