It's the #1 most traditional unwritten rule in the world of weddings: the bride and groom aren't allowed any contact the day of their wedding until they meet at the altar. But a new tradition that's giving brides and their photographers a nice long sigh of relief is giving this old tradition a run for its money, and it's a little thing called the "First Look."

...And boy am I about to sell you on why they're the best thing, ever!

To be honest, until I got married myself, I'd never even known that it was an option for a bride and groom to see one another before the "I Do's" for photos. Wasn't that like, illegal or something? Bound to my romantic ideas of my husband seeing me for the very first time as I walked down the aisle, I ignored my photographer's sound advice at a "First Look" and went along with the traditional route.

By some absolute miracle, our wedding timeline was followed nearly to a T, nothing was too late or too early, and so we escaped a bad situation of running out of light and time for formal portraits after the ceremony.

 (PSA: this almost NEVER happens! Please don't plan your wedding expecting everything to be perfectly on time, because 98% of the time, it doesn't work that way. I'm an anomaly, I know.)

However, looking back, I often wonder how different my wedding day may have been if I listened to my photographer (who knew what he was doing, by the way) and did a "First Look."

If you're struggling to decide whether or not to let go of the old tradition, or just aren't sure why it's a good idea, allow me to help change your mind!

Here are 5 reasons to have a "First Look:"

1 ) Hair, makeup, and dress will be fresh and camera ready!

     If you want to have photos you can look back at and think "Dayummm, we looked good!" --and who doesn't?-- then this is probably the only reason you'll need to realize how good of an idea this thing is! Sweat, fly-aways, tears, humidity...all these things will eventually take away from the polished look you have directly following getting all done up. If you do a "First Look," you can ensure that the photos will reflect the moment in the day when everything was at its most perfect because you can go directly from the makeup chair to the camera! So much of liking the way you look in photos is liking the way you feel while taking them! And who really feels awesome about themselves with sweaty pits, shiny foreheads, and frizzy hair? Can I get an "AMEN!" from all my sweaty Florida friends?!

2 ) A moment of privacy & calm to settle the nerves.

     With all of the nerves and excitement of a wedding day coursing through your veins, who really wants the added pressure of having a couple hundred eyes watching you when you see your groom for the first time? With a "First Look," not only do you remove that added pressure, but you actually give yourself the time and space to fully enjoy each other moments before the nuptials, and get the nervous energy out! During the ceremony, your groom doesn't have the luxury of asking you to spin so he can see how stunning you

look in your dress, or the time to exchange private words of love and excitement. Not to mention, this will probably be the ONLY moment during your ENTIRE wedding day, where you are alone with your future Mr. before it's all over! Some of the most cherished wedding portraits are taken prior to the vows, not after. 

3 ) Twice the amount of photos, locations & lighting.

     With a "First Look," you can take photos before AND after the ceremony (as long as the day isn't running late!), which means you'll get a much wider variety of photos and double the amount! This is a good time to explore the venue grounds for really unique spots to take portraits that you more than likely wouldn't have the time to do after the ceremony is over. Not to mention, you'll have a much better chance of getting those yummy golden hour photos that everyone wants, because you'll have two different time slots.

     Ask this bride below if she regrets being able to get two totally different stunning locations for their portraits....that was rhetorical. OF COURSE there's not regret, I mean look at these colors!

4 ) More time to mingle with guests.

     Oftentimes, guests come from all over the state, country, and sometimes the world to attend weddings. Time is precious! If you do a "First Look," you can always forgo more pictures and spend that time seeing your friends and family who made the trek to watch you tie the knot, because CLEVER YOU, you already took your photos! You'll also get a chance to relax before the fast-pace reception where you're most likely going to boogey down on the dance floor for the next couple of hours without much of a break!

5 ) Time for creative and fun photo ops!

 There's so many cute and fun things you can do for a "First Look" that you wouldn't be able to create at any other point in the day; you sneak up behind your man and surprise him, or both be blind-folded and take them off at the same time, or hold balloons in front of your faces until I count to "three" and release to reveal yourself all gussied up to one another--the possibilities are endless and always super cute! Best of all, this moment doesn't have to be cut short by the officiant telling you to face forward and begin the nuptials; you get to relish in it!

     So, have I convinced you that a "First Look" is magical, fun, and probably a really good idea?! If you're still dead set on the old romantic tradition of "no eyes till I Do," I won't hold it against you (I was that bride, too)! All that matters is making that once-in-a-lifetime moment as special, romantic, and unforgettable as the rest of your wedding day. No matter what you choose, it's going to be memorable :)

Happy wedding planning!

~ Hali Rose

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