First Touch at Weddings!
What’s the most memorable moment at a wedding ceremony? Without a doubt, it’s when the groom first lays eyes on the bride - that emotion, the wow factor, the giddiness - they’re all markers of what the couple feels on their Big Day.
But instead of doing it in front of an audience - i.e., all the guests during the wedding march - couples now prefer to do a First Look photography session. It’s a private moment when the bride sneaks up on the groom, and the photographer captures his earnest reaction on the reel!
Should you or should you not do it is a question of subjectivity. Many couples prefer traditionality and believe in the superstition of not looking at the bride before the wedding ceremony. But honestly? Most people love the trend of “first look” wedding photos - the sheer intimacy of the moment and how it’s digitally immortalized has become a viral trend, and below, we’ll look at everything you need to know about it:
What is “First Look” at a Wedding?
First look at a wedding is when the groom first lays eyes on the bride. However, instead of this moment being in front of a big wedding party or audience, it is now privately carried out and documented moment-by-moment by a photographer.
As for how it happens, the groom is instructed to stand at an angle by the photographer. This is strategic because his back needs to be to the bride, who enters from behind. When she nears him, the groom turns around and has his “first look” at the bride. The whole ceremony is conducted in private with only one or two loved ones and a photographer. It takes around 15 minutes total, and an additional 10-15 minutes are added to take all the pictures the couple needs.
First Look can also be accompanied by “first touch”, but remember that it must happen beforehand. This is where a screen or door separates the bride and groom, thus, they cannot see each other. Once properly situated, they then hold each other’s hands. Much like the “first look”, this moment is also documented by the photographer.
Why Have a First Look or Touch?
Weddings are extremely important milestones in a couple’s relationship. It’s the day when both bride and groom officially acknowledge and vow to stay by each other’s side through thick and thin. “Till death does us part” is not an easy promise to make - especially not in front of a host of an audience looking bleary-eyed with tears at you. It certainly takes away from the privacy and emotional aspect of the moment, which is why couples like to go for a “first look” or “first touch” scenario.
If you need more reasons, here they are:
More Photos
Cocktail hour is when most wedding photos are taken, which sets a limit on the overall timeline of things. If you go for a “first look” ceremony, you definitely have more time (and pictures) on your hand! Moreover, since it’s a private session, you can make all those picturesque, magazine-ready poses that you might have dreamed of (or seen on Pinterest)!
Alternatively, when all the important photos are taken beforehand, you’ll actually have more time to enjoy the wedding!
Being Able to Show More Emotion
Imagine being the talk of the town because Aunty Muriel saw you tearing up while seeing your partner walk down the aisle during the wedding march. Imagine the gossip you might face when all your wedding guests see you cry happy tears when your hands are given to each other at the aisle. The sheer pressure to respond properly when a hundred or more people are simply looking at your reaction to a situation can be crippling.
This is where going for the “first look” ceremony can be beneficial. You can express all of your emotions authentically and without feeling pressured. You can cry all you want, and still have time to fix your makeup. You can enjoy the intimacy of the session without feeling encumbered by the weight of any judgemental eyes.
Where to Have a First Look at your Wedding?
First Look ceremonies are highly private affairs; thus, they need to be conducted away from prying eyes. This begs the question; where exactly should the “first look” happen?
The answer: at a remote and romantic location at your wedding venue of choice. You see, most wedding venues have allocated special little nooks for the couple to hold this type of ceremony. They can be indoors and outdoors as well. The only criterion is that the ambiance needs to be atmospheric and wedding-ready.
The Abbey and The Hyde are the two venues you can book at St. James 1868. Both of them are absolutely romantic and come with their own outdoor spaces. Before the ceremony, you can conduct your “First Look” shoot within the hall or the terrace/courtyard - whatever suits your fancy. The wedding decor would be up and would certainly create a whimsical vibe to your pictures’ backdrop.
Does a First Look Ruin the Magic?
It’s subjective. Some people enjoy the “first look” ceremony and consider it an integral part of modern wedding ceremonies. Others compromise by going for the “first touch” ceremony as it’s more conjugal to traditional values and keeps the value of the moment when you meet each other at the end of the aisle.
Basically, it’s all about different perspectives. Here’s another fun fact: some people do the “first look” ceremony with people other than the groom. Brides do it with parents, best friends, the wedding party, and more!
Does it ruin the magic? There’s no right or wrong answer to that. One just has to go with their gut and decide on their own.
That said, here are some cons of doing a “first look” ceremony:
Getting a bit worn down: The thing about “first looks” is that they have to be scheduled early. Therefore, the bride and groom must get ready earlier for the photoshoot. Moreover, the dress and floral detailing on the outfit (especially the bouquet) might take a beating. The hem of your wedding dress might also accumulate dirt if the shoot occurs outdoors. You might have to hire professionals to touch you up before the wedding march.
Lack of ideal lighting: First Looks that happen outdoors may face harsh lighting as they occur during the day. Professional photographers believe this is not the ideal lighting condition, and couples may need to take more pictures at night anyway.
Nerves about staging: First looks at a wedding are intimate affairs. Seeing your partner in all their wedding regalia is exciting, but you might feel awkward about doing it in front of a photographer/videographer. This awkwardness might also come across as a tangible thing in the pictures.
Wedding party feeling left out: The First Look pictures happen before the wedding ceremony, and the rest of the party and guests have to wait for it to happen. This means they might feel left out while you’re enjoying the intimate moments with your partner. It’s best to schedule your first look at least two hours before the wedding ceremony in order to avoid this dilemma, but that means you’ll have to get up and ready earlier to manage the day’s itinerary.
Pros of First Look Wedding Photos
Negatives aside, here are all the pros of First Look Wedding Photos:
Enjoying Alone Time: Many would say that the worst part of marching down the aisle is having so many judgemental eyes on you. Therefore, the biggest pro of having a First Look ceremony is enjoying that special moment with your partner without anyone around you.
Location of choice: The great part about staging your First look or touch is that you can be in control of your surroundings. This means that you can choose the location of your liking. While most wedding venues have specially staged spaces for such reveals, you can also pick grand indoor architectural elements like staircases or lush, beautifully landscaped lawns elsewhere. You’ll just have to manage your time more efficiently if you do.
No missing cocktail hour: As mentioned earlier, wedding shoots occur during cocktail hour. So, choosing to do the first look will ensure that you can attend it with the rest of your guests and wedding party.
At the end of the day, having a first look is definitely worth considering. The goal of this article was to give you a bit of insight into this new ceremony so you can make a decision fir yourself.