4 Reasons why you should considering doing a first look on your wedding day.
Why you should considering doing a first look on
your wedding day!
As a Greenville, SC wedding photographer one of my favorite moments during a wedding is the first look. I love that moment when the bride and groom get to see each other for the first time on the most important day of their lives. Here are just a few reasons why I am obsessed with first looks and why you should considering seeing each other before you walk down the isle.
- Enjoying that first look
The first look is when the bride and groom see each other before the wedding ceremony. We take them to a private location, away from the hustle and bustle of people and any wedding prep. Being able to enjoy and relish seeing one another for the first time, without all your family, bridal party, and guests watching. You are able to embrace, smooch, share tears or laughs, and not feel like you need to hold back. Having that instant and natural reaction while having a very sweet and tender moment documented.
- Keeping you calm
One of the biggest reasons why I encourage a first look is, it really helps to easy those wedding day jitters, thus creating a more laid back vibe. You are both much more relaxed and can truly enjoy your wedding ceremony.
- Timing out the day
Seeing each other before you walk down the isle allows more time for photos and without being rushed. Right after the first look, I photograph the bride and groom together for a little while, ideally I like to spend 45 minutes with the bride and groom. From that point I add the bridal party to photos, and I generally allow 30 minutes for bridal party photos. We do a variety of group shots, the bride with her bridesmaids ( group and individually with each bridesmaid ) and then repeat it with the groom and his groomsmen. Even family photos can be taken before the ceremony. However, take in consideration of the time it will take to round everyone up, get all of the important shots, as well as allowing enough time to take a break and re-group before the ceremony starts. Typically, I like to be done with the pre ceremony shots no less than 45 minutes before you walk down the isle. This way the bride can be hidden from arriving guest, and give her time to retouch hair or makeup if need be. Right after the ceremony is over we get a chance to take more photos of the bride and groom, family or bridal party, anything that time didn’t allow prior to the ceremony. Depending on your timeline for your reception I like to take the bride and groom out one more time right at golden hour. Its the most beautiful lighting for outdoor photos and you loose that light very quickly, so if we can I like to take about 15 or 20 minutes for some last minute bridal portraits of the bride and groom.
- Get your party on
Again, timing must be taken into consideration, but when we are able to take the majority of your photos before the cocktail hour / reception, this allows more time for you to greet your guests, eat, and party! One of the best advantages of doing a first look is that it allow for flexibility with your wedding day timeline. As your Augusta, GA wedding photographer, I am happy to make a wedding day timeline for you. We can sit down together and make sure we have a clear plan, allow time for if you are running behind time, while making sure you get the most out of your day. By having well written out timeline prior to the wedding this will help not only your wedding photography to stay on time, but your whole wedding will flow better, and less stressful!
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