Should I do a first look on my wedding day?
The not-so-new trend that’s taking the wedding industry by storm;
The first look.
The moment when you and your love meet for the first time on your wedding day.
Maybe you touch hands on either side of a doorway.
Maybe you only hear each others voice, and you say your vows quietly to one another.
Maybe you do a full reveal and embrace one another so tightly.
Or maybe you wait until you get to the aisle, and at the other end you finally see what you've been waiting for:
your forever.
Let’s talk about the pros and cons of doing a first look on your wedding day, and why a Kamloops Wedding Photographer’s favourite moment of a wedding day is the first look.
DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF A “FIRST LOOK” —
If you want to keep the magic alive right up until you walk down the aisle, there are other options for you to have a moment together before the ceremony.
First touch — where you stand on either side of a doorway or around the corner from one another and just touch hands. This allows you to still have a moment together without actually seeing each other.
Reading a letter/vows to each other (or on your own) — read your vows to each other on either side of a door or step away on the morning of your wedding day to quietly read the letter your love wrote for you.
Gift giving moment — maybe you decided to gift each other small gifts; this would be a perfect time to exchange those!
FIRST LOOK //
YAY
If you're opting for a first look, just know that this is by far my favourite part of any wedding day. It’s such a special, once-in-a-lifetime moment. But let’s talk about why I say you should opt for a first look:
It eases some of the nerves before walking down the aisle.
If you’re anything like me, you’re probably worried about ruining your makeup or crying way too much on your wedding day. Thankfully, the adrenaline got the best of me and I only shed a few tears on my actual wedding day. But for those who know their emotions will be in full swing, the first look allows you to relax and calm each other before the ceremony.
You have the opportunity to get some really special photographs at this time.
Some couples even opt take all their couples portraits before the ceremony! This is great especially if you don’t have a lot of time between your ceremony and reception.
It’s a special, once-in-a-lifetime moment with just the two of you.
While I totally understand those who want to wait until you get to the aisle to see each other, there are few moments in the day where it’s truly just the two of you. I know what you’re thinking: “the whole day is about the two of us!” YES, but the day goes by so dang fast and you have a lot of people to see and a whole lot of dancing to do. So soak up any time you get to spend alone together on your wedding day. I like to take my couples out for some portraits after dinner during golden hour, which is another time for just to two of you.
You can say your vows to each other privately.
When my husband and I got married, we decided to say our hand-written vows at our first look. We also said them to each other at the ceremony, but having that intimate moment together just the two of us allowed us to completely take each other in. A lot of the time you’re so nervous during your ceremony that you may not even remember half the things your partner says! It all goes by so fast and can be overwhelming. This is the perfect opportunity to calm those nerves and intentionally listen to your partners vows for the very first time.
I strongly suggest doing a first look, but I totally understand that feeling of wanting to see each other for the first time when you're walking down the aisle.
NAY
If you're always dreamt of seeing your partner for the first time at the end of the aisle, let's do it! If this is the plan, definitely consider having an earlier ceremony. This way we will have lots of time (and daylight) between the ceremony and reception to get all the wedding party and couples portraits. I recommend having at least 2.5 hours between the ceremony and reception, and don't forget to factor in travel time between locations. Another option is having a longer cocktail hour and sneaking away for couples portraits before dinner.
First look with someone other than your partner —
If you don't want a first look with your partner, there's other fun options! You can do one with your bridesmaids, groomsmen, or parents/grandparents. If you have a special gift giving moment, this is the perfect time to intentionally make space for that.
At the end of the day, this is your day and you’ve put your heart and soul into planning your wedding. Don’t let anyone tell you how to do it, because you don’t want to have regrets! Remember you don’t have to follow any traditions or do what you think you should be doing. This day is about you, your partner, and the journey that brought you here. Never forget that!