The Ultimate Wedding Guide - Part III
First Look + Married Couple Portraits - 30-45 minutes
To “First Look” or not to “First Look”
After you are finished getting ready, it’s on to the first event of the day! Which is generally the ceremony or the “First Look”. Depending on if you choose a First Look or not will determine when you take “Married Couple Portraits”. This breaks down into two different options.
Option 1: Portraits before the wedding ceremony
More and more wedding couples are opting for a First Look and getting images taken before the ceremony. This can have many benefits; believe me, I speak from experience! My husband and I chose this timeline, and we loved it because we got to spend the whole day together. It also didn't detract from the "aisle moment" at all! However, we understand it is not for everyone, and we will work with whatever you choose.
With that in mind, here are some Pros & Cons for Option 1:
Pros:
You get to interact when you first see each other! Couples are often excited to share their outfits with one another and talk about how their day is going. If you’re at the ceremony, you have to save your conversation and thoughts until after the recessional.
The first time you see each other is private and shared just between you two (and sometimes your closest friends/family, if invited). Some couples have taken this time to share private vows.
You both will look your freshest!
Less nerves! Honestly, the anxiety before the ceremony can be strong and sometimes just seeing your person helps you feel more at ease.
Helps to ensure that there is enough time for the important photos (the ones of you two!)
You can schedule all wedding party photos before the ceremony - allowing you to head to your reception quickly, which means less wait time for guests.
This is a great trial run of walking around and moving in your attire before you have to do it in front of everyone at your ceremony.
Your ceremony can be later in the day when the sun is lower in the sky (better lighting).
No one can bother you with last minute logistical questions because you’ll be out taking photos!
Cons:
Seeing each other before the ceremony goes against tradition and personal visions for an aisle moment.
Portraits are taken earlier in the day when the sun is higher in the sky.
If you’re having an earlier ceremony time, a first look can feel rushed. Make sure to check in with your wedding pros to make sure you have enough time for the first look!
Option 2: Portraits after the wedding ceremony
The first time you see each other is when you or your partner walks down the aisle.
Pros:
You can maintain the aisle tradition.
You can have your ceremony earlier in the day.
If you are wanting to have a cocktail hour for guests between the ceremony and reception, taking the bulk of your images after the ceremony will allow your guests to mingle and enjoy drinks while you’re getting your pictures taken.
Portraits are being taken later in the afternoon, when the sun is a little lower in the sky.
The photo time after the ceremony will take longer so guests will have approximately an 1.5-2-hour break from when the ceremony ends to when the reception begins (this can be a pro or con depending if you want to entertain your guests during this time or not!).
Tip from a past couple!
One of our past clients had their ceremony at noon and their cocktail hour didn’t start until 4:00. In their ceremony program, they listed fun things to do in the area for the guests’ 3-hour break. This gave enough time for photos and a bit of a break for the couple and guests alike!
Cons:
If the ceremony begins late, or family photos run longer than expected, then it’s always the married couple’s portrait time that get’s cut short.
Guests will have to wait between the ceremony and the reception.
Other Notes About the First Look
First Look
Aisle Moment
Couples often wonder if they will lose some of the “magic” and emotion of the day if they do a first look. In my experience, this has not been the case! Countless times I have seen a couple choose to do a first look and still have a very emotional aisle moment. If anything, it adds to the aisle moment because you’ve already gotten some nerves out and can focus on the moment!
However, as I have mentioned before, we will do whatever YOU want for your wedding day. We still have many couples opt out of doing a first look and we will make time between the ceremony and reception for all the portraits. ❤️
First Look
Aisle Moment
Wedding Party - 30 minutes
You have all your favorite people in one place! Let's capture some portraits together. 🙌🏽
Your wedding party/”I DO” crew/squad/whatever you want to call your group is important to you and we want to capture how much fun you have together! This part of the day is usually pretty straight forward - we capture one partner’s “crew”, then the other partner’s. We usually do a mix of standard, serious and fun/movement based poses as a group, followed by individual portraits of each partner with each member of their party.
We won’t throw you unless you ask us to!
Example Timeline for First Look - Wedding Party
1:45 Leave for First Look
2:00 First Look
2:15 Married Couple Portraits
2:45 Wedding Party
3:15 Leave for Ceremony