WHY SHOULD YOU HAVE A FIRST LOOK | EDUCATION

Jennifer B Photography_6899

A new tradition / The First Look

     I LOVE WEDDINGS!!!  After nine years of photography business, my thoughts on first looks have evolved.  I absolutely love sitting down with my couples to discuss their wedding day!  There is so much excitement and so many decisions to be made.  It can be fun…but it can also be overwhelming.  When I first starting photographing weddings, I didn't even think to ask this question...then after a year I would wait until I started the discussion of timelines.  But now it is one of the questions I ask when I get an inquiry?  You may be thinking "Why?"  

    Well the answer is simple...I have grown to love them.  They are AMAZING!  For my wedding (almost 18 years ago) I was not even asked this…it was not even an option…I would not even know what a “first look” was.  Oh times have changed.  Some couples still look at me with big question marks but most know what a first look is and many have already come to a decision on whether or not they will do one by the time we talk.  

    The first-look photos are becoming more popular.  It’s pretty classic…the bride sneaking up behind the groom prior to the ceremony.  The groom, excited with the anticipation of seeing his love, standing…waiting…smiling.  It is priceless…the look on the groom's face as he sees his bride for the first time in her wedding dress (Ahh!!!).  They can be truly magical, where the couple shares an intimate moment…where emotions are high…where they embrace.  It makes for some beautiful moments.  But for some, seeing their husband- or bride-to-be before the ceremony is still a big no-go.  After all, isn’t it bad luck for the groom to see the bride on their wedding day?   Some would rather save the surprise of the first look for the walk down the aisle.

So if you're a bride-to-be, is it worth it?  As a wedding photographer, I would like to take a moment to weigh the pros and cons.  This is what I do with my couples as we are deciding on the flow of their day.  I would never try to force one or the other, but it is important to be informed in order to make the best decision.  I feel it’s important to note that about 80% of my couples decide on a first look.

Let’s begin with the pros…