Standing in a garden ceremony on the weekend, with thunderclouds threatening in the skies above, 100+ guests watched the groom’s chin started to quiver as he laid eyes on his bride for the first time. I reflected on the emergence of the “First Look” which is becoming a widely favoured option for many couples these days – a private moment between the bride and groom where they see each other for the first time before the ceremony.
I wondered whether this particular groom would still be teary-eyed and showing such raw emotion if he had a First Look prior. Perhaps we’ll never know! We can however take an informed approach and understand the benefits of a First Look, and the benefits of waiting until the ceremony. Two choices, to wait or not to wait, and a myriad of reasons for each.
Benefits of a First Look:
- The most obvious benefit is the personal and intimate moment this creates. Without a crowd looking on, you have the opportunity to cry, laugh, shriek with excitement, hug, kiss, compliment one another, and react in a very natural way. It’s an unrestrained moment with your photographer capturing the raw goods.
- Time-wise, a First Look assists in shortening the ceremony to reception transition. Having photos prior to the ceremony – whether it’s just the bride and groom, or bridal party and family – allows a shorter changeover and extends the opportunity to join with guests in canapés and drinks.
- It goes without saying that since it’s just that little bit taboo it makes it more exciting…
Benefits of Waiting:
- Traditionally, you have dreamed of the moment when you first appear at the end of the aisle. If you’ve stuck to the ‘rule book’ (or superstition) then you won’t have seen each other the night before and so the anticipation of the reveal as you walk down the aisle is something unique and special to look forward to.
- As a guest, watching the groom’s reaction when he sees his bride for the first time is such an amazing moment to witness… it’s my favourite part of the day! The emotion of the couple can be heightened due to the significance of the ceremony taking place, and that’s a precious gift for family and friends to share in.
- You don’t have to get up that wee bit earlier to prepare for a First Look shoot…
Whilst the traditionalist in me screams out no to a First Look, I can’t help but be overcome with emotion and covered in goosebumps when seeing images of this intimate moment. Is it for everyone? Not necessarily. But each couple has their own individuality, their own responses to emotion, and ultimately it’s their decision what suits them best. Here’s to that first look… whenever it may be!
Images by Wanderer Photography
We have a 6pm wedding… Not really our choice but the earliest we could start having our ceremony on the rooftop of our venue. Working the timing back with our photographer it became clear s first look and early photos would be the best way to avoid having the reception start super late! We’ve really embraced the idea, Chris and I aren’t traditionalists and we’re really looking forward to having that moment to ourselves. And I don’t think it’s going to ruin the moment at the ceremony, in fact it may make it more emotional! Tess has photographed quite a few first looks and we’re comfortable it’s right for us. My only concerns are that we won’t have our wedding rings on in the majority of our photos… and I’m going to need insanely waterproof makeup to avoid looking a mess at the ceremony! But we are having some post-ceremony photos on the St Kilda pier so we can get some ring photos there. If the light’s the same as our e-session we’re going to get some amazing photos 🙂
We are also having somewhat of a ‘first look’ prior to our ceremony – purely due to time and daylight constraints. We are getting married in August in Melbourne, our ceremony has been brought forward to 5pm (when ceremonies usually start at 6pm at our venue) as sunset will be at 5.45pm.
I had to let go of the ‘romanticism’ of walking down the aisle and being seen for the first time in my gown during that stage. But in all honesty we are both now looking so forward to our time together on our own – the calm before the flurry of family and friends.