Ever heard of a wedding ‘first look’? This has been a trend in the US for years, but has never taken off in the same way in the UK. So have a read and see whether you might want to consider doing a first look for your own big day… or whether you’d prefer to wait to see each other when you’re walking down the aisle!
What is a wedding day first look?
A first look is the moment the happy couple see each other on the wedding day (obviously) but typically refers to the couple choosing to orchestrate seeing each other before walking down the aisle. At this time, they’ll take some photos, and sometimes smaller group photos or bridal party photos before the ceremony.
Often a first look is staged so that one person (often the groom in heterosexual couples) has their back to the other. Then the bride will come and surprise the groom by tapping on his shoulder so that he can turn and see his bride-to-be for the first time and enjoy the big dress reveal.
Another way you can do a first look is to stand back-to-back and turn round simultaneously which I think would be pretty special too!
Do you love the idea of having this kind of private reveal before the aisle moment? I can totally help you capture these kind of reaction photos with my style of relaxed, candid wedding photography. Why not check your wedding date with me?!
The pros of first look wedding photos
As with any situation there are pros and cons and it’s down to you as a couple to decide what suits you best, but here are some of the main benefits of a first look.
Do you think you’ll be nervous on your wedding day?
Having spoken to previous couples, they said their first look took nothing away from their ceremony. But they said that it definitely helped with the nerves. In particular, one jittery pair who didn’t want to stand in front of a room full of folk springs to mind!
It’s a great way to see each other privately without 100+ eyes on you. Plus, if you think you’re likely to blub and want a moment to touch up makeup pre-ceremony, then it gives you an opportunity for that too!
If you are nervous about the camera then it’s all about the benefits of an engagement shoot, but on the day itself wedding nerves can be hard to handle for some. Although my style of relaxed wedding photography means I’ll largely be in the background, is it worth considering seeing each other before the aisle? I’m happy to chat your wedding photography options through with you…
You can capture some truly beautiful photos
Your wedding can be such a whirlwind of emotions and people that you often don’t get a moment to yourself. It can be such a treat to have a quiet moment to start your special day together.
And this intimate moment can get you some really lovely photos together, not to mention the spontaneous photos of seeing each other!
Enjoy your wedding canapés!
It’s a well-known fact that the wedding couple usually get the fewest canapés and reception drinks – not really fair right?! If you want that time back between your ceremony and wedding reception to enjoy those canapés, chat with friends and enjoy some downtime, then not needing lots of time away from your guests for group shots and couple shots is the perfect solution.
While I never take couples away for long, if you don’t want to miss a moment then this could be the perfect solution for you.
Need some ideas for your first look wedding reveal? While I don’t do many because they aren’t hugely popular in the UK, I’ve seen a few… Let me help you capture your Hertfordshire wedding day.
Are you planning a winter wedding?
With the days getting short, the light is often gone by 4pm and you don’t have enough light left to take photos outdoors. This means you either need to think about having a very early ceremony to get your photos in during daylight hours or take advantage of morning light.
Most of the first look photos I’ve taken have been at winter weddings for exactly this reason; once a lot of couple shots are taken in the morning it’s only group photos to take care of after the ceremony.
Planning a winter wedding and worried about the light? Of course we can light photos inside but if you want to take advantage of the gorgeous venue you’ve picked, consider being ready early for some of the photos even if it’s just with your family and friends. I’ve seen it done both ways, I always love natural light photos. Want some advice on what would work best? Just drop me a line.
The cons of first look wedding photos
As mentioned, this won’t be right for everyone, so let me point out some of the reasons that this may not be right for you and your loved one.
You have to be organised on your wedding morning
Obviously, if you want photos before the ceremony then you need to be ready earlier. You need to ensure sufficient time to do your first look, take some photos and do any small groups that you want to take as well.
This might be waking up earlier, depending on your ceremony time, or just being really organised with your time on the day. It doesn’t take much time to have a first look. However, if you are running late and haven’t planned in sufficient time for photos post ceremony and run late in the morning as well, you could put your photos in jeopardy.
Are you particularly traditional?
This is where the majority of Brits seem to come unstuck. One half of the couple seems to quite like the idea and then the other feels that it’s not tradition or it’ll ruin the aisle moment – we’re still a traditional bunch at heart! There is also an outside chance that some guests will see you either during this emotional moment or just after it, depending on the set up of your venue.
Do you feel that the aisle moment will be different if you’ve seen each other first?
How worried are you about your wedding dress?
This isn’t necessarily a deal breaker, but some people don’t want their dress to be anything other than perfect to go down the aisle, so the thought of having been outside in the dress first is a total no-go. However, we can find a perfect place at your wedding venue to be on hard ground rather than clambering through a muddy field if this is important to you!
Liking the ida of a first look? Absolutely hating the thought? But liking the style of happy, relaxed and natural wedding photography you’re seeing? I firmly believe that it’s your day, your way and I work with you to your time line, so let’s have a natter, whatever your wedding timeline looks like!
What I think you should do?
Well, of course, that isn’t for me to say!
If you decide this is something you might be interested in then I’d be more than delighted to chat through your wedding day timeline and help you capture this really intimate and special moment between you.
And if you decide that this isn’t right for you as a couple (and it isn’t right for everyone) then I’ll be there waiting at the top of the aisle for you to see each other at that special moment instead!
I hope this helped you figure out what might be right for you as a couple, but if you want to chat anything through simply get in touch.
Or if you want to see some more Hertfordshire wedding photography you can do that on that link and I’ll look forward to chatting about your big day.
