Something I always get asked about from my couples in the beginning of their planning process (or at least one of the first questions I always ask) is: Are you planning on doing a first look?
Because that’s definitely not something someone can decide in a matter of minutes and should be thought about carefully, I like to give my couples the pros and cons of doing one versus not doing one.
Here’s a collection of what I usually tell them, both from personal experience and photographer standpoint.
Can you guess which route my husband and I chose? [Scroll to end to find out!]
[like Megan who chose to do a first look with her dad on her big day!]
ALSO, Sometimes a “first touch” can be the option for you!
This helps get rid of the wedding jitters by just knowing and feeling that you’re in this together, while also keeping the special moment of seeing each other as you meet at the altar special.
And now..
We opted for a first look! For a variety of different reasons. We really wanted to have a special moment between the two of us and then include our bridal party- which was mostly comprised of our family- in the special moment as well. So we went to a local school campus, did our own first look, then invited the bridesmaids and groomsmen to where we were at to show them how we looked together! This worked out really well because there wasn’t much cover for any of us to hide from each other where we were having our ceremony (the backyard of my husband’s childhood home). It just made getting around before the ceremony start time that much easier! Plus, we got to knock out the bridal party photos before the ceremony even started! Which gave us a ton of time to mingle with our guests before dinner.
So tell me, are you and your significant other going for it [here’s another couple who went for the first look]? Or are you staying true to tradition and saving it for the ceremony?
Let me know why or why not! I’m always interested to hear other sides!
[check out Megan + Matt who opted for a first look during their gorgeous fall wedding at Postlewait’s Country Weddings in Canby, OR- they also chose to exchange sweet and personal gifts during this time together!]
And here are a few more of my favorite shots from their beautiful wedding day!
VENUE: Postlewait’s Country Weddings
DRESS: The White Dress Portland
BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES: Azazie
HMUA: Luxe Artistry Group
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