Should you do a first look on your wedding day? Here’s why we say “yes!”

First looks, to some it’s a really great way to see your loved one right before the day starts. To others, it violates a sacred tradition of not seeing the bride until she’s at the altar. This always strikes lively debate for couples who disagree. I hope that this article will show you three reasons why I would recommend a first look from a photographer/videographer’s perspective!

Reason 1: More opportunities to shoot with you!

The first reason why I would recommend a first look is that this gives you more photos of you and your loved one during your big day. While it is true that you are inviting a bunch of people and there’s all the hustle and bustle, the truth is that this is really about your love story and how everyone is coming to witness this love story. The day is focused around you!

So from a hybrid wedding shooter’s perspective, this adds about another 30 minutes of photos and video that we can use to craft the story of your day. I can’t begin to describe how nicely a first look was able to be crafted into the wedding highlight video. In addition, this is probably really important especially if you are doing a processional where both the bride and groom are walking down together. Untraditional? Maybe, but at the end of the day, you and your loved one are the ones establishing traditions for you both!

We love capturing the raw emotion of seeing your loved one for the first time!

Reason 2: All the emotions!

I can’t begin to tell you how many emotions flow out in a first look! The moment when a groom sees his bride for the first time in the dress, with her hair done up, and makeup that matches the gorgeous occasion makes most, if not all, grown men cry! It’s such a beautiful moment (and potentially embarrassing for the man, especially if he’s not used to showing his soft side!) that it may be sometimes wiser to do this in a more intimate setting. That way the couple are able to spend time privately without all eyes being on them.

From my perspective, this is also nice because we normally choose not only a private location, but a picturesque location where photo and video can tell that story in a beautiful way! The moment of the first look is usually passed with some time for the couple to have truly private time where we give the couple some space to just enjoy. It’s usually there where you and your loved one are able to really soak in the moment and talk. This moment is usually one where couples cherish this moment or reprise before they move on to the rest of the festivities!

Reason 3: You get to remember this moment for a lifetime!

I tell this to every couple, your wedding day literally is a day that flies by in an instant. Speaking of personal experience, I can’t remember much of my wedding day, but whenever I look through the pictures of me and my wife’s own wedding, I am instantly brought back to those moments. Getting a first look is a great way of capturing those emotions and ensuring that you never lose them when you flip through your album or watch the YouTube video of your wedding years later!

I hope you enjoyed this article! If you’re interested doing photo and video with us, please contact us - we would love to write your love story with you!