Should I do a first look before my wedding?
On one hand, you have the age-old tradition that says you shouldn’t see your partner until the ceremony.
On the other hand, you have been seeing all these amazing pictures online of this new “first look” phenomenon… where you have an emotion filled photo shoot with your partner (and maybe wedding party, family, etc) before the ceremony.
It’s a really tough decision! And it seems to be a polarizing question… people either really love them, or really don’t. I can see both sides of it, but, I definitely fall into the “love them” category. Now before you “really don’t” people stop reading, hear me out. Normally I am a fairly traditional guy… I like all the old wedding conventions, white dress, something blue, big cake, blah blah…
courtesy of: thebridaldetective.com
BUT, I do love a good first look picture… and not just because the photographer in me thinks it makes for an awesome photo op (I mean, check out the pics above… you can’t beat them!), I love first looks because they take a huge amount of stress out of the entire day, for everyone involved.
courtesy of: 1.bp.blogspot.com
Let me explain…
Better yet, let’s make a pro/con list. I love those things, and there is no way to argue a thoroughly hashed out pro/con comparison, right?! Here we go:
First Look Photos – PRO
- Pictures – First looks allow the photographer to capture your special moment, without anyone else around, from several angles. They won’t be limited by rules of a church or blocked by excited family members standing to catch a glimpse
- Setting – You choose the location, the background, who gets to witness it… you have full control of the situation
- Suspense – a bride’s face as she approaches an unknowing or anxious groom is priceless…
- Creativity – there are so many cool scenarios you can have for protecting the surprise… each of you stand on opposite sides of a door, one on a 2nd floor balcony and the other on the ground, one in the front seat of a car and one in the back… the list goes on.
- Time – You can truly enjoy the first time you see your bride/groom. Ask the photographer to step back for a minute so you can have a private moment. I dare you to think of a moment more romantic than this!
- Schedule – If you have a first look before the ceremony, it gives you the chance to get a bunch of your photos early in the day, so after the ceremony is over you can go straight to your reception, instead of keeping the entire guest list waiting.
- Money – If you can go straight from your ceremony to reception, you won’t have the need for a cocktail hour. Aka: less time at the reception venue. Aka: less money to shell out!
courtesy of: thebridaldetective.com
First Look Photos – CON
- Sharing moments – Your family and friends won’t get to share in the moment that is your first look.
- Tradition – It’s supposed to be bad luck to see each other before the ceremony begins. If you are superstitious, this might be a dealbreaker…
- Planning – A first look usually isn’t just a whimsical thing. Some couples plan it out extensively to ensure they get just the right pictures, just the right moment, just the right everything.
courtesy of: Guabt Store
My personal opinion, is that a first look takes pressure off everyone, and makes for a great moment, so it’s a no-brainer. MJ and I didn’t choose to do one, for several reasons, but a big one was logistics. MJ was already getting up at the crack of dawn to have her hair, makeup, nails, and everything else done in time for the ceremony. Every smart husband knows that a happy wife = a happy life, so I wasn’t about to make her get up even earlier!
Think it over, and see what your ‘soon to be’ thinks… we’d love to hear your logic in the comments!
Happy Planning!
-Brooks
