I get asked this all the time... "Should we do a first look, or should we wait to see each other when I walk down the isle for the first time?" Actually, I have two feelings about it. My “photographer” feelings, and my “personal”
feelings......
First, the photographer:
Doing a "First Look" is awesome!!!! This way, you get all of
your photos done before the wedding, including the family photos, wedding party
photos, and B&G, so after the ceremony you can go straight into the
reception and no waiting for your guests.
(Occasionally I may still take about 15 minutes with the B&G for
some sunset photos before they are formally introduced).
Another great thing about the “first look” is
it's totally intimate (other than the fact that I'm click-click-clicking away
around you!) But really, it's just the
two of you, and he gets to REALLY look at you, and hug you, and tell you how
beautiful you look without anyone else around.
It's also great if you are generally a nervous or emotional person. You get to have that moment with each other,
alone. Then, when you really walk down
the isle you are much less nervous, and you get to really enjoy the moment of
walking down the isle. Recently I had a
couple do a “first look” and the bride STILL cried as she walked down the isle. You still get that excited feeling of walking down
the isle...because it's a "Okay, this is it!!!" feeling and nothing
takes away from that! I had one couple
read informal vows to each other when they did their "first look." It was totally intimate and emotional. I mean, SUPER sweet! And the groom stopped in the middle of
reading and looked at his bride and said, "This is SOOO much better than
doing it in front of everyone!"
YAY! It's just so much more
intimate.
And especially in the late
fall and winter, a “first look” is usually the best option because unless you
have your ceremony at 3p you are going to lose precious sunlight early. And I always tell the bride, you just spent
thousands of dollars to book a gorgeous venue with rose gardens and beautiful
landscapes, and you paid for a great photographer to take epic photos. Let's face it, even with the best cameras,
flashes and low light photography experience, you just don't get the drama and
variety that you do if you have natural sunlight. The pictures will still be good, but you are
much more limited with what we can do.
Last awesome thing about the first look, LOTS and LOTS of pictures!!! I
get to spend WAY more time with the bride and groom and we are much less
rushed. After the ceremony, most couples
are tired and pretty much ready to get the party started, so even as much as
they want good photos... ususally after about 20 mins or so they are ready to
be finished. With a first look I
typically spend about 30 or 45 mins with the B&G!
Okay, so those are my “photog” feelings, now my personal
feelings: The bride thinks about her wedding her entire life! The dress, the
shoes, the cake, the RING!!! The groom most likely didn't spend as much time in
his life thinking about the wedding in his early bachelorhood, but surely when
he decided to pop the question, he imagined the sight of you walking down the
isle and seeing you for the first time in that white gown, coming towards HIM
to be his wife. Should we take that away
from him?????
So, I always leave the decision up to the couple. I always try to let them know the pros and
cons, but I never will try to sway anyone one way or the other because I want them
both to be entirely happy with their decision!! And honestly... I can get awesome pictures either way!!! :D
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