Is a First Look Right for You?

Hi, dear friends. First looks are a hot topic for so many couples, and I’m here today to help you make the right decision for what works best for your wedding day, and for you and your partner!!!

So what’s a first look you ask?? It’s that intimate moment between the couple before the wedding ceremony. It’s those sweet minutes where she sneaks up behind him and they see each other for the first time. The groom admires his bride in her pretty white dress, they embrace, and tears are usually shed (or happy dancing commences!!) It’s an intimate moment shared between before walking down the aisle. It is MAGIC!

First looks may be a bit unconventional (the groom seeing the bride before the ceremony, that’s crazy talk right?!) Wrong! I’m here to tell you it’s actually the best thing ever!! As a wedding photographer I maaay be slightly biased toward prioritizing photography, but hear me out. Keith and I chose to do a first look at our wedding and it’s honestly my favorite memory of the day.

If you’re on the fence on whether or not a first look is right for you, here are a few questions to ask yourself!

DO YOU WANT A CHANCE TO BE ALONE AS A COUPLE?

Your wedding day will undoubtedly be a whirlwind of guests, vendors, bridesmaids, and family all clamoring for your attention. You’ll be pulled in every direction and the wedding will fly by leaving you in a lovely tailspin.

A first look is a perfect opportunity to get away, just you and your groom, and soak it all in. It’s a chance to grab some fresh air and just enjoy a moment of peace. Think of it as a slice of the day that is just YOURS!!

DO YOU WANT TO TAKE SOME PRESSURE OFF?

Wedding days can leave couples on edge (after all, it’s one of the biggest days of your life!) I know what you’re thinking – “Not me, I’ll be a chill bride! No nerves here!” Bust trust me, there will be some jitters. I don’t mean nervousness in the sense of the actual marriage… I mean nerves that come with being the center of attention.

Seeing one another before the ceremony gives you a chance to react organically. Cry, laugh, twirl, hug, do whatever feels right without hundreds pairs of eyes on you!! A first look takes off that pressure to perform and sets a wonderfully laid-back tone for the rest of the day!

DO YOU WANT TO ATTEND YOUR COCKTAIL HOUR?

You’ve put endless thought into picking out each elaborate hors d’oeuvre. You’ve hired a live band. You’ve designed pretty centerpieces for every table. Your family and friends are all gathered around, sharing hugs and clinking glasses. Do you really want to miss out on this magic?? I didn’t think so! Getting first look portraits out of the way frees up time to enjoy a glass of bubbly and catch up with your favorite people during cocktail hour!  

DO YOU WANT MORE PORTRAITS ON YOUR WEDDING DAY?

If you do a first look, you’ll naturally get more photos! Sounds great, right?? And trust me; these will be the shots you frame, the ones you post on social media first thing after the wedding. Photography is an investment, so more time with your photographer means more bang for your buck. It’s really a win-win!

To sum it up, don’t be hasty to write off a first look because it’s a bit “un-traditional”. Instead, do what feels right for you as a couple! If a first look is on your heart, let’s do this. I want to help make your day perfect. So let me know – would you do a first look?  If you’re married, did you decide on a first look or did you skip it, and what was your experience??

Xo,

Rach

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Thank you so much for stopping by my blog. On these pages, you’ll tour some of my favorite destination wedding galleries, learn more about me, and (if you’re a photographer) get a behind-the-scenes look at workshops + education opportunities. 

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Delivering an effortless experience for joy-filled couples in love who are inspired by and drawn to the world’s beauty.

Rachael Kazmier is an…

AWARD-WINNING DESTINATION WEDDING FILM PHOTOGRAPHER 

Snapshots from a destination wedding photographer & lifelong traveler.