As promised, here’s my first installment of the Wedding Prep Series!  Today, I’m talking about the first look, and some factors that make it worth considering.  Enjoy this post and check back for another next Wednesday.

-XOXO

What is a first look?
Traditionally, a groom saw his bride for the first time when she walked down the aisle towards him during the ceremony. However, in recent years, it’s become more popular for the groom to see the bride for the first time before the ceremony. Usually, the photographers setup the groom in a private spot then move aside while the bride and groom see each other for the first time.

Deciding whether or not to do a first look for your wedding can be one of the toughest planning decisions you make. Some couples feel strongly about sticking to tradition, while others would rather have the logistical benefits the come with a first look.

Here are a few reasons why the first look is becoming so popular:

1) FRESH HAIR AND MAKEUP
Most of the time, the first look takes place right after you finish hair and makeup. Because of this, the groom gets to see you for the first time looking your absolute best. As the wedding day goes on, hair always relaxes a little, and makeup won’t stay pristine, so some brides like the idea of making a perfect first impression when their groom sees them for the first time.

2) PRIVACY
Some grooms don’t love the idea of having their personal feelings on display for all of their friends and relatives. They have deep feelings, but would prefer to experience them in private with just the woman they love. Some grooms are jokesters and would like to say exactly what they’re thinking in the moment to their bride and best friend. A first look creates a more comfortable environment with less pressure. The groom can be himself and react however he wants, and that’s worth a lot.

3) A MOMENT ALONE
Wedding days are full of parents, sisters, brothers, grandparents, best friends, nieces, and nephews. If you’re not intentional, you can end up having very little time to just be together. Wedding days are a celebration of the two of you, your relationship, and your commitment. A first look can be that moment alone for just the two of you, when no one else can interrupt or ask for anything. Other than the bride and groom portraits, this is the only time for you to be together without the wedding crowd.
4) TIME TOGETHER
A first looks increases the time spent together on the actual wedding day by hours. Typically, couples that do a first look see each other several hours earlier than couples who don’t. Couples who see each other for the first time walking down the aisle usually spend more time with the bridesmaids, groomsmen, and family.

5) EXCHANGE NOTES AND GIFTS

Rather than opening special gifts and notes separately, a first look gives you the opportunity to see their face as they open up your gift or note for the first time.

6) RELAXED SCHEDULE
One of the biggest benefits of the first look is that it allows you to plan a more relaxed schedule. Instead of trying to fit all the photos that require both the bride and groom into the cocktail hour, you can spread out the photos throughout the day. You can take more time for the bridal party early on and completely get those pictures out of the way early. No searching for the lost groomsman who went in search of a drink.

7) TIME AFTER THE CEREMONY
Because the first look decreases the amount of time needed for pictures after the ceremony, guests don’t have to wait as long for the reception to start.

8) INSURANCE IN CASE OF DISASTER
You never know when something is going to go wrong. By planning to have a few safety shots early on in the day, you insure yourself against ripped clothing, bad weather, stains, accidents, exhaustion, hair coming undone, and schedules that get behind even when we did everything right.

9) DOESN’T REPLACE WALKING DOWN THE AISLE

When you choose to do a first look, it doesn’t mean you won’t have your moment walking down the aisle.  It’s a special moment, whether or not you choose to have a first look.

In the end, I like for couples to make this decision based on what’s most important to them. In the next post, I will talk about some scheduling issues to consider if you decide not to do a first look.