You have probably heard the term “first look” before, whether it be from us or from other wedding blogs. We did not invent it, but we are definitely advocates for it! In retrospect, it was the one thing I would have done differently for my own wedding. I so wish I had heard of it before, or had someone to explain to me that it won’t ruin the moment when you walk down the aisle, or how it would have given us more time together, and could have been a great way to ease the butterflies in my stomach. But I didn’t, so here I am, hoping to be that person for all of you!

Once you are all beautiful, dress is on, makeup is perfect, hair is ready, we take you away to a location to have your moment. Your private moment alone (well, we are there to document it, obviously). This location could be somewhere remote, depending on how far away, or at your hotel or wedding venue; every time it’s different. We try to pick a location where you really can be alone, no randoms watching, but of course, that is completely up to you. Some brides choose to allow their bridal party or close family members to watch off in the distance. At this location we will stand off to the side and allow you to surprise for future Bride/ Groom and then document all the moments along the way!

For you: You get a moment alone before the ceremony to soak it all in! I know at our wedding, it all went by so fast, I don’t know that I truly ever felt “in the moment”. I was having the time of my life, dancing, laughing, smiling, spending time with friends and family, but I sort of felt like I was on a cloud. I wish I would have done a first look so that I could have had an extra hour to spend with my future husband, without all the wedding festivity distractions. A moment to look at him and say “I can’t believe it! This is OUR wedding!” then give him the biggest hug & kiss with pictures to document it! When you walk down the aisle, that hug and kiss doesn’t come until the end, and I know I really needed a hug right then ;O) . There were so many eyes on me, I was totally nervous, not to mention the only thoughts going through my mind were I can’t believe this it! and oh lord, please don’t let me fall! LOL. My eyes were still locked with Jerod’s but all I wanted to do was get up there, hold his hand, and give him a hug & kiss.

For us: By choosing to have a first look, we are able to get all of your family pictures done before you even walk down the aisle! Which means you get more time to have fun! It gives us more time to create great portraits, more opportunities to have a change of scenery. Typically, family portraits and bride & groom portraits are taken during your cocktail hour, which is usually only 1 hour. By having a first look, we can take that entire hour (if we wanted) and devote it to just you and your spouse! Or, if the timeline allowed for us to take all your pictures before the ceremony, then you can actually attend your own cocktail hour, say hello to all your guests, and come time for your reception — you can dance the entire night away! I know I could have used another hour of dancing, that’s for sure!!

Here are some of our favorite First Look Moments