One question that I ask all of our couples is if they would like to do a first look session on the day of their wedding! Some people love the idea, while others aren’t too fond of it! Just in case you have never heard of this before, a first look session is photographed right before your ceremony! The groom and bride will see each other for the first time all dressed up and spend time taking photographs together! It is such an emotional time for both the bride and the groom! It’s done in a private location with only the bride, groom and photographer!

Deciding if a first look session is right for you, can be a difficult task! There are pros and cons to having a first look versus the more traditional approach! When it came to our wedding day, it wasn’t really a question whether we would do a first look or not! It was more about when and where! There are a few things that you must take into consideration if you decide on having a first look session!

The location that you choose for your first look is very important! It is best to find a location that isn’t super busy! This will be the first time you see your groom in his suit or your bride in her wedding dress, so privacy works best! A quiet spot outside of your hotel or wedding venue is great! Or if we have enough time before your ceremony, we can drive out to a different location to photograph your first look!

Time

When creating the timeline for your wedding day, we will be sure to add in enough time to have your first look session! We love when we have an hour to spend with just our couple, but we understand that every wedding won’t allow that much time! We do ask for at least 30 minutes together!

Many couples love the idea of a first look session for the simple fact that they get to see each other first! Others love it because they get to spend a few minutes together before making that trip down the aisle! I loved it because it gave us a chance to take photos before the ceremony! And as a photographer, that is one of the reasons I push for a first look! We can spend 30 minutes to an hour just photographing you and your honey! There is less stress due to time restraints because the ceremony started late or the family photos took longer than expected! It’s just us and we have lots of time to be as creative as possible! Plus, a first look frees up more time for wedding party photos, family formals, or time to enjoy your cocktail hour after the ceremony!