Why I was wrong about first looks…

Hey there and welcome! It’s fun to think of what people are doing on the other end of reading this article. Currently I am sitting drinking coffee that has not been hot for quite a while, looking at the gigantic mess that I need to straighten up in my room/office (we are currently living with my in-laws for one more week until our new house is ready!). If you make it to the end of this article, tell me where you are and what you’re doing while reading this!

Before photographing weddings, I was completely anti-first look. Honestly, even up into this year I was first-look hesitant. All of my weddings over the past two years have opted against a first look, which I always supported. Drew and I didn’t do a first look, we opted for the traditional timeline. And for me, it went perfectly.

Photos above by Lauren Simmons Photography

Before I completely shoot down a traditional entrance (I’m teasing - a little ha!), let me give you some of the benefits. First of all (and this should be obvious), but you get a reaction like this one above. Drew was crying and had the absolute BEST reaction ever. Traditional entrances are just that - they keep with tradition. The first time the groom sees his bride, it’s at the top of the aisle. Okay now that I’ve given you the two benefits, let me tell you why I was wrong in thinking that traditional entrances were the way to go, and show you some gorgeous images from Lauren and Jeremy’s first look just a few weeks ago at the stunning Barn at Gully Tavern in Southwest Virginia.

First looks give you a chance to calm your nerves.

Jeremy was stressed on the morning of the wedding. (Point of clarification - Jeremy stressed doesn’t look like me stressed [a chicken with my head cut off]. I only knew he was stressed because he said the words “I’m stressed” haha!) Weddings are stressful for absolutely everyone involved, but I could tell he was ready to get the ball rolling so that he could enjoy time with loved ones and finally get to see Lauren. After their first look, you could see the stress completely melt away. He was joyful, relaxed, and able to completely be present in the day!

They’re intimate.

Yes… I absolutely loved my husband’s reaction on our wedding day, but I felt a little uncomfortable getting emotional with having 150+ people staring at me. First looks allow you to experience the true emotion of the day without an abundance of onlookers.

More time for portraits.

Yes, you read that right. First looks give you more time for portraits. During a traditional wedding day, photographers have about one hour (cocktail hour) to knock out family portraits, bridal party portraits, and couples portraits. That’s not a lot of time! Lauren and Jeremy had a 2pm first look and portraits, followed by 2:45pm bridal party portraits, which gave us a lot more time than I would normally have had without having a first look.

More Party.

After the first look, everyone got to relax, get something to eat and drink, and get prepared for the ceremony. After the ceremony, all that needed to still be done was the family portraits and then everyone got to actually enjoy cocktail hour while Jeremy and Lauren stole some time to themselves.

Had I to do it over again, I would 100% change my timeline and opt for a first look. You don’t ruin tradition by incorporating a first look into your wedding day, but you do underscore the importance of intimacy and relationship when you put the priority on each other.

So what do you YOU think? Traditional or first look? I want to hear your thoughts below!