What is a First Look?

Her dress is on. Her hair is curled and ready. Make-up is set into place, and her accessories perfectly adorning her. She slides her right foot into one high heel, and slides her left in the other. She takes a deep breath, straightening her shoulders, knowing it’s time to reveal herself to her groom before their ceremony. She begins to walk down the cobblestone path and sees him standing in the distance. Getting closer, butterflies start to move deep in her stomach and her heart pounds faster than the beat of her steps. The groom is standing with pride and a quiet confidence knowing who he is about to see. He visualizes all the ways his bride could look in white. He hears the train of her dress shuffling on the grounds with each click on her heel becoming louder. Sounds stop. The only sound left to hear are the thumps of a heart bursting with excitement. She gently touches his shoulder, and he slowly turns. Tears rush to the core of his eyes. They well with disbelief and awe at his new bride. They embrace one another and share in this private moment together that will be forever cherished.

This moment in a wedding day is called a first look. So what exactly is a first look? The definition of a first look is when a groom sees the bride in private before the ceremony. Historically speaking, it is traditional for the groom to see his bride for the first time when she walks down the aisle. This was around the same time period when arranged marriages were popular. Over the generations, sharing a first look before the ceremony has become increasingly common to do.

To do a first look is a personal decision the couple should make together, with no outside influence. It is your wedding day and it needs to be chosen between just you two. When I got married 6 years ago and wasn’t aware of the benefits of a first look. Now that I have have the honor to experience many couple’s wedding day, it’s my job is to educate you on this opportunity and the many benefits it includes.

What Happens:

Your photographer selects a beautiful private spot with perfect lighting. The groom will be waiting with his back turned to the bride. When the bride is all set up, we will tell her when to walk up. The groom will turn around to his beautiful bride once she places her hand on his shoulder. The second photographer and first photographer photograph with long lenses at a distance to give you enough space! You’ll get about five to ten minutes to just hang out—laugh, cry, pray, check each other out, and just be together. Then we’ll go off to shoot couple portraits together!

First Look Benefits

• Share an intimate moment prior to guest arrival.
• You will get more time with your spouse on your actual wedding day.
• There are more intimate meaningful moments with your spouse away from guests during portraits.
• Make-up and hair will look fresh.
• Bride is less stressed before the ceremony after seeing her husband.
• Groom is less stressed of his reaction to seeing his bride because all the ladies know how many people look to see the reaction.
• There are no worries about running into one another before the ceremony.
• You can take double the portraits together and capture with two types of lighting situations.
• The bride gets to enjoy two significant and different looks from her husband on her wedding day. One during the first look and one when she walks down the aisle.
• Your bridal party and family are freed up to enjoy the cocktail hour.
• Ideal lighting is usually on hand in that moment when the groom first sees you. Versus possibly staring into the sun later on.
• You’ll be allowed to spend more time with your guests at cocktail hour, especially all those out-of-town guests. “First Look” timelines are excellent for couples with many family and friends from out-of-state or out-of-the-country.
• You’ll even have the option to take a break during cocktail to have quiet moments with your new spouse!
• Just in case your ceremony ends when the sun is gone, things run behind, or bad weather conditions make it difficult to photograph, you can be rest assured that good portraits are already captured.

These precious first look memories capture the full emotion, excitement, and intimacy between couples that are sacred between only two people before anyone else knows. Remember what these benefits of having a first look are and discuss them with your fiancé to see if sharing a moment like this would best suit you as a couple.

MANY THANKS TO THE CREATIVE TEAM WHO HELPED WITH THESE WEDDINGS:

Venue: THE COUNTRY CLUB AT DC RANCH | ENCANTERRA COUNTRY CLUB | SHEMER ART MUSEUM | EAGLE MOUNTAIN GOLF CLUB | SECRET GARDEN EVENTS  | TRE BELLA |  TEMPE CENTER FOR THE ARTS | EMBRY RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL UNIVERSITY | THE PASEO |  THE ELEGANT BARN | CHATEAU LUXE

Photographer: APRIL MAURA PHOTOGRAPHY