The first look is a very personal decision for each bride but before you make yours I want to make sure you see it from all sides. I love first looks because it allows to photograph you two, the bridal party, and the family in a very relaxed way. By front loading the day with portraits the rest of the event is much more relaxed and stress free. Not only does it simplify the day but it allows us to capture the beautiful moments that you may not have standing up in front of 200+ guests. We commonly find that by doing a first look couples let their guard down more and let themselves “feel” more. We also find that they are free to tell each other how excited they are and how much they love each other when they are finally face to face for the first time. This is of course slightly different at the church where you’re not allowed to say anything, and can only face in a certain direction. In short we love it because of the freedom that it gives us on the wedding day but most of all because of the emotion that we are able to capture.

Now if you’re slightly superstitious, consider this. The tradition of not seeing the bride before the ceremony actually comes arranged marriages. The theory was that if the groom saw the bride before the ceremony and didn’t like what he saw he then had the opportunity to run away. Since your groom was the one that put that gorgeous rock on your hand I don’t think he’ll be running anywhere, except maybe towards you after he sees you in that stunning wedding dress.

Lauren:
“I loved doing the first look, It was a great chance for us to have a private moment and also to experience some of the raw emotions that came with the whole day. It also helped both of us keep it together emotionally at the ceremony. I believe the first look made the ceremony even better. We were emotionally more stable and the emotion of the ceremony was still very present if only because now we were seeing each other in a different fashion and with everyone else around. I think we’re less traditional, and we did have the fun of not seeing each other or talking from late Friday night through our first look, so we kept up tradition in a sense, but overall I think there’s something beautiful about have that private moment together to be giddy and excited for what’s about to happen and we’re both definitely glad we did. We’re best friends – it’s basically impossible to not see your best friend before something like that, lol.”

Sarabeth:
“Where to start….we loved everything about the first look! We chose to do it because I knew there was no way I’d be able to walk down the aisle and not burst with excitement if I didn’t get to see him before and just talk. It was so nice to be able to exchange that emotion without anyone else around. It also helped to calm me for the ceremony. I was never nervous about the ceremony, I was just anxious to get rolling. When I saw Joe, it just relaxed me and made me more excited than anything. The feeling I had before walking outside to see my future husband is one that I remember vividly and because of that, I am so happy we chose to do a first look. Those pictures are some of my favorite from the entire day!”

Kate:
“I am so glad Orion and I did the first look… First of all, I loved the photos that we were able to get. More than that, it was a very intimate moment for us. We really wanted that time to ourselves…. to be emotional if that is what would happen or to just take it all in. I also think it helps with the ‘jitters’ per say…before walking down the isle. I know a lot of people say ‘no’ because of the “tradition”. However, when you helped me learn what the “tradition” was really about… it was a no brainer. Orion and I both wanted to do the first look. Such a great opportunity for photos and to have a ‘special moment’ together.”

If you decide to do a first look there are 3 types
1. Just the two of you (allow about 20 min)
2. The two of you and your family formals, My personal Favorite (allow 30-40 min)
3. The two of you, your bridal party, and all family formals (allow about an hour)

-David-

One of the things that I love about my job is the photos that we take of the bridal parties, those photos when you get away from the formal parts of the day and you can just have fun with your girls or your guys. It is that point in the day where you’ve just finished with the ceremony and the formals and everyone is on an emotional high. There is so much energy and life and love going around. Add on to that a bride and groom in love, dapper men, and lovely girls and you have one awesome shoot. I always encourage getting away from it all too, leave everyone behind and get away from the guests, the parents, and the formality of the day. Try to come up with another location close by that we can use (preferably a nice shaded spot) that we can spend part of the cocktail hour getting some great bridal party shots. 15-20 minutes for the bridal party and 15-20 minutes for the two of you and we’ll have some beautiful photos of everyone. It will also allow you two to just breathe and realize that you’ve just taken the biggest step of your life so far, and having a moment to let that soak in can mean so much on a day that flies by.

-David-

I always encourage using props in an engagement session it is a great way to personalize a shoot. Think of things you like to do together like deep sea fishing, camping, or just enjoying a great cup of coffee together. It can be as simple as a sign or as elaborate as a fully stylized shoot (my personal favorite) but what ever you decide to do. Try to find a way to make it your own, I firmly believe that engagement photos are best when they are about who you are rather than just pretty photos.

-David-