First Look
Seeing your partner for the first time on your wedding day is electric. Expect sparks to fly all over again!
Traditionally, the first time you see your partner on your wedding day is when you walk down the aisle at the ceremony. More recently, couples have been opting for a ‘first look,’ a separate, private moment between you and your partner before the ceremony. This modern tradition is a beautiful opportunity for you and your partner to take a break from the busyness of the wedding day and allow you to connect and celebrate, just the two of you.
Keep reading to learn more about the advantages of doing a first look on your wedding day and if this modern-day tradition is right for you.
1. You get more portraits and authentic moments
Wedding days are hectic, but doing a first look gives you more time with your photographer to capture some of your favorite moments. Along with having more pictures to choose from, a first look showcases the most genuine and authentic emotions between you and your partner. The raw joy and love you have for your partner will shine through in every photograph you take—just the two of you being together on the happiest day of your life. These images are timeless and will likely be the ones you print out and relive for years to come.
2. More quality time with your partner
You may be surprised at how little one-on-one time you’ll have with your partner on your wedding day. From getting ready with your wedding party to the ceremony to the reception, most of the day is spent around your loved ones and guests. A first look allows you to spend quality time with your partner before the ceremony starts.
Depending on the size of your wedding, it can also be nerve-wracking to be emotional in front of a lot of people. With a first look, you don’t have to worry about what other people are thinking; you can be raw and real with the person who means the most to you.
3. Calm any pre-wedding nerves
Being nervous on your wedding day is normal. You’ve spent the last year or more planning every little detail and preparing yourself for marriage, so when the day comes, it can be overwhelming. A first look is a great way to calm those pre-wedding jitters. Seeing each other before the ceremony can alleviate some of the nervousness and create a sense of calm, allowing you to fully immerse yourselves in the experience.
4. Extend your wedding timeline
Your wedding day is a whirlwind and goes by faster than you could ever imagine. A first look can help streamline the logistics on your wedding day. By seeing each other before the ceremony, you can accelerate the timeline, allowing for a smoother transition from the ceremony to the reception. This can be particularly beneficial if you’re planning to have a cocktail hour immediately following the ceremony, as it gives you more time to mingle with your guests and enjoy all of the festivities.
5. More time with your wedding guests
Who doesn’t want to spend more time conversing and celebrating with their guests? Again, the day goes by so quickly, and if you have an extensive guest list, it can be hard to have dedicated time with your guests. With a first look, the majority of your portraits are done before the ceremony. That means that after the ceremony, you may only need family and wedding party pictures before you can mingle at cocktail hour. Now you’ll have the time to enjoy every part of your wedding day and make memories with your guests that will last a lifetime!
Is a first look right for you?
There’s nothing more magical than seeing the love of your life for the first time on your wedding day. Whether you see your partner for the first time before your ceremony or as you walk down the aisle, the experience is serene.
A first look is deeply personal and has many benefits, but it’s not for everyone. Discuss the possibility of a first look with your partner and decide what matters most to you both on the wedding day. Are candid photos important to you? Are you or your partner nervous in front of crowds and want some time together before the ceremony? There’s no right or wrong answer. At the end of the day, it’s your wedding, and no matter what, it will be an incredibly special day.
Your wedding day at Cornman Farms
If you decide to do a first look, our property has several picturesque areas that will be the perfect backdrop for your first look portraits. Schedule a time to take a look at our stunning wedding venue in Ann Arbor and start your forever here.