To Look or Not To Look? A Photographers Guild To The First Look. A Gatsby Icehouse Wedding. All you need to know about the “ First Look” is here!

Hello! I am glad you are here. This blog feature is a guide for couples trying to decide if they want to have a first look.

Today I’m also showcasing a sneak peek for Jessica & Brandon’s super fun and Gatsby themed wedding at the Icehouse in Phoenix.

You might be asking “Ummm what’s a first look?”

Oh you know… another hot topic wedding buzz word. lol. Essentially a first look is when the couple sees each other before the ceremony. Usually, it’s private with only media coverage. So your photographer and videographer only.

Today I am going to discuss all the pros and con’s from the photographer perspective so you can decide to look or not to look. 

Let’s start with the con list… because let’s be honest… it’s SHORT but totally valid! So here are two reasons to NOT have a first look.

1. Sentiment, Tradition, & Bad Luck

The history/tradition of seeing each other down the aisle for the first time:

A long time ago when ALL marriages were arranged, betroths couples couldn’t see each other before the wedding at all! It was a business deal between families for financial and peace reasons. So this tradition of seeing each other for the first time down that isle is a very ancient tradition. But is it still relevant? 

Besides the arranged marriage culture (sometimes you might still have an arranged marriage. And that’s okay if you are okay with it!) Regardless, there is a long-standing traditional idea that it’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the ceremony.

Whatever your case may be, maybe your whole life you envisioned your perfect wedding by seeing him or her for the first time down that long aisle, and suddenly your photographers like “ actually hold that thought”.  Maybe you are now outraged by the idea. lol. You are sentimental and traditional. That is totally okay! So you shouldn’t do a first look and ruin your beautiful vision. If that moment is important to you, then stand firm 🙂 Your photographer should be willing to work with you and give you alternative ideas.

2. Possible Mid Day Light

This con is really only for one scenario.  Maybe you are having a middle of the day wedding and a first look time would land at noon. Well, every  photographer knows the hours surrounding noon are terrible for lighting. Direct overhead sun without shade to hide can be brutal on skin tone, create deep wrinkle lines and raccoon eyes. And no one wants that memory forever. So maybe you simply keep the portraits post ceremony for softer light. Skip the first look!

Now let’s hang out for a few minutes in the pro camp!

1. Peace & Quiet

Consider the fact that your wedding day is so emotionally charged, you have been planning this giant party for months or years, and it’s finally here. You are going to be in a whirlwind with over a hundred people. You will have a hard time finding even a moment of quiet and peace to settle and be present. This is the number one reason I recommend a first look. This is such a beautiful way to start your wedding day. The very first thing you do is start the day together. See each other in a moment of quiet and calm. Hold hands and walking into this day and life together!

2. Time. Money, & Stress Saver

The first look will save you five headaches and loads of time. If you don’t have a first look you will most likely divide up your portraits into two different times. Meaning that you will be organizing people twice pre- and post portraits. This means bridal party, kids, families, will have to know where to go two different times. Changes get high and they won’t be on time. You will be juggling the bride and groom attempting to not bump into each other and doubling your time needed with your photographer.

By having a first look you save yourself time and stress. You also save your guests a 1-2 hour gap between the ceremony & reception.  You will still need to do some larger group family photos post ceremony but all the other smaller groups can be done ahead of time. Freeing you up to enjoy your cocktail hour or skip it and save money!

3. Consider The Sun

Many times couples don’t know much about the position of the sun and how it affect photography. And why the heck would they???? I meant I’m the expert and this is my 120th wedding and their first. lol. It’s my job.

This is why I help my couples with their timeline. Most of my clients hire me because they love my photography. The style and feel of the work I produce. The main way I produce the best work is by having control over lighting and having enough time to capture what I need to tell the story of the wedding day.  Many couples have a late ceremony and then simply don’t realize the sun is setting as they are walking out of the ceremony. To capture those beautifully lit and airy images we are looking at portraits at least 2 hours before sunset. If you want those and you want to have all the moments we, unless you have 2 hours after the ceremony before the sun sets, you should do a first look. 

I’m thrilled when my clients trust me.

Today’s weddings is a great example of how a couple chose to trust me with their timeline and arranging a first look. Originally Jessica and Brandon where going to not have one, but then I encouraged them to reconsider because their ceremony ended about 15 minutes before the sunset. The venue was already a darker city location so buildings would have cut off most of our light. You can see we had just enough light to capture the post ceremony portraits but we had a race with the sun. 

I’m so glad they did, because the day turned out perfectly and everything is gorgeous! Thank you guys for letting me do my thing. I think you will be incredibly pleased with these memories 🙂 

To Look or Not To Look? A Photographers Guild To The First Look. A Gatsby Icehouse Wedding.

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