I have expressed my deep love for “First Looks” and there’s a reason for this. They’re AWESOME! However, not everyone is aware of how awesome they are, because they get caught up in how “non-traditional” it is and immediately write it off. After experiencing my own wedding and shooting others, I’ve come to this conclusion. Some brides love “traditions”…..but what a bride REALLY wants when it comes to her groom seeing her for the first time is a REACTION. Those who are not interested in a “First Look” usually think that by seeing each other beforehand, they will loose part of that reaction. They also assume that it will not be as emotional or intimate as it would be if they were coming down the aisle. What I have found is so IRONIC!

What typically happens without a first look…

Over the course of the day, the tension grows. The groom waits in a little room somewhere for his questions and it seems like it’s taking FOREVER. Finally, the coordinator leans in and hurries the groom to get ready. With clammy hands, the groom enters the ceremony and what does he find? He finds anywhere from 80-300 people and they’re all looking where? Right at his face….because everyone has expectations and anticipation about his first reaction.

This is the farthest thing from a private, intimate moment. Of course, walking down the aisle is a magical moment. But when I walked down the aisle, my husband wasn’t a nervous wreck….he spent the morning with me and our best friends and the pressure was OFF! By the time our ceremony rolled around he was ready to ENJOY our beautiful day! The nerves were gone and when they’re gone, true emotions are able to be expressed. And oh where they expressed! (Seriously, he bawled!)

But what if…

When the nerves start to creep up, instead of keeping the groom in a secluded space until the ceremony, what if you took him to a private place? No people, no onlookers, no distractions. You let his beautiful bride, the love of his life, quietly call his name and have him turn around to see her for the first time. The groom would turn around and not only get to see her. He could embrace her….cry with her….kiss her. He could ENJOY that moment with her for as LONG as they wanted. As she shows him her dress, twirls a few times and then asks him what he thinks….his nerves start to diminish. After all, she’s the one who can make him the most comfortable anyway.

WHY IT’S WORTH IT…

Not only does a first look help those pre-ceremony nerves, there are a few other reasons a first look is worth it.

40% MORE PORTRAITS

By opting for a first look, you’ll get 40% more portraits. You’re investing a lot into your wedding photography. With a first look you’ll receive 40% MORE portraits of the two of you…and those are the images you’ll decorate your first home with! You’ll get the most for your money.

ENJOY THE SURPRISE FREELY

You actually get to have intimate time on your wedding day with your man. Most brides don’t realize that when you come down the aisle and totally SHOCK him with your gorgeous-ness…he can’t even tell you how amazing you look. He can’t touch you, embrace you or even SPEAK to you. You have to wait until 30 minutes later when the ceremony is over for him to react and tell you how amazing you look. And after 30 minutes of the ceremony, the reaction isn’t the same as the initial first glance.

EXTEND YOUR DAY BY 3 HOURS

First Looks allow you to extend your wedding day. Normally the wedding day would start when you come down the aisle, then the ceremony would end, you would rush through portraits so that you’re not late for the introductions and then it’s reception time. With a first look, your wedding day is extended by almost 3 hours! Instead of being rushed for your bridal party portraits…you actually get to enjoy them and have fun hanging out with your BEST friends on your wedding day.

YOUR ONLY ALONE TIME

First Looks allow you to be TOGETHER and alone on your wedding day. When Anthony and I saw each other, not only was it intimate, it was our only time to be alone the whole day! We cried and laughed and cried some more…and then that put us in the PERFECT mood for our romantic portraits. Normally portraits are a little rushed after the family formals, and it can be hard to really get back into that “lovey dovey” mode…especially with family around! When you have just shared your first look, you’re READY to love on each other, and I always capture some super sweet images during those moments!

DIMINISHES NERVES

You get rid of your nerves! I’d say, literally 1/2 of my couples who have decided to do a first look, the grooms were not fans of it at first. However, because they have never experienced their wedding day before, they didn’t know how nerve racking it can be. I have heard it from grooms who initially weren’t a fan of the first look…but afterwards admitted to being SO much more relaxed and ready for the ceremony!

Just like first looks, engagement sessions also have SO many benefits! Read about them here!

https://joniloraine.me/2020/08/28/why-engagement-sessions-are-a-must/