Pros and cons of First Look wedding pictures

Why you need a first look on your wedding day?

Bride and groom during their first look photo session on the beach with talented gvphotographer

What is a first look? A first look is a moment staged for the bride and groom to see each other before the ceremony. The first look is a modern tradition involving a one-on-one photo session between the bride and groom where they see each other for the first time prior to the ceremony

First-look wedding photos may not be the newest trend in wedding photography, but they’re still a hot topic. As your big day approaches, you’re probably wondering whether you want first-look wedding photos or whether you want to wait until you walk down the aisle for your big reveal.

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Let me share with you a few ideas why I think you should do a first look session:

1. Pro: A first look could ease any nerves before the ceremony.

If you're an especially emotional or nervous person, a pre-ceremony glimpse may be the way to go. Besides doing your first look photos, you can also maximize this time to sneak in a few moments alone with each other that you may not get later on.

2. Pro: You save time by taking the bulk of your photos together before the ceremony.

Pair your first look with couple portraits. To free up more time to enjoy cocktail hour with guests

3. Pro: Look Your Best | Fresh Faces, Fresh Clothing

And If you're worried about crying at the altar, you can get your tears out of the way before.

It's every bride's dream not to sob at the altar with mascara all over her face (one glistening tear hardly ever happens), so if you know you'll likely turn on the waterworks during the ceremony, a first look could help get some of your feelings out beforehand. Your first look photos will be that much more emotional and moving, and you'll have plenty of time for makeup touch-ups before the ceremony.

4. Pro: Get That Alone Time

Ironically, a first look is one of the very few moments where you’ll get to enjoy each other’s company. The rest of your day is filled with family and friends

These set of pictures below, take us just 5 minutes it was a very emotive moment and the groom never saw the bride.  Sometimes the couple will simply stand on opposite sides of a door, hold hands and bask in the moment.  Other times they’ll read a sweet note to each other, or they’ll just take comfort in being together and taking in the enormity of the moment free of distractions.

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  1. Con: If you are very traditional or you believe in bad luck

Maybe you are a very traditional person and you want to see each other at your ceremony. A good wedding photographer will find a way to make beautiful portraits for you in a limited time after the ceremony

Did you do a first look when you got married?

Yes I did it in my wedding (3 years ago) and I would do it again. Personally, I loved having a first look at my own wedding, I always suggest a first look—it eases nerves, allows couples to focus during the ceremony and is a great way to capture an intimate moment

What’s better than hearing from others who have experienced it first hand!

"We did a first look because we were too excited to see each other, and it was great! Plus, we got the couple photos done before the ceremony so we didn't spend hours after the ceremony taking photos when we could be with everyone who attended our wedding."

“We were so happy in our decision to do a First Look. Devin was initially hesitant because he had always pictured being traditional and seeing me for the first time when I walked down the aisle. We are so glad however, that we chose to do a First Look. It gave us such a great, private moment to ourselves in the middle of such a busy day. Gonzalo captured fantastic pictures of our first look, but we both honestly forgot he was there."

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Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email myself at  info@gvphotographer.com and I will be happy to make sure you are making the right decision for your needs.

Thank you,

Gonzalo Verdeja


Cabo Wedding Photographer

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