Welcome to the newest series on the blog: “First Looks on the 1st!” I’ll be featuring some of my favorite First Looks we’ve shot throughout the years along with thoughts from brides and grooms that have done it. :) I’m so excited that at least one out of every three of our couples are trusting us and opting to do this on their wedding day.

I know you often hear me “preaching” the importance of this First Look, but I do it because I LOVE you! There are so many reasons that this is important; it’s something I bring up from our first meeting with couples and gently suggest it at least one more time before working with our brides on their time lines. I take it seriously because it effects our job in so many ways. If you’re a Root bride, seeing your groom before the ceremony might be the best gift you could give to us.

Top reasons why you should see each other before you get married :

– First things first : The only reason this ‘rule’ was created in the first place was back when brides were betrothed to their husbands. The groom wasn’t allowed to see the bride before the ceremony in case she was ugly; waiting until the ceremony meant he couldn’t back out. You can read more about the origin here. Luck has nothing to do with it!

– The happiest, most emotional photos come out of First Looks. It’s just the two of you, Nate and I with long lenses, and you get to spend a few minutes of your wedding day alone. Just the two of you- Fancy that! :)

– I absolutely, cannot imagine walking up to the altar looking my best on my happiest day and not be able to hug, let alone talk to my groom!

– The ugly cry. Let’s be honest, ladies, you  know what I’m talking about. If you’re prone to the ugly cry (that awful fighting-back-tears-and-failing-miserably-face), this really may be something you want to consider. You know… Getting it out of your system without 200 people watching. ;)

– It’s your wedding day. Spend it together!

– “Hide the bride” isn’t as fun as it sounds. Especially when we’re on a tight schedule.

– Your time line. Doing a First Look allows us to take care of the portraits of you and your groom ahead of time, along with 75% of your posed family photo list (we save extended family photos for after the ceremony.) With this being the case, instead of the ceremony ending and spending the next hour on photos, followed immediately by your grand entrance into the reception, first dance, toasts, and parent dances, you instead spend 10 minutes on family photos, enjoy your cocktail hour (remember all those drinks you’re paying for?!), and you get time to enjoy every minute of your wedding reception.

Ultimately it’s your choice, and I’ll still love you if you decide to not see each other first. Pinky promise. I mean… I do love our First Look couples a bit more, but we can still be friends. It’s cool. ;) And hey, if you aren’t getting married at sunset and can guarantee us 45 minutes for photos of just the two of you, ignore everything I just said!

Speaking from experience, though, this was my favorite part of our wedding day. I’d just gotten dressed and opened the door to see my handsome groom in the hallway. It wasn’t at all planned, and I had no idea Brian happened to be there with a camera! <3

Photo credit : The amazing Brian Adams!