One of the clearest memories of my wedding day was the moment when the church doors opened and I laid eyes on my (future) husband. Louis Armostrong’s La Vie En Rose was playing. I got goosebumps all over. I can’t tell you how I made it down the aisle, all I knew was his eyes, filled with tears as I stood beside him. It was one of the most romantic moments of my life. We didn’t choose to do a First Look and I believe that was the right choice for me.
That being said, we also didn’t end up getting all the photos I would’ve liked after our wedding ceremony because we were trying to keep to the 1 hour cocktail hour schedule.
Many couples decide to see their betrothed pre-wedding for this reason. They make a big thing of it and the photographer is there to capture their bliss as it unfolds. All the emotions come rushing forth when a bride sees her groom's face privately, as she stands before him in her wedding dress. Couples like the First Look for many reasons that I’ve come to learn and understand over time.
A First Look allows you to take the bulk of your wedding pictures at your leisure, before you actually get married. It’s a great way to take the pressure off of that allotted cocktail hour and allows couples to enjoy more of their special day together. It also allows a couple a private moment together before the hoopla. A moment just for them to appreciate and gaze at each other. This also gives me goosebumps.
It’s a great idea to speak to friends and family members who chose to first look and hear what they had to say, before making the decision for yourself. There really is no wrong decision on this one. Go with your heart and you won’t be disappointed.
