One of the most special memories you will have on your wedding day is seeing your bride or groom for the first time or aptly called a “first look”. For many of us, it is just a fleeting moment seen through happy tears while holding on to your father’s arm or standing next to your best man wringing your hands. The flood of emotions is like nothing you can prepare yourself for. How will you react? Will you remember it? Thankfully we have our tried-and-true photographers there to capture all of the emotions of that special moment.
A recent trend that I am a fan of is the “first look”. More brides and grooms are making time before the ceremony to see their future spouse for the first time. For some people, it just works because they want to make sure that moment is captured and set aside time just the two of them before the whirlwind of the day begins. If you are thinking of having a first look, there are definitely some things to consider before etching it into your timeline. Luckily, Jessa from Love & Light Photographs has agreed to share her experience with us!
Us: What do you think couples’ need to consider if they want to do a first look?
Jessa: The most important being your timeline and how many hours you are hiring your photographer for. If you are considering doing a first look, you will need your photographer present earlier in the day to document this moment! Your photographer or planner can be a great help with figuring our the logistics of this. Typically later afternoon/early evening ceremonies seems to be ideal for the first look timeline, however every timeline can accommodate one!
His face says it all!
So excited to see her groom!
Us: Any funny/cute stories about a first look you could share?
Jessa: I’ll say two funny things about the first look and both involve the groom. This is usually the first time in the day I am seeing the groom (my second shooter is with him in the morning) and he ‘s always so nervous while we are waiting for the bride to walk down. My favorite questions include. “Where do I put my hands? in my pockets? Do I turn this way? Is my hair okay? Do you need any water Jessa? Are you okay Jessa? Is she coming yet? Now? I think I hear her.” which is so adorable. Also, a cute story that I want to share is that one of my grooms cried during the first look AND when he saw his bride again down the aisle as if he hadn’t already seen her 15 minutes earlier. I wanted to note that this has happened on a few occasions…a first look doesn’t necessarily take away from the ceremony as I originally thought. It almost adds another layer to the day. A few quiet moments alone to be yourselves before the big show. It’s always one of my favorite times of the day!
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