Your First Look is an amazing part of your wedding day!  If you are not sure about this tradition, I  will explain why it would be a romantic addition to your wedding day celebration that not only adds to the experience but also reduces stress.  Please know that I would never want anyone to feel pressured to go with this option.  However, I do want to make sure that I share some benefits of a First Look; because there is a reason ninety percent of my couples do this and LOVE it!   To see some full wedding blog posts and their First Looks, please click on the following couples:  Thomas + Ashley, Margo + Mark, and Julia + Nick.

1) Your Only Alone Time Together

The First Look allows you to be TOGETHER and alone on your wedding day.  When Farmer J and I saw each other, not only was it intimate, it was our only time to be alone the whole day!  We cried and laughed and then that put us in the PERFECT mood for our romantic bride and groom portraits.  Normally portraits are a little rushed after the family formals, and it can be hard to really get back into that “lovey dovey” mode, especially with family around.  When you have just shared your First Look, you are READY to love on each other; and I always capture some super sweet images during those moments.

2) Diminish Nerves

You get rid of your nerves!  I would say that half of my couples who have decided to do a First Look, the grooms were not initially in favor of the idea.  However, because they have never experienced their wedding day before, they did not know how nerve racking it could be.  I have testimonials from so many grooms who initially were not fans of the First Look, but afterwards admitted to being SO much more relaxed and ready for the ceremony! 

3) 40% More Pictures

You are investing a lot into your wedding photography.  With a First Look, you will receive forty percent 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 for your money.

Bonus Tip: Do not Forget about Your Father

This is for all of the brides who have a sweet spot in their heart for their dad (or mom, or special someone).  I have to admit that the Father/Daughter First Looks make me a little teary.  For a lot of dads, this is when everything feels real; and it hits him, “My baby girl is getting MARRIED!”  These are precious moments to photograph, and I highly encourage any daddy’s girl to make time in their timeline for this moment.