Cornish Maine Wedding Photographer // Should You Do A First Look?

Couples typically feel strongly one way or another about this topic. If they want to see each other for the first time at the end of the aisle on their wedding day, they mean it. And I mean, I have hidden brides under blankets and stolen them away in my car just to keep the groom from seeing them. It can definately add some excitement to your wedding day!

Some couples like the idea of doing a first look and then getting all of their formal pictures out of the way before they even walk down the aisle. These couples usually want to make sure that they participate in their cocktail hour so they have more time with guests. I totally don’t blame them for doing it this way. It can take a lot of the stress out of the day!

Everyone likes to ask my opinion on the subject matter and, honestly to me it doesn’t matter. What matters is that we have a well thought out timeline ahead of time that leaves room for everything that my couple wants to get done without rushing them at any point during their wedding day. Wiggle room is a beautiful thing on a wedding day! The only thing that I may suggest to my brides is that they do a first look with their dad. It only takes a few minutes and can literally be the most amazing moment of the wedding. 

Doing a first look or not has it’s benefits and setbacks. First looks typically take place when the sun is at its highest in the sky and makes for some pretty unflattering lighting. I often suggest doing this under a tree or somewhere there is a bit of shade unless, of course, my couple has their heart set on a certain location. The bonus is that doing this in the beginning of the day leaves plenty of time for family formals and some of the couple’s formal portraits. Either way, I request that my clients take 20 minutes right as golden hour turns into sunset to do formal portraits. That’s really when the lighting is really the best and I want them to have the best gallery possible!

As with anything on a wedding day, it’s not what you plan, it’s how you plan it! My couples ae constantly asking if they can do certain things on their wedding day and the answer is always yes! First of all it’s their wedding day. Secondly, as long as we plan it and put it into the timeline ahead of time almost anything is possible!

2022 is booking up super fast with only limited spots left. Contact me ASAP with your date!!