Ensley & Payton

I have confessed my deep love the "First Looks" numerous times and I tend to point them out in every meeting with clients or in blogs or conversations with couples, who have many questions about the matter. There is a reason for this! They are AWESOME! However, not everyone is aware of how awesome they are, because they get caught up in how "non-traditional" it is and they immediately write it off. I can talk about those brides because I too was a bride with my heart set on "tradition." So many brides want their groom REACTION...and let's face it. It's so romantic to imagine him crumbling to his knees at the first sight of you coming down the aisle, right? 
What so many don't realize is that having a first look earlier in the day does NOT DETRACT from him seeing you come down the aisle at the ceremony! So many grooms are emotional at the private first look and are equally emotional when he sees her coming down the aisle at the ceremony too. The ceremony moment is more of "it just got real" moment when the beautiful bride makes her entrance where as the emotions during the private first look are more romantic, but tearful just the same. You could say, you get the best of both situations when you have a first look!
After my own wedding and shooting countless others...I've come to this conclusion. Some brides love "traditions"... but what a bride REALLY wants when it comes to her groom seeing her for the first time, is a R E A C T I O N! 
Those who are not interested in a First Look usually think that by seeing each other beforehand, they will lose part of that reaction. They also assume that it will not be as emotional or as intimate as it would be if they were coming down the aisle. 
Everyone knows that wedding days are a bit stressful for the bride and groom. The whole day is focused on them, they need to look their best, be on time, the groom has no idea which side the boutonniere is supposed to go on and little by little...the tension grows. 
It's before the ceremony and the gravity of what is about to happen starts to sink in and the calm, collected groom who was playing golf just a few hours ago is now starting to feel a little more anxious. So what happens next? The groom waits in a little room somewhere for his que from the coordinator. It seems like it's taking FOREVER. Finally, she leans her head in and hurries the groom to get ready. With clammy hands, the groom enters the ceremony and what does he find?... he finds anywhere from 80-300 people and they're ALL LOOKING WHERE? Right at HIS FACE!... because everyone, EVERYONE, has expectations and anticipation about his first reaction when he sees her!
                                                  This is the farthest thing from a (private) intimate moment! 
Sure, it's SO powerful and SO wonderful. Walking down the aisle is one of the best parts of the wedding day! It's magical! ...But when he has had a first look with his bride earlier in the day, the nerves aren't as bad and he won't be a wreck and can fully enjoy the moment!
He has spent the morning with you and his best friends and the pressure is off and he is able to enjoy your beautiful day!
The nerves are gone and when the nerves are gone...TRUE EMOTIONS are free to be experienced!!

Darby &
Jacob

FIRST LOOK

Why it's Worth It

40% MORE PORTRAITS

your only alone time

diminishes nerves

extend your day by 3 hours

enjoy the surprise freely

You're investing a lot into your wedding photography. With a first look, you'll receive 40% MORE portraits of the two of you... and those are the images you will decorate your first home with! (Believe me, our house is PACKED full of our portraits!) With a first look, you make the most out of this large investment and get the most of your money!

You actually get to have intimate time on your wedding day with your man! Most brides don't realize that when you come down the aisle and totally SHOCK him with your gorgeous-ness he can't even tell you how amazing you look. He can't touch you, embrace you or even SPEAK to you! You have to wait until 30 minutes later when the ceremony is over for hi to react and tell you how amazing you look. And after 30 minutes of the ceremony, the reaction isn't the same as the initial first glance.

First looks allow you to extend your wedding day! Normally the wedding day would start when you come down the aisle, then the ceremony would end, you would rush through portraits, so that you're not late for the introductions and then it's reception time. With a first look, your wedding day is extended by almost 3 hours! Instead of being rushed for your bridal party portraits... you actually get to enjoy them and have fun hanging out with your BEST friends on your wedding day. The WHOLE first half of my client's wedding albums are filled with images just from this time together before the ceremony!

First looks allow you to be TOGETHER and ALONE on YOUR wedding day! Not only is this time for you two intimate, it is your only time alone together for the whole day - unless you have a private dinner, in which you have to wait hours until after the ceremony, after portraits, after family and bridal party portraits... It's a long time to not be ALONE! When you have a first look, you're ready to love on eachother and I always capture some super sweet, candid moments!

You get rid of your nerves!! I'd say, literally 1/2 of my couples who have decided to do a first look, the grooms were not fans of it at first. HOWEVER, because they have never experienced their wedding day before, they didn't know how nerve racking it can be. I have testimonials from so many grooms who initially weren't a fan of the first look...but afterwards admitted to being SO MUCH MORE RELAXED and ready for the ceremony and to enjoy their bride and friends.