Every year, during the month of February, on Tuesday I blog my favorite images from the previous wedding season; an entire week is dedicated to first looks and why I love photographing them so much. Needless to say, I’ve blogged numerous times about this idea and encourage all of my clients to consider if it’s right for their wedding day. But hearing it from the same source can unfortunately become white noise after a bit, so I wanted to bring you a new resource — real brides and grooms who opted to do a first look! First up, our brides and why they loved sharing a first look with their groom to be; check back next to hear from the grooms point of view! 

 

From Lauren and Tony, Veritas Vineyard Wedding
Like most brides, my biggest worry about doing a first look was that it would take something away from seeing each other down the aisle; looking back, if anything, it only made that significant moment better as I was more emotionally stable than I would have been if I didn’t get have the opportunity to spend a little time together before hand. It was so special to have the “first look” time with Tony before our wedding ceremony began and the night started to fly by. We both agreed that it calmed our nerves significantly and helped us relax. The first look actually got us even more excited for the rest of the day, knowing that we got to spend it together! I would recommend first look photos to pretty much any couple, it was one of the best choices Tony and I made for our wedding day! 

From Brittany and Ryan, Outer Banks Wedding
I was super iffy on the first look mostly because I knew my grandma would be against it and originally my husband thought tradition was important. After reviewing timelines with it and without it, the choice was clear: we were going to have a first look. I talked my husband into it (and didn’t tell Grannie!) and I am so thankful I did. It was a magical and calming moment and we both felt so reassured to see one another before the ceremony. Plus, and I cannot emphasize this enough, when you’re walking down the aisle there are a MILLION people waving at you… it would have taken a lot of focus to just see his face — talk about pressure!! I am all for the romance but I am also realistic. The first look was the best of both worlds and I am so glad we did it!

From Samantha and Matt, Mill at Fine Creek Wedding
I always thought that I wanted to stay traditional on my wedding day and see Matt for the first time walking down the aisle. However, after chatting with Alicia during our consultation, we began thinking a first look might be something we’d both enjoy — once we realized how much more time would be utilized if we did a first look, we were both in. I also knew I would be emotional the first time I saw Matt — I literally cried the minute I saw him standing there waiting for me — and liked the idea of knowing that moment would be private and intimate.  Moments after our first look, we both laughed at how nervous we were while getting ready and how the second we saw one another, we were immediately at ease — we were together and it felt like our wedding day had officially begun!

From Alicia and Rob, Potomac Point Winery Wedding
Before I was a wedding photographer, I was also a bride, considering whether or not to do a first look with my future groom. We based our decision by reviewing our two different timeline options; one with a first look and one without — getting to see one another before the ceremony gave us literally hours more time together on our wedding which, if you think about it, is really what the day is all about! My favorite pictures from our wedding to this day, five years later, are still those first look images. I truly cannot recommend it enough!!

Photos from our wedding by Seize the Day Photography