So many couples today are flirting with tradition and opting to see each other before the ceremony to have their photos done. A phrase coined as ‘the first look’ is packed with emotion, the couple doesn’t have to be silent and restrained as they would during the ceremony, so emotion overflows.
Photographers love a first look as it allows for the couple to have a good photo session together in good light, without stressing about running into the reception time and inconveniencing guests.
Couples love a first look as it can relieve them of those pre wedding jitters, they can spend more time with their guests without missing cocktail hour and they get great photos!
Here’s just some of my favourite first look photos.
Lauren and Michael
Photo by Millie Holloman Photography
Carrie and Wade
Photo by James Day Photography
Ayelet and Ari
Photo by Danny Weiss Photography
Jessica and Brian
Photo by Kim Le Photography
Angeline and Dean
Photo by Rob and Lauren
Jenny and Jerrod
Photo by Kate McElvee
Roseann and Jerry
Photo by Jasmine *
Karen and Steve
Photo by Sedona Bride
Brooke and Jason
Photo by Anne Ruthmann
Sarah and James
Photo by Brooke Schwab
I, of course, have many more favourites- which are yours? Would you have a first look? Did you?
I SO cannot wait to see the look on Mr. 122’s face when he first sees me! We’re chucking that whole waiting thing right out the window. Saving time between ceremony and reception is key, as is calming some very fragile nerves!
i want a first look, but FI doesn’t! He wants to go traditional, but I’m not sure I’m going to make it down the aisle without crying hysterically! Also, I agree with Ms. 122 about saving time & calming nerves!
My FI and I are doing a compromise. He wants to see me just to talk to me and see how I’m doing before the ceremony, but I don’t want him to see me in my dress or with my flowers. So while we’re still in our street clothes, we’re going to meet before the ceremony privately for a little while.
This is not something that I had ever heard of until I started blogging. We are doing it, but basically only because our ceremony venue has no aisle, so it would be weird for my dad to walk me in. So, my dad is walking me there then we’ll meet outside and go into the ceremony together.
Great collection of photos 🙂
These are so beautiful and love shooting these scenes. 🙂
I love all of these! They’re so full of emotion. These are a few first sightings that we like from a fav photog company, The Memory Journalists (www.memoryjournalists.blogspot.com). Amanda & Matt: http://bp2.blogger.com/_KCjrGwLCiOk/RxKJs7Z3I-I/AAAAAAAABIs/Edw502v9DqE/s1600-h/GinsburgBlog_010.jpg
Lani & Shay: http://bp1.blogger.com/_KCjrGwLCiOk/RwBGLLZ3IaI/AAAAAAAABEM/0KDk6i3YhNw/s1600-h/OmaraBlog09.jpg
I agree that first sightings allow the couple to be as emotional as they want and have an intimate moment. Beautiful!
Oh geez, I just got all choked up looking at these beautiful images! I’m way too emotional lately 🙂
I have to admit, Lauren and Michael’s photo brought a little tear to my eye. Until now I thought I didn’t want the photos before the ceremony – I thought it would ruin the whole ‘first look’ in the ceremony… but now I realise seeing each other before the ceremony can be just as special, and maybe even more so as it’s in a relaxed and intimate setting. Thank you for changing my mind!
We had a “first look” and organised for all of our photos to be taken before the ceremony. This was largely due to not wanting a gap between ceremony and reception, and taking advantage of winter light (we were having an evening wedding). I thoroughly recommend it! Not only do we have a couple of priceless photos (will share with Polka Dot once we get our photos on CD), but we were able to calm our nerves before the ceremony and really enjoy the moment, without stressing about getting back to the reception.
LOL we were going to arrange our “first look” but kind of forgot about it and saw each other accidently before we realized it. So then we dramatically, in good fun, recreated our ” First Look” and the pictures are so funny to us we liked them even better that way 😀
Jessica and Brian. Too cute!
At first, I was completely opposed to this idea… But after meeting with a few photographers and having them show us images of couples who have decided to do it, we were sold. It’s such a special, intimate, and touching moment! Pluse it makes sense for us and our timeline, we need to take pictures before the wedding.
I can’t wait to do this with my future hubby!
I love those photos! They are so dear.