Making Your First Look Special
The first look is often an emotionally charged moment in a wedding day. It’s the first time your partner sees you in your full wedding look on your wedding day. But there are two common ways to go about doing your first look: before OR during the ceremony. You can make your first look special (correction: even more special) by choosing the right time and place.
So, which option will be the most meaningful?
The secret is that there is no right answer! What works for one couple may not work for another, but the beautiful part is that it’s YOUR day. So, let’s weigh the pros of each and figure out which option will make your first look special!
Pre-Ceremony First Look Pros
When my couples ask me about doing a ‘first look,’ they’re usually referring to a pre-ceremony first look, which is where the couple takes time before the ceremony to see each other for the first time. This mostly happens in private instead of as they walk down the aisle. Let’s look at the pros of taking this route.
More Privacy
Since the first look can be an emotionally charged moment, some people feel overwhelmed by the idea of experiencing those emotions in front of a crowd of people. It can even prevent them from truly enjoying the moment because they’re focused on everyone watching. Doing the first look before the ceremony with just the two of you is more private and can take that pressure away. This is a popular choice among more introverted people.
Time Alone with Your Partner
Wedding days are crazy by nature. There are tons of people and distractions around that you don’t really get time to take in the reason for the occasion (your partner) let alone have a private moment just the two of you. Having some quality time at the start of your wedding day is a beautiful way to start your life journey together, plus it’s essential for a happy marriage.
A first look before the ceremony gives you time to just enjoy your partner. In fact, it can be one of the only times you get alone throughout the day. While most of my couples use this time as a photo opportunity, if time allows, I try to give them a few moments alone before the ceremony.
Better for the Schedule
I hate to talk about the practicality of a romantic moment, but a pre-ceremony first look actually benefits your wedding day schedule. During this time, we usually take time for the formal bride and groom portraits. Otherwise, we would do them after the ceremony and family portraits.
However, after the ceremony, everyone is in a rush to get to the reception and start dinner/cocktail hour. Since your formal couple portraits will be done, you can take your family photos and then immediately start enjoying your reception. At this point in the evening, all you’ll want to do is relax, eat dinner, and dance the night away.
Ceremony First Look Pros
As the title suggests, the second type of first look is the one that happens during the walk down the aisle. The couple avoids seeing each other all day until this moment. Not only does it build up the suspension and the magnitude of the start of the ceremony, but there are plenty of other pros worth considering. Let’s take a look at them!
It Follows Tradition
Pre-ceremony first looks have grown in popularity in recent years, but it’s not considered ‘traditional’. As mentioned, the first look used to occur exclusively during the walk down the aisle. While some people couldn’t care less about tradition, others have always dreamed about a traditional wedding. For the latter, their wedding day wouldn’t be complete without that traditional first look during the walk down the aisle.
You Get to Share It With Your Friends and Family
No matter where it happens, the first look on your wedding day is magical and sets in the realization that you’re about to marry the person of your dreams. Since these are often highly emotional moments, doing a ceremony first look gives your guests a glimpse into the love and connection you share with your partner. You might even get some tears from the audience since it’s not uncommon for friends and family to get emotional during this moment as well. Sharing it with all of the people you love most in your lives can help make your first look special and is definitely worth considering.
It Feels More Natural
While a pre-ceremony first look takes the pressure off for some couples, it intensifies that pressure for others. A first look may feel ‘forced’ and ‘awkward’ when you feel like you’re doing it just for the camera, especially when you’re already a bit camera shy. When your partner walks down the aisle, it can feel more natural since it’s part of the ceremony and not just a photo op. It totally depends on your personalities!
It's Easy to Make Your First Look Special
It’s easy to make your first look special, because every first look is special in its own way. It’s the first time you get to take in your partner and feel all of the emotions that accompany such an important day. The key is to do it the way that will make it meaningful to you. Whether that’s keeping with tradition and sharing it with your friends and family or saving it just for you and your partner in a beautifully quiet moment.
Want help deciding what to do for your perfect first look? Reserve your date and let’s start brainstorming!