…. before I tell you why you should have a First Look on your Wedding Day, check out my last blog post. I go into detail about what a First look is and why I personally love them. I know it’s a fairly new tradition in the wedding industry but it can be so beautiful! Are you thinking to yourself, well, I want the first time he sees me to be when I walk down the aisle because it will be special… then you REALLY need to go read my last blog post 😉
Okay, you read what exactly is a first look and now you want to know what exactly are the benefits of having a first look on your wedding day. Well, there’s a lot! …and they are big ones! So let’s jump into it.
40% More Portraits
You’re investing a lot into your wedding photography. With a first look, you’ll receive 40% MORE portraits of the two of you (bride and groom)… and those are the images you will decorate your first home with! With a first look, you make the most out of this large investment and get the most for your money. Wedding Photography is one of the largest investments from your wedding day. With good reason! Your portraits are the only thing that is left after your wedding for you to remember the day. Why not maximize that investment?!
It’s sometimes *more* emotional than you walking down the isle
You actually get to have intimate time on your wedding day with your future husband. Most brides don’t realize that when you come down the aisle and totally SHOCK him with your gorgeous-ness… he can’t even tell you how amazing you look. He can’t touch you, embrace you or even SPEAK to you. You have to wait until 30 minutes later when the ceremony is over for him to react and tell you how amazing you look. And after 30 minutes of the ceremony, the reaction isn’t the same as the initial first glance.
If you decide to have a first look, it’s an intimate and private moment. A moment that the groom is often much more relaxed in and therefor feels open to showing his actual emotions. Watching you walk down the isle can sometimes be a lot of pressure as he has 100+ eyes on him.
Extend your day by almost 3 hours!
First Looks allow you to extend your wedding day. Normally the wedding day would start when you come down the aisle, then the ceremony would end, you would rush through portraits so that you’re not late for the introductions and then it’s reception time. With a first look, your wedding day is extended by almost 3 hours! Instead of being rushed for your bridal party portraits, family portraits, bridal party portraits, and bride and groom portraits all within just 1 hour… all you have to do is take a few “just married” portraits and then go and enjoy cocktail hour with your favorite people! It doesn’t make much sense to spend most of your wedding day apart from one another, right?
It’s your ONLY alone time
First Looks allow you to be TOGETHER and ALONE on your wedding day. Not only is it intimate, but it’s also your only time to be alone the whole day! You cry and laugh and cry some more… and then that puts you in the PERFECT mood for your romantic portraits. Normally portraits are a little rushed after the family formals, and it can be hard to really get back into that “lovey-dovey” mode…. especially with family around! When you have just shared your first look, you’re READY to love on each other, and I always capture some super sweet images during those moments!
Diminishes Nerves
You get rid of your nerves! I’d say, literally 1/2 of my couples who have decided to do a first look, the grooms were not fans of it at first. However, because they have never experienced their wedding day before, they didn’t know how nerve-racking it can be. I have testimonials from so many grooms who initially weren’t a fan of the first look… but afterward admitted to being SO much more relaxed and ready for the ceremony!
