Hey there all you awesome blog visitors! Last weekend, Holly and Matt started their big day together with a “First Look”. The traditional wedding day set-up is when the couple will get ready, get married, take photos and then head to the reception. The first look option is just another way to plan your wedding day. This option has been growing in popularity over the last two years and I see it growing more as I book clients for 2010, 2011 and 2012. It does have it’s advantages over the traditional set-up but there is absolutely nothing wrong with keeping things old school. Most clients I meet with have already made the decision to do it like this, while some others decide to change their plans after realizing it might help the flow of their day. On the flip side, there are many couples that have dreamed to see each other at the ceremony for the first time their entire lives… if that is the case… I always recommend following your dreams. As a wedding photographer I get to see all types of weddings and I capture the love from start to finish regardless of how it is set up:)
So one obvious advantage to seeing each other before the ceremony is your guests can go from the ceremony right into the reception without that long wait in between. From my experience, the greatest advantage is how it makes the day more relaxing and less-stressful for the Bride and Groom. The Bride and Groom can get ready, see each other, have fun taking photos, then go to the ceremony, take family formals and head to the reception. The ceremony and family formals can be very tiring for the bride and groom so it can be nice to keep most of your energy for the time you get to spend and interact with each other:) (and take photos!!!) From what I have seen, there is nothing “lost” in this process… the emotions at the ceremony are still flowing at high speed after spending the day together. The actual first look moment is so much fun to capture!!! It always makes for a beautiful storytelling spread in the final album:):) I try to view it as a scene from a movie and always try to keep everything in one shot. I love how private and romantic it is! Check out some pics below from Holy & Matt’s wedding day plus a cool video from some other weddings from 2009.
So should you do this for your wedding??? It depends… my advice to couples is always do what makes sense for you:) If you have an early ceremony with a late reception, it makes sense to do the photos in between. If you have a later ceremony with a reception close to it… the first look is a great alternative to give you more time for photos and to enjoy the day. In the end, no mater how you plan your day… you will look at the photos and remember it as the best day of your life! Are there more options to taking awesome photos in a relaxing environment??? Yes… The Day After Session… I will tell you all about that soon:):) Thanks and Enjoy!
The First Look from Curtis Moore on Vimeo.
