I'm a wedding photographer based in Ottawa Ontario, but travels worldwide. My photography approach is intentional, honest and editorial. An organic approach to capture fleeting moments. This blog lives to inspire your wedding photos and provide you planning tips.
In a traditional wedding, it’s customary that you don’t see your partner until the ceremony starts when one of you walks down the aisle and the other waits down the aisle. Seeing each other BEFORE the ceremony has become fairly popular. I’m here to explain the great benefits of having a first look on your wedding day.
Imagine this, on your wedding day the nerves are high. You both are anxiously waiting for the ceremony to begin until you get to see each other down the aisle. What if instead, you took one of the partners into a private place, no people and swoon over each other.
Not only will you be able to see each other in private. You get to embrace each other, cry together, hype each other and enjoy that moment for as LONG as you wanted.
It’s a sad truth that you spend little to no time alone with your partner during your wedding day. Normally couples’ portraits are rushed and it’s tough to get into a lovey-dovey state when you are surrounded by families and friends. After sharing your first look, the nerves get replaced by excitement and fire for each other.
Normally the wedding day starts when you walk down the aisle, ceremony would end and you rush through your portraits to make it to your introduction and then its reception time.
With a first look, you don’t just extend your wedding day but you get to spend more time with your guests. Instead of being rush through all the portraits after the ceremony because you’ve already done this after the first look, you get to enjoy your cocktail party.
My couple’s favourite photos, the one that gets printed on the album and displayed in their home are photos from the first look.
Do you enjoy hearing compliments? especially on how good you look when you just invested months on a diet, working out and money on wedding your wedding attire, hair and makeup. I would think so!
First looks are almost always MORE emotional and meaningful
Your partner can’t just full on compliment you during the ceremony and vice versa. He cant tell you how AMAZING and SEXY you look in your wedding dress. Vice versa you cant fangirl over how good your partner looks in his suit. With a first look you get to hug and embrace each other rather than waiting until after the ceremony is over which might be 30 or 60 minutes later and the reaction isn’t the same as the first time you set eyes on each other.
I’m a huge fan of enjoying the things that I paid for and spending as much time with people that carved out the time to celebrate the day with me. With a first look you are not being rushed to do ALL the portraits. 1
no rush = better photos but really just a better and relax experience
Now if your not so into the idea of a first look but still want that alone time together a first touch is a great alternative. I’ve seen couple pray during this, read each other letters or simply just talk to each other and calm the nerves.
Yup, you heard me, if you are on the fence about seeing your partner before the ceremony you can opt into doing one with your bridal party, your mom, your dad. really whoever you want to see you before the ceremony.
It’s such a beautiful moment to enjoy and I am SUCH A HUGE FAN OF FATHER DAUGHTER FIRST LOOK. I almost always cry during this time. It’s so darn emotional.
The first look is such a great way to maximize your wedding day. It not only allows you to have some alone time together but ultimately makes your wedding day more relax eliminating the possibility of rushing through all the photos and making it an overall better experience.
You are by no means required to do a first look or touch! I have a lot of couples that forgo it and their wedding day is still just as meaningful and memorable. However, I’ve seen the benefits over and over again. I want the BEST for you and whatever you choose to do, will ultimately be amazing because it’s your day.
Are you looking for a photographer? if so lets chat
Mary Calotes is an elopement and wedding photographer based in Ottawa, Ontario. Specializes in capturing genuine moments that gives you all the feels.