What is the First Look ?

I find a lot of my clients asking questions about the first look and if they should do it at their wedding or not. For my readers who have their brows raised or do not understand what I am talking about, Here:

The First Look is when the groom sees his bride for the first time in her wedding gown before they get to the ceremony, usually away from family and friends. This is sometimes called the “First glance”. The first look is filled with emotions and joy, it allows the couple share some special moments before the ceremony.

Personally, I like the idea of the first look. I believe it is a time to capture some genuine and intimate moments between the couple. It can also serve as an introduction to their bridal photos . I’m a big fan of taking the bridal photos before the ceremony, as this gives more time for photos while the Ladies’ make up is intact and “on fleek” and the groom and his men are still in high spirit.

Now, If I am ever asked my opinion about the ‘first look’ , Yes I will recommend that for the sake of doing the bridal portraits.  Majority of the couple who opted out of the first look did not have as much bridal photos they would have liked to have because after the ceremony, they ran out of time and the couples were busy taking the family and general photos.

However, I believe that the bridal portrait  session should not be affected if the couple opt out of doing the first look and if the wedding and the timeline of the wedding is properly planned and coordinated but in this era where everyone wants a ‘selfie’ with the couple, that hardly ever happens.

Enjoy some of the precious moments captured from the first look of some of my weddings and please share with me if you did or did not have the first look and why or why not.

Stay Beautiful