It’s true, there will be no shortage of emotions on your wedding day. But one moment will stand out as the most heartfelt of them all — the unforgettable wedding first look.
The wedding first look is redefining the way couples experience the big day, but what is it exactly? How do you do it? And do you need to do it at all? Today, we’ll unravel the ins and outs of doing a first look, and when we’re done, you’ll be able to decide if it’s right for you.
The tradition
While tradition once dictated that the couple should wait until the ceremony for that awe-inspiring first glimpse, love, as it always does, found new ways to express itself.
For many couples, having a wedding first look is a strategic move. It frees up time after the ceremony, when formal wedding photos often take place, because you can capture a few shots during the first look. This will allow you more time to mingle and greet your guests during cocktail hour.
For other couples, the first look is about breaking from tradition and having an intimate moment with each other to revel in the excitement, embrace the love, and calm the nerves before walking down the aisle.
Planning your wedding first look
As with all other parts of your wedding, your first look needs to be planned. The easiest way to do this is to work with your photographer. A first look should be all about the intimacy shared between you and your partner, but you’ll want to preserve the moment on film as well. So, work with your photographer to set a time and specific location of where the moment will take place.
Here are a few more tips:
- Choose the right location: Your wedding photographer knows how to make the most of the surroundings, capturing the essence of your connection against the backdrop. Trust their expertise and work together to find that sweet spot within your venue for your wedding first look.
- Select the ideal time. Consider the flow of your wedding day schedule to ensure the first look aligns with the optimal lighting conditions. You’ll also want to time the moment early enough before the ceremony so you don’t end up rushing to the altar, but late enough so that you’re not waiting around afterward for a long period of time for the festivities to start.
- Choose the right shots. Before the wedding, speak with your photographer about your vision, discuss preferred angles, and share any specific shots you have in mind. Since they know the ins and outs of your venue, trust their suggestions on where to position yourselves for the most breathtaking shots.
- Get others involved. To pull off your wedding first look, you’ll need the help of a few key people. If you have a wedding planner, they can help you with all the logistics, including choosing a location and working with your photographer to get both of you to this special location on time. Most wedding venues will also have a coordinator on-site to help ensure everything runs smoothly.
- Keep it private. While the first look is a shared experience between you and your partner, it’s essential to maintain an air of privacy and intimacy. Communicate with your photographer, planner, and anyone else involved to establish boundaries. Ensure that the location is cordoned off from prying eyes, allowing you both to be fully present in the moment.
This is your time to connect without distractions, so don’t hesitate to express your desire for an intimate space. By setting these parameters, you create a bubble where the outside world fades away, and it’s just the two of you, sharing a moment that’s yours alone.
Your wedding first look is an experience unlike any other and one that will fly by in the blink of an eye. So make sure to immerse yourselves in the magic, embrace the whirlwind of feelings, and trust the process. This is your moment — let the world fade away, revel in the connection, and create memories that will become ever-etched in your love story.
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