Consider a first Look

YOU CAN PROBABLY ALREADY TELL I’M A BIG FAN OF BREAKING TRADITIONS! A FIRST LOOK GIVES YOU AND YOUR BABE A CHANCE TO SEE EACH OTHER IN A PRIVATE, INTIMATE SETTING BEFORE THE CEREMONY. HERE’S A COUPLE REASONS TO CONSIDER DOING A FIRST LOOK:

1. It takes the pressure off

There’s often a LOT of nerves going into your ceremony. If you hate being the center of attention with everyone’s eyes on you, take the opportunity to see each other for the first time in a quiet, intimate setting before the ceremony. And chances are you’ll be MUCH more relaxed when it’s time to say your “I do’s”.

2. It frees up your timeline

It really does! Usually after a first look, we’ll do family photos and wedding party photos before the ceremony. This means you won’t have to spend time corralling your family members after the ceremony, take family photos after all the excitement of the ceremony, and making sure no one leaves to go fetch their beer as we’re in the middle of photos. Honestly, after the ceremony all you’ll want to do is hug everyone you love and join your friends and family for cocktail hour!

3. Exchange private vows/handwritten letters/gifts

For some couples, saying their vows is a personal experience that they don’t feel comfortable doing in front of a crowd. Whether this feeling resonates with you, or you just want to share your promises to each other in a more intimate setting. Reading your vows in private is a great way to spend a little extra time together on your day. We can definitely do this during your First Look time! If you prefer to save your vows for the alter, you can also take this time to read a handwritten letter or exchange gifts to one another!

4. Consider a first touch

Okay so maybe you can’t get the idea of walking down the aisle and seeing one another for the first time out of your head. After all, it’s in all the movies and regardless it will still be magical! Consider doing a first touch instead — this is where you can stand behind a door, or on either side of a wall and have a moment of anticipation with one another. This would be an amazing time to share a prayer or read letters to one another.

5. First looks aren’t just for you

If you’ve decided to forgo a first look, I suggest making some time to do a first look or grand reveal to your wedding party or even a close family member! I’ve captured so many sweet moments of brides stepping out to reveal their wedding gown to their bridesmaids, or even a close family member that you feel will get extra emotional seeing you all dolled up in your wedding attire. This is especially popular for fathers of the bride or even grandparents!