The bride's big reveal is perhaps the most anticipated moment of the wedding day. So, should the groom's first look at his very-soon-to-be-wife, be private and intimate prior to the ceremony? Or, should it be as the crowd stands and she appears at the peak of the aisle, with her father in arm?
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I think the private first look is a great way to create a very intimate and emotional moment between the two most important people that day. It also allows the photographer a bit of control and creativity in an otherwise hectic day.
ReplyDeleteAlthough, if the couple wants to go more traditional and/or are superstitious then it is not something to try to push on the client during initial meetings.
Love your work btw, great stuff.
Thanks Justin!
DeleteI love having the first look prior to the ceremony. Both as a photographer and as the bride! My husband and I got married October 2nd and our ceremony wasn't until 6pm. We wanted to not only enjoy the cocktail hour and be able to socialize with our guests, but we wanted to have enough time to have the photos done. PLUS my husband was so nervous it was best have that moment before hand so it was just the two of us (and the photographer) to shake the nerves out before the big "I DO".
ReplyDeleteAs a photographer I love having the first look prior because we have more time for amazing photographs and some amazing moments between the bride and groom. It seems to make the day go smoother.
I personally didn't really have a first look; many of my guests saw me prior to the ceremony taking pictures at the hotel with my bridesmaids. But my to-be-husband (now ex) had already been sent to the ceremony location prior to me getting to the hotel so he did not see me until the trolley pulled up to the beach! Something odd that I did do was, only my mom & matron-of-honor saw my dress prior to the big day! If I get married again, I will definitely do a first look, I think it’s romantic and very private time.
ReplyDeleteCall me old fashion in a young soul but personal preference sides with first peeks to be at the beginning of the ceremony (nothing to do with superstition). I can understand the tension that builds at a wedding scheduled later in the day but say with most couples already living together, what does a few hours away from each other going to do? Again, my personal preference.
ReplyDeleteI think first looks are epic. It gives you time to see your S.O. before anyone else does, you get a private moment, and best of all, you are not rushed for pictures! The emotions captured are different than seeing each other the first time coming down the aisle. Im not much for tradition anyways. But I don't think that a first look takes away from seeing them walk down the aisle at all. If my husband and I had a more formal wedding (we had a handfasting that we planned in two weeks!), then hell yeah we would do a first look!
ReplyDeleteFirst look. The day is about the love of the two people getting married. Take away the cake, the venue, the dress, the friends and family... when all the fancy, frilly things are stripped away... it's just the couple and how in love they are. It's a new twist on something traditional... and I think it's best shared privately. Something special for just the two of them.
ReplyDeleteFor my husband and myself, there was no question we would see each other privately before the ceremony. We wanted to have that one singular moment where it was just us on our day. Granted people had seen me all morning as I got ready and I know people saw my husband as well but once we saw each other for the first time it was real. Not only was it special but it also made sense for us. We are not traditional, we were married at our venue on the water, so by seeing each other before we were able to go take photos somewhere besides our venue. I think ultimately it's your own decision but for us it was perfect and a very special moment to look back on.
ReplyDeleteI love the private first look before the wedding and love the photos you have that capture that moment forever for the couple. I personally plan on getting ready with my bride to be and walking down the isle with her - but that's just me.
ReplyDeleteHmm, I loved the way we did it, the "traditional" way, but I know a lot of brides who felt like they could relax a little easier seeing the groom first, so I say, whatever works!
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to convince my fiance to do a private first look, but he's leaning more traditional. I want it to be romantic and just the two of us, and the photographer of course. But that takes away a little stress and we can get a lot of photos out of the way before the ceremony.
ReplyDeleteI'm leaning toward a staged first look for a few different reasons. I will probably throw up due to nerves and excitement if I don't get the first look out of the way. haha! I want to have photos all taken care of before we get married so we can go straight from the ceremony to the reception. We're looking at a 4 hour dinner reception so I don't want to miss ANY of it! :) We'll still get the looks as we walk down the isle! Oh and because I'm thinking late september, we'd lose light fast so get it done before then just enjoy and party/relax after!
ReplyDeleteI would have loved to have done a first look before the ceremony. Hubby was set on not seeing me before the ceremony (the "bad luck") thing, but really who cares? It would have been nice to have gotten that private moment alone to capture his reaction to me (what I got from him after the ceremony was "Wow you look REALLY good", lol).
ReplyDeleteI did enjoy walking down the aisle with my dad and everyone seeing me for the first time though!
My husband and I really enjoyed sharing our "first look" before the ceremony. Especially important since my husband has a vision impairment and needs to be up close to get a good look. Our first look pics were great too - yeah, Mike took those!
ReplyDeleteI think having a private session before the ceremony is the way to go. You get extra time for photos before the ceremony (when your nerves at their peak...) and you get a little private time before everyone is pulling the two of you back and forth to say congratulations. Its also a nice moment to have a little peace and quiet before things get crazy and fun for the night/day.
ReplyDeleteGreat work as always - love looking through all your photos: both tattooed brides/grooms and your tattoo stories!
Thanks Stephanie~
DeleteI love the idea of the traditional first look as youre walking down the aisle! But then I plan to sneak away with my grooom privately before the reception to take in the day!
ReplyDeletethis is one of the biggest debates i can think of with weddings, i feel like it really depends on the couple. and even sometimes the family. do you have a father, is he the kind that's dreamed and boasted about walking his little girl down the aisle and being part of the "ahhhhh" moment, or are you more concerned with those priceless, jaw dropping romantic photos that you'll be able to capture by having a First See. i personally love the idea of ((future groom)) being just as antsy and anticipating me walking down and creating a huge aww moment, but... as a young photographer,
ReplyDeletemy first priority is the photos. i want those private romantic first see glimpse, to have a photographer be there to capture such a precious moment, without crowds of people in the photo, snapping shitty iphone picks..
in other words.... theres no right or wrong way to do this "tradition" if you want to break it, do so.
so..
theres my take.
ps; last photo on here is g o r g e o u s.
I've never heard of anyone doing a private first look but I actually love that idea! Everyone's looking at the bride when she comes out anyway so not many people are gonna see gis reaction.
ReplyDeleteI think both have special meanings. I love how the first look let's the couple have a few mintues just them to share together. But there is nothing better than the grooms face when the bride comes in! I do like the new holding hands behind the door too!
ReplyDeleteIm getting married this November & will be going traditional. It will be the one of the most important days of our life. And i want it to be a surprise...to see his first reaction & look. I have seen some photos, and the groom is blind folded & they get to kiss & talk a lil before the wedding. Im prob. Gonna have thatdone also
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of a private first look between the bride and groom. It is such a big moment between the couple that it deserves a moment of solitude. Whether they choose to have a photographer there to capture the moment or not is between them but I do love the photos that come from that first look.
ReplyDeleteThese are amazing... as usual!!!!! :) You like to have fun as a photographer... Good to see this in your photos!!!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely...I have the best job in the world. Thanks!
DeleteI am a big fan of First Look, but I shoot here in the south. It seems like noone likes it in the south. Stupid superstitions!
ReplyDeleteJill (www.frayededgeconcepts.com)
I'm kinda old-school on this concept. Some traditions I could throw out the window, but I can't let him see me that whole day even! I can't wait to see his jaw drop as my father and grandfather walk me down the aisle. Yes, I'm having my grandfather walk with me also. He and I are very close and it's my way of including him and making him a special part of my wedding. I love that old fart!
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