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Why You Should Do A First Look

Wedding Essentials

Princeton University Bride & Groom Portraits

Wedding Essentials


You might be reading this because you are trying to decide if you want to do a first look or not at your wedding. Or you might be trying to convince your significant other to do a first look! Either way, keep reading because this blog has lots of great information and of course some beautiful photos too!

Your Wedding Day

With so many moving parts on your wedding day, it is easy to get caught up in logistics, making sure your guests are enjoying themselves and ensuring your wedding photos are the perfection of which you’ve always dreamed of! With a skilled photographer, you won’t have to worry that much about how your photos will turn out, but as the bride, it’s hard to relinquish control. Remember, this is your wedding day. You’ve worked hard preparing and planning for this day. So relax knowing you have the right team in place and enjoy these beautiful moments! 

First Look Explained

A first-look is modern tradition couples are opting for in place of seeing their significant other for the first time at the ceremony. It is a moment filled with genuine emotions from the privacy of the two together for the first time. Let’s face it, this is the only alone time you two will get all day. The couple can relieve their nerves by seeing each other with no other eyes on them, except their trusted photographer capturing the idyllic moment. The photographer you choose for your wedding day is likely the photographer who shot your engagement photos, which allows room for the couple to still feel comfortable sharing their raw emotions. (Still haven’t done engagement photos? Check out this blog on why you should do an engagement session!)

Imagine having the first moment you see your soon-to-be spouse be the most intimate and genuine moment of your wedding with no rushing around. You would be able to enjoy the venue, the food, and the entertainment you and your wedding planner spent months coordinating. This would also allow you to have more images of you and your love, in your freshest faces, to cherish forever. That is the scenario you will have by choosing to have first-look wedding photos. 

For most, the feeling of people waiting for you to finish your wedding portraits to “get the party started” is a considerable stress-adder for couples. When it comes to taking your precious wedding photos, the last thing you want is to feel rushed. You want to be relaxed and in the moment with your groom. When you choose to take your photos after the ceremony, during cocktail hour, you risk feeling like you are missing out on your celebration.

Waiting To Take Photos During Cocktail Hour

Most cocktail hours are usually scheduled for an hour. It is very difficult to photograph bridal party portraits, family portraits and most importantly the bride & groom portraits! Couples that do choose to wait and see each other at the ceremony usually end up taking all photos during cocktail hour. No matter how much we prepare friends and family for this one hour, it always ends up like herding cats. Someone from the bridal party always has to use the bathroom which ends with their disappearance for 15 minutes. Then Grandma runs off and Aunt Betty leaves to go find her. Now we have spent 30 minutes of our time waiting on missing friends and family. Finally everyone is together and we knockout Bridal Party and Family portraits in 15-20 minutes! Then the coordinator comes by to let us know we have 10 minutes before the reception starts and we haven’t even started the most important pictures, the Bride & Groom portraits!!!! I promise you, you do not want this to happen at your wedding. The best way to alleviate all of this is by doing a First Look.

Despite what some may think, doing first-look wedding photos doesn’t make seeing each other at the ceremony any less overwhelmingly special. You have everyone you love in one room seeing you and your love connect at that moment, regardless if you have already seen each other before that moment.

Do You Want To See Your Groom Cry When He Sees You?

I always ask my Brides what is the most important moment to them on the wedding day… most of them say the exact same thing. They want their Groom’s expression of seeing their Bride for the first time captured. I hate to be the one to break it to you but most Groom’s do not cry at the ceremony. Want to know why? They have 200 people watching them. They are scared to death and more nervous than they will let on. But guess what?! It doesn’t have to be this way! If you want a genuine reaction from your Groom, he will be himself and let the tears shed at the First Look because no one else is watching. He gets to embrace his Bride and show his true feelings.

You Will Get More Photos!

You are investing a lot in your wedding photos! You deserve the best photos possible. With a First Look you will receive almost double the portraits of the two of you… You make the most out of this large investment and get the most for your money. You aren’t rushed during a First Look and we can spend as much time as you want getting to photograph all the beautiful locations your venue has to offer. And guess what?! There won’t be the “oh crap” moment when the coordinator comes by with a 10 minute warning and we haven’t even started yet.

This also allows you to extend your reception! You get to enjoy your cocktail hour if you choose too! Or start your reception sooner. Your guest will be stoked they don’t have to wait over an hour to see you. Your family and friends will thank you too. It is a win win for everyone.

I know First Looks aren’t for everyone and you are not required to do a First Look by any means! I only share this information because I want the BEST for my couples! It’s totally ok if couples choose not to share a first look. It is just my preference because of all the great benefits that come from doing one.

Xoxo,

Lauren


Maryland
Wedding Photographer

Hi there and thank you for stopping by! I am Lauren, the owner of Taylor’d Southern Events, a wedding and portrait photographer specializing in couples and families in Maryland & DC. I hope you found my blog feature I shared to be helpful. If you are interested in talking with me more about booking a session, let’s connect! Not quite ready but you know you will be interested in a session in the future? No problem! Follow me Instagram and lets be friends!

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