Wedding Day First Look - The Portrait Gallery

Let’s talk about doing a First Look at your wedding! I am 100% for it!!! For so many reasons. For those of you not aware of what this involves, the First Look is where the happy couple see each other before the wedding and do MOST of the posed photos prior to the wedding. Tradition says that the couple should not see each other prior to the ceremony, but I say that is nonsense. I did it at my wedding, and we are still going strong! So here is a point/counter point look and some photos to back it up:

First Look-Do all the couples photos while you are fresh

No First Look-Do all the couples photos after the ceremony often while standing in the sun, and after the family and wedding party.

First Look-With the photos done, you can enjoy your cocktail hour and have more time to spend with guests!

No First Look-You miss most of your cocktail hour, and should budget an hour for photos.

First Look-Couples portraits are way more relaxed, as the time has been budgeted for.

No First Look-Couples portraits are often rushed as the happy couple wants to get to the cocktail hour, or dinner is ready.

First Look-Do most of the couples portraits prior to the ceremony, and Wedding Party and immediate family too!

No First Look-Doing the photos afterwards certainly works, but you often lose people as they are off getting drinks and snacks.

First Look-More photos in less time

No First Look-Less photos in more time

Which brings me to a recent wedding. The couple decided not to have a First Look. No big deal I have done hundreds of these. But it rained. So the indoor locations I was left with were not ideal. We did some family photos prior, and also some Wedding Party on each side. After the wedding, we gathered for photos with everyone. I did lots of family groupings, got playful with the Wedding Party, and after about 30 minutes it was time for the happy couple. Except the bride did not look happy. She put on a good face for the photos, but something was off. It was hot and muggy. The last thing I want was a bride not feeling it for her once in a lifetime photos. I thought maybe she was feeling sick, so I suggested she go back to their room and get some AC and some water. I could see that I had made the right call as her expression was so relieved at the suggestion. I told them I would come find them in 20 minutes.

Now we are almost an hour after the wedding, and no couples portraits yet. Of course I was also worried about it raining again, so that was a factor as well, as the venue was gorgeous! So 20 minutes later I went and grabbed the couple. They both commented that that 20 minute break was the best choice of the day! Her shoes were killing her (wear comfy shoes is my suggestion) which is why she looked pained. So long story short, now we are about 60 minutes after the ceremony and it is time for their romantic photos. I gave them a very quick 20 minutes, and it was time for dinner. They basically missed the entire cocktail hour, and got less photos and angles as well. I am super fast, and did manage to keep them on schedule! Plus as usual, I grabbed them for a few posed couple photos throughout the night. Of course the day worked out perfectly in the end, and the photos were great! But not without a few hiccups along the way!