You’re getting married! Congrats, lovebird! Now it’s time to start planning all of the nitty-gritty details of your big day. One decision you’ll have to make is whether or not you want to have a first look with your groom before the ceremony. It’s a tough call, but luckily this Mississippi wedding photographer is here to help you weigh the pros and cons of if it’s actually worth it.
Is a First Look worth it? From your favorite MS Wedding Photographer
The Pros
1. You’ll Get More Beautiful Wedding Portraits
Let’s be real—wedding photographers are expensive(for good reason), and you want to make sure you get your money’s worth. If you do a first look, you can pretty much guarantee that you’ll get some of the most stunning pictures of the two of you together. That’s because you’ll actually have time to pose and work with your wedding photographer to get the perfect shot. During your first look, I typically go ahead and get your traditional shots out of the way, so we can have more time to be creative during goldenhour. Jumping right in to portraits after a ceremony really drags out the cocktail hour before the reception. From rounding up loved one for family portraits, overly tired bridal party, and an excited bride and groom- it can get rather stressful.
2. It’ll Help You Relax
Walking down the aisle is no joke. You might be feeling all kinds of nerves by the time your big moment arrives and trying to stay hidden from the groom can cause alot more unnecessary stress. And guess what? Your groom is more than likely going to be feeling all of those nerves too. Seeing each other before the ceremony can help dissipate some of those anxious feelings and give you both a chance to calm down and take a deep breath before it’s time to say “I do.” If you’re unsure, then ask your wedding photographer on how they feel about first looks.
3. You Can Have a Private Moment Together
Your wedding day is going to be super hectic, which means it can be tough to find time for just the two of you. If you do a first look, though, you can take a few minutes before all the craziness begins to just soak everything in and enjoy each other’s company. This is the perfect moment to sit and pray with one another, read letters, or even just sit in silence collecting your emotions. Plus, You’ll be able to knock out the most stressful part of your wedding photographers day- family portraits.
4. You’ll be more present at your wedding!
Your wedding day is going to be one of the most memorable days in your life. It’s also a very busy time with so many things happening that sometimes it can feel impossible not being able take everything all at once before you witness them gone forever on camera lens or video screen as memories for later down future decades!
5. MORE TIME TO DANCE AT THE RECEPTION!!!
Most Wedding photographers like to do couples’ portraits before the ceremony so that they’re not rushed and can take their time with the photos. However, if you’re not doing a first look, the photographer will have to squeeze in portraits between the ceremony and reception. This means that you may have miss alot of your reception between bridal party shots, family pictures, and your portraits. So, if you’re not doing a first look, be prepared to make some sacrifices – or at least be flexible – in other areas of your wedding day.
My thoughts as your Central Mississippi Wedding Photographer
All in all, doing a first look is one of the best decisions you can make on your wedding day. Not only will you get more portraits and be more relaxed, but you’ll also have a private moment together that you wouldn’t otherwise have and be able to actually enjoy your reception. So if you’re on the fence about whether or not to do a first look, jump off and go for it! And if you’re still looking for more engagement and wedding tips, be sure to check out my other blogs.
