The Origins of This Unique Tradition

If you don’t know how this tradition started, prepare to be… astounded. The origin of this tradition does not have a romantic history. It was back in Elizabethan England when, as happened in those days, weddings were more of a business arrangement by the parents than an act of love and devotion.

Back then, a young woman’s father went through all sorts of trouble to marry her off to a well-to-do suitor. Why? So that she would hopefully have a much better life.  Things were rough back in the day. In most cases, the ‘bride’ and ‘groom’ didn’t even know each other, and never even met before their wedding day. (Can you imagine?!)

Following months of negotiations on dad’s part, the actual day would arrive. In many cases, the last thing he wanted was for the young man marrying his daughter to see what she actually looked like. This was especially true if they weren't sure if the bride-to-be was his "type".

So, rather than risk the young man fleeing before the wedding day, a new tradition was born. Keeping the bride and groom apart until the actual wedding ceremony took place because it was ‘bad luck’. *wink wink, nudge nudge*

The wedding veil took part in this plan as well. It literally hid the young woman’s face until the very last second, after the exchange of vows and right before the kiss, ensuring the betrothed wouldn't see her face and flee. I am pleased that the tradition's origins are far from the ceremony rituals of the modern wedding couple!

The PROs of Having a First Look on Your Wedding Day

1- Getting Over the ‘Butterflies’

Most couples get all sorts of butterflies on their wedding day, even if they've known each other for years. Not only for the excitement of marrying your soulmate, but also because you’re standing up in front of all those people. It can be a little bit overwhelming for some, without question. Stage fright is still real on your wedding day in front of your loved ones. Most often, the person you chose for your spouse, is also the person that best comforts you in the world. They are your rock, and a first look gives you both a chance to get all those silly butterflies out of the way and calms your nerves.

2- A First Look Give You More Time To Bask In the Romance

Many married couples will tell you that their wedding ceremony flew by so fast, with no time for a true emotional oomph. With a first look, you’ll have more time to bask in the emotions and enjoy each other before all the wedding day madness starts. You can take your time with a first look. Start with a 1^st touch, holding hands around a doorway, or have one of you blindfolded. It still builds up just as much excitement, if not more than walking down the Aisle. You get to immediately hug and kiss, exchange gifts or letters… it’s a very sweet and intimate moment.

3- You’ll Have a Private Moment All To Yourselves

Weddings are a fast day, filled with all of your loved ones, and they all want our attention. Your parents and siblings, your friends and colleagues, and the assorted service providers too. It can be overwhelming, to say the least. It may sound odd, but you won’t have very many moments to enjoy with just the two of you. That’s why it’s nice to take advantage of opportunities to create those moments. A first look gives you some time that’s all for you on your big day. Some couples don’t even have their photographer there so they can share a private moment. (Although, most do because it’s a great chance to get some amazing wedding photos.)

4- More Daylight if it’s Wintertime

If you're having a winter wedding the sun will be setting a lot earlier so you won't have many daylight hours for photos. If you have a first look, however, you'll have sunshine to brighten all your photos naturally. 

5- More Time for Photos

No matter the season, with a first look you'll have all the time you want for photographs of just the two of you. In fact, you can go with your photographer to several locations. You would need to scout out photo ops before the wedding day and create an itinerary though. You still want to arrive to your ceremony on time!

6- Cocktail Hour is On!

Some couples, as we mentioned, opt to get their first look photos, sweetheart portraits, wedding party photos, and immediate family photos out of the way. That way, after the ceremony they can fully enjoy all of the wedding day wonders to come. That includes the all-important cocktail hour, of course, which many couples really look forward to. (Especially the Hors d’oeuvres and Specialty Drinks!)

7- It Gives You The Chance to ‘Be’ At Your Wedding

One thing that we always hear from couples we've helped is that their wedding day flew by so fast! There's so much to do, it's not surprising. If you take all of your important pictures during your first look, however, you can then truly enjoy your wedding day and spend more time with your wedding guests!

8- You May Not Have the Tunnel Vision Experience

If you grew up invisioning your walk down the aisle the way I did, you may have thought it would be the tunnel vision experience you witness in movies. It is absolutely still a special moment, but whoever is walking down the aisle second, doesn't have the luxury of undivided attention. Your future spouse will be gazing at you from afar, watching your approach. Most of the guests will turn away from them, allowing them to focus on you and your beauty. As the person walking down the aisle though, the guests all turn to look at you. You are engulfed in warm wishes and sometimes waves from your loved ones. They are all special to you and it is nearly impossible to ignore them and focus your entire attention on your better half ahead. A 1st look gives you that moment back. Not to mention, if you are clumsy, you will be looking down a lot to not trip and fall on your face. Or if you are nearsighted and normally wear glasses, your love may be a bit fuzzy. Maybe you will wear contacts, but if they hurt your eyes our cause redness, you may want to consider a First Look. 

9- Take Advantage of the Moment

The first look gives you an opportunity to have a sweet and romantic moment, but you can also put a bit of your personality into it and have a silly moment. Take advantage of the planning and surprise your spouse-to-be! Inflatable dinosaur outfit? Where’s Waldo outfit? Groomsmen in grass skirts and coconut bras? Visit from a Celebrity Hero? If the traditional first look feels too serious or corny and you want something the feels more you, let’s talk about options! I am a sucker for unique experiences created especially for you!

There are only so many hours in a day and the day is full of love and joy that flies by. It’s important to enjoy the time you can, and the 1st Look is a perfect opportunity to do just that. It gives you more time to enjoy each other and your wedding guests. The best of both worlds! The memories you'll make in your mind will always be strong and endearing, but capturing these precious moments on film will allow you to enjoy them with clarity for decades to come!

The CONs of Having a First Look on Your Wedding Day

1- Photographers and Videographers Charge By the Hour

Most professional wedding photographers and cinematographers charge by the hour. That means, if they have to come out several hours earlier, you'll be booking a larger package with an increased price. If you have a First Look, they'll need to arrive roughly 2 hours earlier than if you did not have a 1st Look. 

2- You Won’t Actually Be Married in Your Wedding Photos

If you choose to have your most of your sweetheart photos done during your first look, although it is your wedding day, you won't technically be married in your photos. For some people that's a big deal, for others, it doesn't matter at all. You need to choose depending on how you feel about it. 

3- Some Couples Worry the Emotional Impact Will Be Different

No matter how long you and your partner have been together, there is an emotional impact that most feel at the ceremony. If you're worried about that emotion being lessened, a first look might not be for you, but based on feedback I have received from countless couples over the years, they still got all the feels walking down the aisle after their First Look. 

4- Your Dress Could Get Dirty

Accidents do happen, and sometimes at the very worst moments. Murphy's Law I suppose. If your wedding dress gets dirty during your first look, it might be a little bit embarrassing. Or, if you're taking photographs outside, it could be a total disaster if you slip and fall in the dirt. (So be careful!) I have never had this happen, but it is something to weigh in the equation.

5- You’ll Have To Get Ready Earlier

If your morning is already pressed for time because of an early ceremony, you may want to skip the First Look. Some hair and makeup schedules start as early as 6 or 7 in the morning. If you need to bump up your hair and makeup schedule even earlier, and you're not a morning person... maybe the 1st Look is not right for you.  

6- You Might Need To Touch Up Your Hair and Makeup

It is definitely not manditory, but some couples pay to have their hair and makeup artists stay for touch-ups after the first look. Not many couples choose this option, but if you were worried about your makeup and wanted to be touched up right before the ceremony, there would be an additonal cost.