So there's a hot new trend going on in wedding world! It's called The First Look and it's when the bride and groom plan to see each other before the ceremony, usually to get pictures out of the way so they can enjoy the rest of their wedding day exactly as it unfolds. I'm all about tradition, but this is definitely one part of the day where I think it's completely okay to change things up a bit. Here's why . . .
Weddings typically unfold in a very familiar fashion. The day starts with the bride and groom getting ready separately, meeting at the altar, and then spend sometimes up to an hour and a half posing for very traditional portraits with the wedding party and immediate family. During that time, guests move along to the reception, mingle with each other, have a few cocktails, and anxiously await the bride and groom's arrival. After the bride and groom arrive, they spend a huge part of their reception greeting their guests, receiving toasts, and finally being able to truly enjoy themselves. As exciting as it is to see those long-lost college friends and great aunts and second cousins, the bride and groom really rarely have a genuine moment to themselves.
Every wedding I have photographed unfolded pretty much as I just described. One time the couple did opt to see each other before the ceremony, but everyone gathered around them to witness their expressions and it definitely took away from the moment. The First Look should be a very private moment between the bride and groom . . . it happens after they're all dolled up, and typically the groom is waiting in a discrete location. The bride arrives from around the corner, or comes up behind the groom . . . and there you have one of the sweetest, most tender moments of the entire day. Of course, this is one of the greatest uses of a good zoom lens. The photographer is prepared for this and hidden as best she or he can be, because these are also likely to be some of your favorite photographs of the day.
After the couple enjoys each other for a bit, this is the best time to do portraits of the bride and groom, and then invite the wedding party and family in as well. When the day gets away from you, there is never that all-too-common regret I hear that the couple wished they'd had more time alone on the most important day of their lives.
So that's my take on things. I'm not one to monkey with tradition, but being a bride who chose to see her groom before the ceremony, I can vouch that it truly is such an emotional moment, and we were able to enjoy our reception and time with our friends and family, as well as with each other.
From a photography standpoint, I stress that this is an amazing time to get the type of photos you really want if you have chosen my style of photography. While it is my job to be prepared for those moments no matter what you choose, having that time to focus on each other without being eyeballed by 200 guests can make all the difference.
5.22.2008
the first look
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3 comments:
Hi Morgan,
I never really thought about this before. I got married almost 17 years ago and no one did that then. I am one of the most traditional people you will ever meet but I love the idea of having a private moment before the ceremony (and of course get great pictures). My husband and I may have to renew our vows so we can try it--although I don't think it will have quite the same effect:)
I love to see how flexible you are in this new business and open to all ideas!
Love ya!
Pam Munson
Morgan,
For what it's worth, here's my experience:
When we got married, everyone cleared out of the church once we were all dressed and ready. Dave was standing at the altar and my dad walked me down the aisle, said a few words and "gave me away" and then left us. We were the only people in the church. We took about 10 minutes just for ourselves. After that, Dave went out and told people they could come in. We took pictures all before the ceremony and once the ceremony started, we didn't ever "stop" for pictures. We did a few, like the cake cutting and stuff but the picture-taking never interfered with the activity.
I loved having our moment. I love that my dad got to give me away and be there for that moment without other stuff going on. I love that our "first look" was private and intimate. It made it a lot more personal and real somehow. Honestly, that 10 minutes was one of my favorite parts of the whole wedding. It gave us time, when the wedding was all about party favors and guests and all sorts of things outside our relationship, to center ourselves and get ready--together--to get married. ...And when I did walk down the aisle for the ceremony, I was able to look at the guests and my mom and the wedding party instead of smooshing that into the first look with Dave. I got to see his face during our first look, not the whole church, and that made it special. Maybe it's selfish to want that for myself instead of letting everyone else see it. But it was definitely the right choice for us.
Bridget
Bridget, that's a really sweet idea and great way to have that first look, thanks so much for sharing!
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