Orlando Wedding Planning Advice | Is a ‘First Look’ Right For You?

Orlando Wedding Planning Advice | Is a ‘First Look’ Right For You?

Today we are SO excited to have a guest blogger. Elle Baez of Capture by Elle Photography and Videography is a premier Wedding Photographer in Orlando, Florida. Today she shares her take on First Looks in Orlando Wedding Planning Advice | Is a ‘First Look’ Right For You?

From Elle…

I personally love capturing first looks as a wedding photographer & videographer — they are some of the most intimate and emotional moments that take place on the wedding day! But I also know they are not for everyone and I think it’s important to consider your options instead of letting someone else make that decision for you.

The ‘first look’ is a modern wedding trend which bucks the tradition of seeing each other down the aisle and instead allows for a private moment where you meet before the actual wedding ceremony. Typically it is followed by portraits– either with your wedding party & family, just the two of you, or both. This allows you to get a leg up on your timeline. The alternative is usually waiting until after the ceremony, during your cocktail hour, to capture those photos.

Many brides and grooms often ask their photographer and wedding planner for their take on whether or not they should have a first look during their wedding day. While I personally appreciate my couples looping me in and asking for input, I always like to put it back on them for the final call because I don’t feel like it’s a “one size fits all” type of thing.

Here are two important things to think about in order to decide if a first look is right for YOU!

Number 1 Your Timeline

The first thing to think about is your wedding day timeline and what time your ceremony will take place. Traditionally, most couples take family portraits & couples portraits after the ceremony during their cocktail hour. However if you are having a sunset wedding ceremony and it will be dark out by the time it’s over, then having a first look may be the best option for you so that you are not taking photos in the dark. Granted if you want to take photos after sunset that may be an option too! It’s just important to be aware of the difference between portraits taken in natural sunlight versus photos captured in the dark with flash and talk to your photographer about this so that you know what to expect. Otherwise having a first look might be your best choice so that your photographer can capture some beautiful and romantic photos before the ceremony!

Aside from that, if you are not doing a full hour of cocktail or if you want to attend your cocktail hour then it may also make sense to do a first look in order to accommodate your timeline without sacrificing valuable portrait time.

Number 2 Your Personality

You know yourselves best! If you are the type of person that gets very nervous or anxious, then I often recommend a first look to help calm your nerves before you walk down the aisle. There’s nothing quite as comforting as being with your honey, so seeing them in advance can be just what you need to keep you from totally losing it!

For many couples, what they enjoy most about having a first look is actually getting to talk to their future spouse when they meet for the first time. It’s nice to hear what they think about the dress, how their day has gone so far, and what they are feeling. If you wait to see each other down the aisle you won’t get to talk! Not to mention having a private moment free from the chaos to soak everything in can be priceless.

On the other hand, if what you have always dreamed of is your future spouse locking eyes with you down the aisle for the first time (especially if your fiance is the emotional type!) then a first look may NOT be for you. Also if you are both very traditional then I probably wouldn’t recommend it since having a first look is more of a modern wedding trend.

If you still want a private moment alone, then consider a first touch which you can do behind a door or around a corner so you can have a sweet emotional moment together without actually seeing one another!

Regardless, it’s important to have this conversation with your trusted wedding planner who knows both your timeline and personalities the best and then make your decision from there.

Author: Elle Baez, Orlando wedding photographer & videographer at Captured by Elle