If you have been planning your wedding or in a wedding recently you may have heard and even seen "The First Look".  Simply put, for those who aren't aware of this term, it's when the bride and groom see one another before the ceremony on their wedding day.  The first look is contrary to tradition when the groom would only get to see his bride, in her dress, for the first time as she walks down the isle to greet him at the alter.  So, Is the first look right for you?    

There are a few points to consider when answering this question for yourself.  Yes, a first look does allow for the opportunity to capture additional portraits and candid moments.  And, depending on the timeline created between you and your photographer you could even use this time to get all of those family formal photos taken care of prior to the ceremony, when everyone is their freshest...especially with an outdoor ceremony.  This may also be ideal in your timeline if you have chosen a ceremony that takes place right before sunset leaving you and your photographer with limited natural lighting conditions to capture your portraits afterwards.  All this said, I personally think there is a more sentimental reason for doing a first look.    

What I love about the first look is the chance for you and your fiancé to have a quiet moment when you both get to see one another and take everything in without distractions.  You are alone, without the pressure of anyone else around.  You can reflect why you are here to marry this person in the first place.  Often times it can help calm your butterflies and amplify excitement you are feeling together about what is to shortly take place.  It's about looking at your fiancé and saying, "You look absolutely stunning and I am so lucky that you are here with me today, I am going to marry you and I cannot wait!".  This is the real reason, I believe, and if you feel this way perhaps it's right for you.  And while this moment unfolds around you and your emotion is high we are grabbing real images only possible with the careful orchestration of a first look.

So when deciding if a first look is right for you, remember that it's not just a great way to get more bride and groom photographs but about having a collected moment together, alone, in the seconds before you take to the alter and say I do.    

First LookIs a first look right for you? First LookIs a first look right for you? First LookIs a first look right for you? First LookIs a first look right for you? First LookIs a first look right for you? First LookIs a first look right for you?

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