Wedding Tip Wednesday
The First Look Session
If you're planning a wedding, you've likely started to hear the term "first look". It's quickly becoming one of the hottest wedding trends and allows you to capture even more special moments with your sweetie on your big day. But what is it exactly? Does it match your style? Should you have one for your wedding?
What is a First Look?
A first look session is a special private time when the Bride and Groom see each other before the ceremony. It's a very intimate and special moment that is captured by your photographer. We recommend that the first look is just the couple and that there are no by-standers in order to keep it intimate and between the 2 of you.
Every couple will have the big moment when they see each other for the first time when walking the aisle. There is nothing that can top that big moment. At Muschlitz Photography, we think of the first look session as a second "big" moment of your day. We love capturing the expressions when a couple sees each other for the very first time during a first look. Capturing these expressions can be more challenging for photographers during the actual ceremony since we're not able to move around as freely, but we can easily photograph them during the first look for you to remember the smiles and tears from seeing each other for the first time.
A first look session has many benefits:
- It can help ease wedding day jitters prior to the ceremony.
- Allows you to take all of the couple's portraits before the cermony without feeling rushed.
- Can be scheduled so that the couple and the wedding party has time before the ceremony to travel and get their photos taken.
- Keeps guests happy by preventing long wait times between the ceremony and reception while the couple and wedding party pictures are being taken.
Can I still keep it traditional?
A common wedding tradition is for the bride and groom not to see each other before the ceremony. Some couples prefer to keep it traditional and not see each other until they walk down the aisle at the ceremony. It's truly a matter of personal preference.
Should I Have a First Look?
A first look session might be a good option for you if:
- You would like to move straight from the ceremony into the reception, so as not to keep your guests waiting. (Or if you're not having a cocktail hour)
- You have an evening ceremony and would like to have some daylight in your images
- You'd like to travel to different locations for your portraits, but don't have time to travel to locations between your ceremony and the start of the reception
If you have more questions about a first look session, be sure to discuss them with your photographer. First looks can be great option for some couples, but might not be the best fit for others. It's definitely a personal preference, but there are some scenarios that can benefit from having a first look session and photos taken prior to the ceremony. We recommend discussing your timeline with your photographer when you make your decision.
I hope that you found the above information useful as you're planning your big day! Stay tuned for next week's Wedding Tip Wednesday!
Are you planning a wedding and looking for a photographer for your Columbus, Ohio wedding? I'd love to work with you! Contact me today to check availability and schedule a free consultation. You can also call 614.301.8579 or email me directly at amanda@muschlitzphoto.com.