You may be hearing about a trend where the bride and groom see each other before the wedding. What?! But isn’t that bad luck?! I think we can all agree that a lot of weddings these days aren’t traditional. Brides wear colored dresses, couples get married in art museums and dogs are ring bearers.

As someone who was once a groom I can tell you the first look at our wedding was my wife and I’s favorite moment. I had photographed a wedding the week before and they wanted to do it. It was the first time I had gotten the request. I came home that night and told my wife I wanted to do it at our wedding the following week. She was a little traditional so I wasn’t sure how she’d respond. Thankfully, she said if that’s what you want let’s do it!

(My wife and I’s first look!)

As a wedding photographer we often get the question “should I do a first look?” The answer is: it’s completely up to you! But perhaps some insight into what it is will help you to make a clear decision.

We’ve had couples invite their bridal party and parents to watch the first look, others invite each of their best friends or siblings and other couples just go, the two of them with the photographers.

There are few different ways to do it. Usually, the bride will walk up behind the groom, who is facing away, and either stay about 10 feet back and when they are ready they tell the groom “turn around” or the bride can walk up behind the groom and tap him on the shoulder so he can turn around.

You may be wondering why a couple would want to do this instead of the normal walking down the aisle. Again, preference, but it helps the big aisle moment to be WAY less stressful. Plus the day is all about the two of you so shouldn’t you get to see your bride first before the 200 people in the audience. Uncle Bob sticking his head out in the aisle with his iPad isn’t exactly a precious moment. So, it gives you two an intimate moment and helps ease the stress some.

 

When couples ask if they should do it, I always say if you are both willing I always suggest it! Hope this helps you in your decision!

Best Wishes!

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