TO FIRST LOOK OR NOT?

First Look: /fərst/ /lo͝ok/ verb - when a bride and groom see each other before the wedding ceremony. This is done alone, away from your wedding party, and it is a moment shared by just the two of you captured by a photographer. 

To first look or not? 

There are pros and cons to any decision that you make, but when it comes to first look I am all for it.

Wedding days go by fast. So so so fast. I can't even tell you how many times I've heard just that. Especially when you put into perspective how many hours are put into the planning of the wedding and then the wedding day itself is just one day and usually from ceremony start time to reception end time it's a whopping 5-6 hours. That's it. That means only 5-6 hours of hanging out with your fiance-turned-husband while also hanging out with all of your family and friends. With a first look you get extra time before the wedding festivities to just be together and enjoy each other's company. I mean... the reason you're at the wedding is because you found that one person you want to spend the rest of your life with so why not take a few hours before the wedding to spend some time with them and celebrate your love for one another? And think... if you do your photos before that means you can get to the cocktail hour sooner and enjoy all the festivities much sooner.

My best friend, Rachel (seen above with husband Jonny), did a first look and said, "We were so glad we did a first look because it alleviated our jitters & then allowed us more time with our family & guests since we took care of it before everyone got there."  I just love their simultaneous smirks... pretty much sums them up as a couple perfectly. I was one of Rachel's bridesmaids in her wedding and as a bridesmaid I loved being able to get portraits done prior to the ceremony because once done I was free to just enjoy the wedding and have fun. I was able to have a few drinks at their cocktail hour and then as soon as the ceremony was over I was free to mingle with guests and party. I may be biased but Rachel's wedding was seriously one of the most fun weddings I have ever been to with a perfect timeline that allowed for maximization of fun, which for anybody who knows me knows this a very important thing.

When I asked one of our close friends, Sarah (seen above with husband Joe), she said," We decided to do a first look so that the first time we saw each other on our wedding day would be just between us, and also to maximize our time with our guests by getting most of our portraits done before the ceremony. It was such a great decision. I walked with my maid of honor to a quiet area of nearby Forsyth Park where photographer Alexis Sweet was with my husband. I snuck up behind him and the look on his face and the compliments that followed were so sweet. We got to spend a few quiet moments together soaking each other in before we started our portraits. The pictures came out so great because we were relaxed and not anxious about trying to hurry back to our guests. Once the ceremony began all we had to do was celebrate our love." And let's be real... that picture above of them is priceless... Am I right?

First look images are always priceless and probably some of my favorites from the wedding day. That being said, here are some of our couples who did a first look and the fabulous pictures that captured the moment.  

When asking Adrienna if she wanted a first look her reply was hells yeah. Similarly to me she said she wants that moment between her and her future husband to be just them. Adrienna said she knows that she would probably cry and get emotional; however, because she is such a private person she wants that moment to be personal so that she doesn't feel nervous and can just let the tears flow like a raging waterfall. I think not just that but I know I would probably most definitely cry and then there would be a lot of hugs and kisses. And maybe a few jokes and a couple forehead kisses too. It would be the perfect start to the wedding day festivities. 

What do you think? Would you or do you want a first look? We would love to hear your input! x, n

{Photo Credits} Rachel + Jonny: Rach Loves Troy Photography // Sarah + Joe: Alexis Sweet Photography // Meagan + Brenden: Rach Loves Troy Photography // Christina + Greg: Jeff & Mollie // Tiffany + Sean: Izzy Hudgins // Leslie + Kyle: Suzanne Garland //  Michelle + Johnny: Jeff & Mollie