You’re planning a wedding!! The most exciting and best news ever. But, I also know that it can be stressful. With so many options, often times it is difficult to narrow down what you love, what don’t love, and which options you really do not have an opinion about.
The best part- these days there are few “rules” to the perfect wedding. The difficult part- there really are few “rules” to the perfect wedding. Haha! So, let’s chat about one of the most important pieces of creating your wedding day timeline: The First Look.
One of the first topics I tackle with each Westland Farms couple when helping them lay-out their wedding day timeline. Understanding the answer to this question is SO important, allowing me to best flow the picture times of their wedding day.
Until recent years, seeing your fiancé dressed in their wedding day attire ahead of the steps down the aisle was considered bad luck. But, a movement away from tradition and the want for a more expedient time between the wedding ceremony and reception has many couples choosing to see one another ahead of the trip down the aisle. This time spent together ahead of the ceremony is what we call the First Look.
Growing in popularity over the past 10 years, there have been many creative First Look ideas come into place. And, these ideas have since extended to creating special “first look” moments for more than just the wedding couple. Today, we see First Looks not only between the wedding couple, but also between the couple and their parents, wedding party, and other special guests and family members.
While scheduling a First Look on their wedding day is certainly not for everyone {I have to LOVE the tradition and excitement of emotion that come with that first line of sight as a Bride comes into her Groom’s view…get’s me Every. Single. Time.}, it certainly has some pros.
If you choose to incorporate a First Look, or two, into your wedding day- here are Westland Farms Studio thoughts and experiences on the types of First Look moments I have been a part of ::
A Heartfelt Time with Mom or Dad
These moments have brought on some of the biggest tears of my wedding photography career, kidd-you-not. Perhaps your mom or dad had the opportunity to help in the “getting ready” phase of your wedding day, participating in the laughs, excitement, and stories between you and your wedding party. Such an awesome gift! But, for many brides, Dad wasn’t part of this time. And, vice versa for many grooms.
Scheduling a time for Mom to see her son dressed and ready for the day or a Dad to see his baby girl prepared to say I-Do, provides these incredibly important people time to cherish time with their children. And, it gives the brides and grooms time to truly honor their parent. And, well, it makes for some super sweet photo moments, too.
Share a few Extra Smiles with Your Bridal Party
So, these girls are your tribe. You have asked them to stand with you on your wedding day because they stood with you through every other important moment in your life. And, it is likely that many of them have helped you plan the moments that have lead up to this most exciting day.
Set some time aside to share a first look with your gals. Just make sure we are there with our cameras!
(photo credit above: Crystal Madsen)
Take Time to Share Those First Moments Alone
The classic, most well-known first-look photo session is one you take part in with your partner. Of course you may spend every day together already, but you have yet to see one another as a stunning bride and handsome groom. A first look allows you to be together and alone on your wedding day. The emotions revealed in that moment should be your moments! Smiles, nervous laughs, tears of happiness…these expressions will add so much love to your collection of wedding photos.
Adding a little bit of time to the early part of your wedding day timeline gives everyone a little moment to breath, be still with the people that are present, and share a few emotional moments quietly before the remainder of the gorgeous day begins. And, these days promise to reward with gorgeous wedding images.
Until Next Time~
Sarah Keenan, Westland Farms Studio
