What a First Look you ask?! Let me tell you…A first look session takes place on the wedding day after all the prepping is done and before you walk down the aisle. The couple finds a spot to see each other for the first time and we photograph the moment! It’s great because you can actually talk to each other, giggle, laugh and even cry a little. You might not be comfortable doing this at the start of the ceremony in front of everyone. After those initial moments of excitement we take time to capture some fantastic portraits of you two. We recommend allowing about an hour for the First Look and photos.

Some benefits to the First Look:
• Ease nervousness walking down the aisle
• Can speak/hug/get teary when you first see each other
• More time for fun and creative portraits of the two of you
• Allows time to relax and appreciate each other before the craziness of the rest of the day begins
• Formal photos are almost done before ceremony even starts…can you say cocktail hour?

Craig and I opted for a First Look and I’m so glad. We had a very rainy wedding day. (Good luck right?) So by doing our portraits right away I felt my hair and makeup looked the best and I wasn’t wet! Who wants wet hair in photos? We also allowed a ton of time for these photos, it was really important to us to have really special photos of the two of us on our wedding. By doing the photos before the ceremony you can really set up a great photo time line for the day. We also went to our cocktail hour! We were able to see all our family and guests right away after the ceremony.

Did you do a First Look? Planning on it? Tell us what you are thinking!

Here is a series from Anna and Philip’s First Look. I love the staircase!