While most of my couples do opt for a first look, I certainly respect the choice of the couple either way. I’m listing a few key incentives of having a first look, not to persuade my couples, but to make you aware that if I have less time, you will have less portraits of just the two of you. I want all of my couples to feel educated about this so that they realize that if they
want a lot of portraits like what they see on my website and blog, they may not receive as many portrait images if they decide not to share a first look together.

1. You will get to spend your big day TOGETHER. At first glance this may sound crazy, but on average, couples who choose to do a first look spend about three extra hours together on their wedding day. A first look not only allows for more time for the Bride and Groom to be together on their big day, but also adds in more portrait time. Exactly how many more portraits? About 40% more. That’s more time with each other and your best friends.
2. You actually get to have intimate time on your wedding day with your man. Most brides don’t realize that when you come down the aisle and totally SHOCK him with your gorgeous-ness… he can’t even tell you how amazing you look.  He can’t touch you, embrace you or even SPEAK to you. You have to wait until 30 minutes later when the ceremony is over for him to react and tell you how amazing you look.  And after 30 minutes of the ceremony, the reaction isn’t the same as the initial first glance.
   
3. If you have never seen your man cry or get emotional, you can’t expect him to be overly emotional on your wedding day. First look or while you’re walking down the isle. AND THAT’S TOTALLY OK! But, if he’s not overly emotional in general, you may recieve more of a genuine reaction when you’re alone with each other during a first look! Some guys just embrace their brides and never cry…AND THATS TOTALLY OK! Just enjoy this amazing day, and try not to put any expectations on him.  If you take this advice to heart, I could potentially be saving you a lot of disappointment on your day.
4. Your only alone time. Really though, you can enjoy each other without the stress to get everything done at once. You can relax and really soak up the time together knowing you have time set aside for portraits with each other later and you get to spend almost the entire day together. You’ll have a few moments to breath and take it all in! Because they aren’t on a time crunch… you can casually move into their romantic portraits.  No one is around, the coordinator isn’t announcing “15 minutes left”, and there is no pressure.
   
5. Dimish nerves. Really, this is a big one! Nerves are high on the big day. I’d say, literally 1/2 of my couples who have decided to do a first look, the grooms were not fans of it at first. However, because they have never experienced their wedding day before, they didn’t know how nerve racking it can be. Afterwards, they can enjoy the day together and relax.

There are so many reasons a couple might decide to do a first look, I just wanted to share a little personal insight after shooting over 75+ weddings in the past few years!