The First Look: Head to Toe

What is it, Should You Do One, How It Impacts Your Day & How To Plan It

‘The First Look’ has become a big trend in weddings over the last decade or so. It’s one that wedding photographers
love to capture and people love to see. As a wedding photographer, I always get asked two questions about it; “What
is a ‘First Look’” and “Should we do one?” So here’s everything you need to know about ‘The First Look’ from
head to toe.

What Is It?
Let’s start with what it is. Exactly what it sounds like, it’s a scheduled moment on your wedding day that gives you
and your fiance a chance to see each other before you walk down the aisle. It can be a private moment for just the
two of you, or it can be semi-private. I’ve seen many couples do their first look and have their family/wedding
party/whoever else they want watch from a distance. As a wedding photographer, I can say that it’s an incredible
moment no matter how you do it.

Should You Do One?
Deciding whether or not you should do a first look on your wedding day is tricky, it feels like yet another big
decision in the wedding planning. Thankfully though, there is really only one thing you need to consider when
deciding: are you and your partner more of a private couple or more of an open couple? Seeing your S.O for the
first time coming down the aisle can be a pretty daunting moment for some people and the best moment for others.
If you picture your day and get nervous about walking down the aisle in front of all of your family & friends then
scheduling out a first look is the perfect idea for you. Plus, the first look can be a really intimate moment for a
couple to share together. On the other hand though, if you can just imagine how you’ll feel walking down the aisle,
having your S.O- and all of your guests- see you for the first time then deciding not to have a first look is the better
option. I’ll also say that if you are one that is hoping your S.O will cry when they see you, it’s much more likely to
happen in a private moment than a public one!

How It Impacts Your Day
The biggest way having a first look will impact your day is in the day-of schedule. If you decide to have a first look,
my best recommendation is to move every pre-ceremony event up to begin at least 1hr- 1.5hrs earlier. Meaning, you
start getting ready an hour earlier, your vendors arrive an hour earlier, your photographer- especially- will need to
arrive an hour earlier. The last thing you want is a forcibly rushed moment, you’ll want to take your time during
your first look and really take it in. Honestly, it’s the first moment of the day where the feeling of ‘we’re actually
getting married!’ sinks in, so give yourself time to enjoy that!

How To Plan It
I’m going to break this down step-by-step the same way I tell it to my couples when we walk through their plan for
the day and walk the venue together.
– Make sure your schedule allows enough time for the first look. I like to arrive 2hrs before the ceremony
when I have a couple that wants a first look. This gives me plenty of time to take detailed shots, ‘getting
ready’ photos and separate bridal party photos.
– Walk the venue before the wedding- preferably with your photographer- and decide in advance where the
first look will take place. That way on the day your photographer can set up your audience to watch or keep
the audience away from that area.
– Communicate with your other vendors about timing and location. This is especially important if your first
look is happening anywhere that decor is being set up. If your first look is not in an area where decor is
being set up, then the most important person to communicate with is your planner or day-of coordinator.
– Be ready early and make sure you have EVERY piece of your wedding-day look. From the veil to the
bouquet to the boutonniere, if you are wearing it for the ceremony make sure it’s on for the first look!
– Enjoy it, like I said it’s the first moment that the wedding starts to feel real so take it in, and just enjoy!

The First Look(s)
Like anything else on a wedding day, there are no set rules for what a first look should be. You can have a first look
with your parents, your grandparents, your bridesmaids, your groomsmen, your dog- the list goes on. If someone
matters to you and you want to capture the moment they see you for the first time, then go for it! The thing that is
really important is that you experience all of the big, raw, genuine emotions that go along with a wedding. The first
look is one of those moments so however you decide to do it, it’ll be a beautiful memory from your big day so make
it count!

There you have it, everything you need to know about ‘The First Look’ all in one place. Happy wedding planning!

Emily
Roaming Photo