First Look vs. No First Look
What’s a First Look and Why Would I Want One?
Unless you attend a lot of weddings or know wedding photographers, you may not be familiar with this practice. I only became aware a few years back when I assisted the talented Myrtle Beach photographer, Pasha Belman ( http://pashabelman.com/ ) with a wedding in Michigan. It’s becoming a progressively more popular trend, benefitting the wedding couple and the photographer.
The bride and groom arrange to see each other prior to the wedding in a private/semi private setting in a spot they have chosen, sometimes away from the wedding venue. The purpose is to allow more time for photographs to be taken without there being a big rush to get them all in between the ceremony and the reception. It sounds like it would take away from that special moment when the bride and groom first lay eyes on one another during the ceremony, but in actuality, the moment can be just as tender and special during a First Look, allowing the bride and groom time to bask in the loveliness of one another without having to hurry off. Seeing each other for the first time and realizing the significance of this day, can be a very emotional time. Having this be a somewhat private moment (with the exception of the photographer or any other chosen onlookers) there aren’t all the inhibitions and nerves one may have in front of a large audience.
After the bride and groom share their special time with one another and all photographs have been taken, this is a perfect time to photograph the wedding party. Often, immediate family members arrive shortly after the first look for photographs and formal family pictures are shot.
The remaining time leading up to the ceremony can be spent relaxing and sprucing up for the upcoming ceremony. Following the ceremony, family members who did not attend the First Look can be photographed and then it’s on to the reception!
Why I Would Not Want a First Look
First Looks aren’t for everyone. If the couple are strict traditionalists, they may not choose to go with a First Look. Some couples want the first time they see each other to be during the ceremony, sharing this magical moment with all their guests. Anticipation builds up as the couple wait for the moment when you first lay eyes on their betrothed and want their First Look to be part of the ceremony.
And there is the superstition of bad luck accompanying seeing each other before the ceremony. The origin of this superstition goes back to the days of arranged marriages, when there was fear that if the groom saw the bride before the vows, he may back out of the arrangement. So even though the roots of this tradition are not relevant today, with very few arranged marriages occurring within the U.S., some couples may not want to chance it, so forgo the before the ceremony First Look.
To Do or Not to Do
With or without the First Look, the bride and groom are going to have a perfect day! The Photographer is still going to capture all the special moments of the day and it will be a glorious event! Of course as a photographer, I love First Looks because it allows for more time to photograph, but if a couple tells me they’re not interested, the discussion goes not further. After all, it’s their special day and I’m there to visually record every moment according to what creates the most happiness and satisfaction for them.
So should you do a First Look or not? Follow your heart!