The First Look, what is it, should we have it, and does it matter?
Welcome back to the blog friends, today we are talking about “The First Look”.
Some couples do them, some don’t and many just don’t have a clue what it is, so let’s dive right in and get the answers to you.
What is a First Look?
The First Look is just that when the bride and groom reveal themselves for the first time in their wedding attire.
More commonly, it’s to get the raw emotion and reactions of each other seen in the wedding dress, tux and the like, it makes a great ‘moment’ mainly for the video and still cameras.
They are usually set up in a place where the couple can share their moments together away from family, the bridal party, and guests.
The length of the first look depends on the couple and the wedding photographers wanting to capture the moments. One that we do typically last about 10-15 minutes max, in part, we give couples a few minutes alone without cameras in their face.
Should We Have a First Look?
Well, that depends.
A 2017 Wedding survey from the Knot revealed that 44% of couples choose to have the first look.
While wedding photographers will insist that you have one, having one truly depends on you and your spouse if you want to in the first place.
One thing that I can tell you from both personal experience and as a wedding vendor is that having one will release a lot of stress from being able to see each other before the wedding.
Those butterflies usually dissipate after seeing each other and it helps allow you to be at ease when you walk down the aisle.
Secrets to a Great First Look
If you want to make the First Look a great success, we highly recommend that you do a couple of things.
Write a letter to each other
Share a gift with each other
Writing a letter to each other about the day and about your love for one another is something that couples will do and it’s a great way to express your love for one another.
Additionally, one alternative you can do share a gift with each other. That’s a great way to be able to share those special moments with each other privately since most of the wedding day will be somewhat in public view of friends, family, and loved ones.
What Photographers and Videographers Should Do After the First Look
One of the great things that we do is usually after the first look, we let the couple share a few minutes, alone.
See, throughout the day, you’ll be driven into all sorts of directions and you will have very little time to yourselves, so, Carole and I always let the couple share 5-10 minutes by themselves if possible. If not after the first look, then after the couple’s images.
Other professionals will do the same, but not always.
It’s something worth asking about when you meet with your own wedding photographer.
