Why have a First Look?

“Should I have a first look?” As wedding photographers, we get this question from a lot of our couples, but the answer depends entirely on you. Some couples want to wait until they walk down the aisle to see each other. Other brides and grooms prefer to have some special time before the ceremony alone together, documented by a wedding photographer as they see each other for the first time.

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While it’s certainly your choice whether or not to have that special first look, here are a few reasons we think it’s a good idea:

A First Look is a Rare Private Moment

During your first look, you’ll get to see your significant other by yourself, in peace and solitude. You don’t get many of those quiet moments just the two of you on your wedding day—take advantage of it! A first looks gives you an opportunity to be alone, to enjoy the anticipation of the day still to come.

A First Look Reduces Stress

After a first look, we will often take a few minutes to take couple’s portraits. We can even do wedding party and family portraits during this time as well. By handling it this way, you can get all the pictures out of the way before the ceremony, so you won’t feel rushed or feel like you need to get back to your guests during the portraits.

Everyone Is Still Under Your Spell!

Before the ceremony, everyone tends to listen to you and your significant other more. They know how nervous you are, after all. But it’s been our experience that once the ceremony is over, they just want to party! There’s always that one brother-in-law or bridesmaid who went straight to the bar and is hard to pin down for pictures. If you do a first look and get all the formal pictures out of the way early, there won’t be any stress—or any chase scenes!

You Can Spend Time with Your Loved Ones

It’s so easy to get caught up in the stress of all the planning that needs to be done on your wedding day. A first look can give you time to be with the people who matter before all the other stuff sets in.

You Have a Huge Family and Want All of Them in Formals!

We totally get it: family is important. But if you spend all your time doing family formals or stressing out trying to get everyone you want in your various family photos, you’re not going to have time for those romantic shots or immediate family sessions. This time before the ceremony can be crucial for the more intimate family pictures.

(As a side tip for weddings: Make sure that you keep a list of everyone that you want to include in your pictures on your wedding day. Break it down into groups so everyone knows where they need to be. It will save you time and stress!)

A First Look Will Calm Your Nerves

Those moments leading up to a wedding are often filled with excitement, anticipation, nerves—you’re feeling so much at once! Sometimes, it’s better to take a breath and spend a few minutes before the ceremony with the one you love. It’s a good reminder of why you’re going through all this stress in the first place.

You’ll Get Cooler Weather!

Weather can be a huge factor of your wedding day, especially in the South Florida area. It gets pretty hot and humid in the middle of the day, which is usually when couples have their ceremony. Rather than being out in the mid-day heat, why not have a first look earlier in the morning, when the weather is a little cooler?

You Can Enjoy Your Cocktail Hour!

Rather than spend the time after the ceremony taking pictures, you can actually eat and drink a little. Before the wedding, you spent all that time going to tastings and getting excited for the yummy food. You might have called your best friend up to tell her how amazing the mini tacos are—so why shouldn’t you get to enjoy one on your wedding day instead of doing your “romantic session” while everyone else enjoys your food?

The Lighting Is Better

We photographers are always looking for the best lighting situation for you and your wedding day. Talk to us about your schedule so that we can make sure you get those beautiful, sunlit, golden images or sunset images. This is especially important if you’re getting married in the evening, when the sun might have already set by the time you’re married! You don’t want to miss the light, especially if you wanted daytime photos for your romantic sessions. Scheduling a first look when the light is just right can make all the difference.

Come Up with a Game Plan

At the end of the day, you choose what you want to do with your wedding. Of course, there are pros and cons either way you choose, but you know what your vision is. Sit down with your fiancé and wedding photographer and discuss the plan for the day. As long as you’re true to yourself, your wedding day will be amazing. You might also want to consider a day after session. Take a look at the blog we just wrote about that right here

We truly want your wedding day to be one you’ll never forget, so we want you to be confident in your choices. Don’t hesitate to ask us any questions you might have! To book your wedding with Organic Moments Photography follow this link.