Whether you are more traditional in the way you approach your wedding or want a more modern twist there will always be at least one topic that you and your fiancé will disagree on. Maybe it’s the cake flavors. Could be your decor that you splash throughout your day. However, one subject (that really is a new concept to have to decide on) is the First Look. For those of you who are newly engaged and learning about all the different traditions or maybe have never heard of this new trend, it is a new option for the groom to see his bride for the first time. The traditional way of the groom catching the first glimpse of his bride is when she walking down the aisle. This custom is going strong. Yet, the new choice many couples are opting for is the First Look. A specific time in the day set aside only for the bride and groom when he can see his stunning wife to be in an intimate moment they can share together. I love both options simply because both involve the anticipation factor of your groom seeing the woman he will be marrying for the very first time. But, I never know what the reaction of the groom will be when he turns around and sees his bride during a first look in her handpicked dress honestly glowing on their special day. However, I have personally witnessed tears, grooms dropping to their knees, and the utter disbelief that the gorgeous sight in front of him will soon be his wife. Those same reactions can also happen when the bride is making her way up the aisle towards her husband to be with her father. Each couple is different and the first look is definitely not for everyone. When I first book a couple’s wedding I always send them a few pros and cons of the first look or waiting until the ceremony to see one another. I don’t want to give away all my secrets, but I wanted to share a few with you to get your wheels turning on this specific topic.  

Bride & Groom First Look

Pros:

• The first time you see each other is private and shared just between you two (and me with my quiet, ninja-like camera)
• You both will look your freshest!
• Helps to ensure that there is enough time for the most important photos (the ones of you two!)

Cons:

• Seeing each other before the ceremony goes against tradition

Bride & Groom Waiting Until The Ceremony To See One Another

Pros:

• You get to keep up with tradition
• If you are wanting to have a cocktail hour for guests between the ceremony and reception, taking the bulk of your images after the ceremony will allow your guests to mingle and enjoy drinks while you’re getting your pictures taken.

Cons:

• If the ceremony begins late, or family photos run longer than expected, then it’s always the bride and groom photo time that gets cut short.
• The photo time after the ceremony will take longer so guests will have approximately an hour and a half to two hour break from when the ceremony ends to when the reception begins (this can be a pro or con depending if you want to entertain your guests during this time or not!)

After looking over these two ideas for your wedding day, if you like both and are finding it hard to choose, you can also blend a bit of the two. Instead of actually seeing one another you could hold hands around a corner, door, or even around a tree. So you still are not breaking tradition and seeing each other before the ceremony, but still get that meaningful moment with just the two of you to help ease the jitters before the big walk down the aisle. You can even decide on a first look with your dad or father figure in your life. Many brides want to have that cherished time with the man who raised them and give their dad the honor of being the very first man to see her in the white dress.

You should choose an option that is right for you and your fiancé. I am here to help give all the insight I can from my past experiences. Either way you go, we will make it work for your day. This is YOUR once in a lifetime moment to see your soon to be spouse on your wedding day. You want it to be perfect and done the way it is intended for you both as a couple.

Warm Regards,
Lauren

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