A “First Look” can be a very special moment. Should you have a “First Look” on your wedding day? There are several pro’s and con’s to consider. Wedding photographers and wedding planners have reasons that might encourage you to do a “First Look”. Your family and friends might have reasons they tell you that do NOT support doing a “First Look”. It boils down to your personal preferences, like so many other decisions you make regarding your wedding day.
The Venue at Murphy Lane, in Newnan, GA, is a wedding and special events venue. Hosting luxury weddings at our venue gives us an unbiased perspective on whether you should have a “First Look” or not. We often share our thoughts based on the experience we have as venue owners. The thought process of having a “First Look” or not is similar whether you are having a wedding at an outdoor wedding venue in the Atlanta area like Murphy Lane or any other wedding venue. Should you have a “First Look”? Let’s dig a little deeper.
Wedding Day Traditions
Lots of people like to stick with what they know and what they are familiar with. There is a wedding day tradition that a couple should not see each other on their wedding day until the beginning of the wedding ceremony. There is even the suggestion that seeing each other before the ceremony is bad luck! Who needs that? You might hear people who say a bride and groom should not see each other before the ceremony say, “It’s tradition!” or “It’s just wrong!” Or maybe, “That’s the way it’s always been and, by golly, that’s the way it should stay!” Well maybe, but maybe not!
A Photographer’s Perspective on “First Looks”
I’ve heard that there was a group of people who got together for pictures and a wedding broke out. Ha! Sometimes it seems that photography drives the events and the timeline of the wedding day. Wedding pictures capture moments that occur only once. You want to do whatever you can to get the best photos possible. Planning and timelines help make that happen. Experienced photographers and wedding planners are crucial parts of exceptional wedding photography. We need to remember that the photographer is there to capture the moments created during your wedding day. Yes, we want the photographer to have every advantage to do that but we also want the events of the day to flow in a natural and relaxed manner. It is a delicate balancing act that a gifted photographer and wedding planner can do while making it look easy!
-Shot List
Your wedding photographer will work with you and your wedding planner to create a shot list. This list will help you define exactly what you want from your photographer. Your photographer and planner will help guide you. Their suggestions and your feedback will help create a timeline that works best for getting all the photos on your shot list in the most efficient and most suitable way.
-Relax and Enjoy
A “First Look” gives a bride and groom a chance to have an intimate photo shoot with only a minimum amount of company. It is an extraordinarily private moment that involves just the couple, the photographer and perhaps the planner. The couple has a chance to visit in solitude. It might help calm the nervous jitters that are a natural part of any special event. It gives your photographer a chance to take many photos on your shot list before the wedding ceremony. Your makeup is fresh. Your hair is perfect. There is no rush. You can take your time. No one else is around trying to talk with you or ask questions. It’s a quiet time for the two of you in the midst of a busy day. This is an opportunity for your photographer to get some of the best pictures ever!
How a “First Look” Affects Your Wedding Day Timeline
-Before the Ceremony
On a day with no “First Look” planned the photographer will get as many shots before the ceremony as possible without the couple being present. They will take photos of the bridal party and family members without the bride and groom being together. The goal of the pre-ceremony shot list is to get as many photos as possible while honoring the decision that the bride and groom do not see each other until the wedding ceremony. The photography session before the ceremony is normally completed before guests arrive. Once guests begin to arrive the planner will tuck the bridal party away out of view. Family members may mingle and visit until the ceremony begins.
A “First Look” with the bride and groom on the wedding day will allow the photographer and planner to structure the timeline for this private moment before the ceremony begins. A plan for the “First Look” will give structure to this special time. The photographer and planner help the couple decide how it should look. Outdoor wedding venues have multiple location options for a “First Look.” Or, there may be an informal “First Look” that just happens. Do what is best for you! Either way, the photographer will be ready to capture the moment forever.
The “First Look” usually takes about 30 minutes on the time line. After the “First Look” session with just the bride and groom is over the photographer can move on with more bridal party and family member photos with both the bride and groom present. This helps get photos done before the ceremony that would otherwise have to be done afterwards. After the pre-ceremony shot list photos are completed the bride and groom are kept out of view until it’s time to line up for the processional to the ceremony site. Usually the bride remains out of sight until it’s time for her to walk down the aisle.
Having a “First Look” with the bride and groom and being able to get so many photos of the shot list done before the ceremony helps save time after the ceremony that can be used for other, maybe more fun, things!
-After the Ceremony
Taking photos after the ceremony can go much faster if the bride and groom do a “First Look” beforehand. There are a usually a few more photos on the shot list to take care of but the majority of them are done. That allows everyone to be a part of the Cocktail Hour and enjoy a little more time to relax and visit before dinner is served.
A “First Look” Gives You More Time to Dance!
If the photographer can get most of your shot list done before the ceremony it gives you room on your wedding day timeline for other things after the ceremony. Having a “First Look” will help create extra time for the Cocktail Hour, more time for toasts or more time on the dance floor. If you are able to get 30-45 minutes worth of pictures taken before the ceremony it gives you that much more time to relax and enjoy the rest of the day. It’s a goal at Murphy Lane to give couples at least 2 hours of “Dance Party” if that’s what they want. A “First Look” helps make that happen.
Two For One!
The instance a groom sees his future wife appear in her wedding gown as she gets ready to come down the aisle is a magical moment. The moment a couple sees each other during a “First Look” is also an incredibly special time. They can BOTH be very emotional. They are quite different but also tremendously special. You can have both!
I used to be of the “traditional camp” and always thought a bride and groom should wait until the ceremony to see each other. But now that we have been wedding venue owners for over 7 years and have seen over 200 weddings I admit that my opinion has changed. I think that the “First Look” plus the initial visual connection between the bride and groom when the ceremony begins gives couples “Two for the Price of One!” They not only get the sweetness of the groom’s first sighting of his soon-to-be bride as she comes towards him down the aisle they also get the intimate time with no other distractions of the “First Look.” You are investing a lot to create your wedding day. Take advantage of an opportunity to get Two For One!
To “First Look” or Not To “First Look”- That is the Question!
You can think through the issues of a “First Look”. Talking to those in your inner circle and getting their opinions can help you decide. You can ask couples who are married what they did on their wedding day and what they think. But don’t let other people make this decision for you. If you have strong feelings one way or another do what you think is best for you! Should you have a “First Look”? It’s your call!
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I don’t think a first look can hurt! The wow moment at the top of the aisle will still be huge. Love this topic!