This is a question a lot of bride and grooms have when planning their wedding. Some know the answer immediately and some need to think about it awhile.

For those that don’t know, a “first look” is when the bride and groom set up a time before the ceremony to see each other alone. The photographer is often there is capture this priceless moment for the couple.

This is your wedding, and if there is a certain way that feels “right,” that is probably what you should go with, but I will share some of my thoughts on both sides if you are having trouble deciding.

Why you may want to stick with tradition:

Often times brides don’t want to lose that look in the groom’s face when she is walking down the aisle; they want that moment of the bride walking through the doors to be a huge, perfect, memorable moment (this is why I, myself chose to not do a first look). Many couples opt to not see each other for this reason. Another reason is just simply following tradition.

Why you may want to break with tradition and have a first look:

After having decided against a first look myself, I do something regret not having those photos of those first (and really only) moments alone together with my husband. I don’t honestly feel that seeing each other before the ceremony would have made the walk down the aisle any less memorable or special.

Another reason to see each other before the ceremony: it completely changes the flow of your wedding day. If you choose to see each other first, you can do all your formal photos beforehand. This means no lining up bridesmaids and grandmas for an hour or more after the ceremony- you get to just go enjoy. Some couples still choose to do family formals after, but can do bridal party portraits beforehand since the bride and groom have seen each other anyway. Some couples still wait for all formal photos, but use this as a time to just capture their own photos together.

Which leads me to my final reason to consider a first look. Time alone. I honestly had zero time alone with my husband on our wedding day. The first look sets aside that time for a couple to make sure they get time together without distractions. During my first looks, I will usually capture the moment, then step away for a few minutes so the couple is truly alone to enjoy the moment.

If you’re torn, you could still choose to meet, but not see each other. (As April and James did at their wedding last October). This way you still get a time to calm each other’s nerves and relax, but still have that “moment” of the bride walking down the aisle and first seeing the groom.

 

www.alisha-Marie.com