First Looks

When Should the Groom See the Bride?
by Kara Schultz of Kara Schultz Storyteller

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One of the biggest debates among my couples is usually whether or not to do a first look. The first look is not for everyone. This post is going to talk about the ups and downs of the first looks. From a photography standpoint, the first look is all ups because often I don’t get the best vantage point during the ceremony when you both first see each other and I’m restricted by the areas at the church.
So here are the pro’s:

• I get the best points as a photographer to actually see what’s going on and capture it without being intrusive.
• We get more time to get pictures done so you get to enjoy cocktail hour (this is especially important if you’re having everything at one place, it gives us time to get pictures done without rushing around)
• If you’re emotional, you get to do that by yourself instead of in front of a crowd
• You’re more relaxed during the ceremony because there’s no worry about timing before the reception.
• It makes sure that family actually gets there on time (we all have that one family member who’s notoriously late!)
• Also gives time for all bridal party members to be present! I can’t tell you how often one person is running late and then we can’t take pictures and have to push them back or can’t even get to them until after the ceremony cutting into the other time set aside, with a first look, it gives everyone to get together and so that they know all pictures are beforehand.
• You get some time alone on the day of which is pretty rare!
• We can go to several different locations instead of just one in between.

Some con’s:

• You don’t get that traditional feeling of walking down the aisle and first seeing each other.
• If you already have a large gap in between the ceremony and reception, you don’t have to worry about a first look.
• With good planning, you can still get the pictures you want and get to cocktail hour too!

And to really clarify this isn’t a post about how everyone should do a first look! It’s not for everyone and everyone can decide that for themselves, it’s your decision to make not mine!
In an attempt to not make this post a million pictures because you really have to see an array of pictures from a first look, here’s a favorite from each one of the series I’m going to show you!
First up, Jessie and Mike and they didn’t really have a planned first look by any means but I’m so happy to have caught the first moments they saw each other!

Then there is Shannon and Matt who did a very quick first look! But still fun nonetheless! Some couples take more time, some take less, it always depends! It could have also been that it was around 90 degrees out that day!

Jen and Scott wanted to do a first look because they wanted a few different locations and knew there just wasn’t time in between, we ended up going to Wrigley, Harry Caray’s for a drink and then North Ave Beach before their ceremony!

Because their ceremony and reception were both located at White Pines, Katie and Mark wanted all the photos out of the way since they knew they’d do a receiving line and didn’t want to be rushed! They were so much fun during their first look and talked about their day before seeing each other. It was so cute!

Lauren and Brian also had their wedding at the same location at Winnetka Community House as well as a late ceremony, so they knew in order to get any light for photos, they would have to meet beforehand. This first look was featured on a series by the Weddingistas too! This photo makes my heart melt.

And finally, Kim and Mike’s first look that was moved to their hotel suite because of the rain! No worries though, they still had an amazing day and their first look was so much fun!

And because I said that you have to see several series in first look’s to really get an idea if this is what you want to do!

So there’s my take on first looks! I wrote this not to make all my clients do first looks or anything, that’s not the intention! I had a few ask me to talk about it more and there’s nothing better than showing you pictures right?