First Look or NOT

First lets look at what the term means. “First Look” is a first look is when the couple sees each other for the first time on their wedding day. Traditionally this has been when they walk down the aisle in the church and the groom sees his bride for the first time. However there are so many types of couples now and add to that you are not going the traditional church wedding for the most part when you are planning a Key West destination wedding.

Orgins

When couples were married in a church (all guests are required to stay in their seats and be respectful of the environment) they planned their ceremony then usually and hour or two later their reception, in between they would go to a beautiful park etc. to do family, bridal party and couple photos – then arrive later for the reception. With a destination wedding when your ceremony is on a beach, garden, or pier (guests are not as respectful LOL and often there are as many phones as guests and usually not seated) in addition to the fact that your ceremony and reception are located within the same venue. Either way – couple now are preferring to see each other for the first time in an intimate private moment – this allows them to pull out of the crowd and have a personal moment together on their wedding day. Make your Key West destination wedding special.

What is the “First Look”

The bride sneaking up behind the groom The groom standing anxiously, with a smile of sheer anticipation. The look on the groom’s face as he sees his bride for the first time in her wedding dress. Everyone knows that first looks can be truly magical and especially intimate. It is filled with raw emotion and heartwarming embraces that make for the best photographic moments.

When you choose to have your first look at the ceremony there are many things to consider – first and foremost you can not not touch, giggle, kiss or speak to each other – also the aisle is far from the straight and respectful location of a church – and – then after you have been married you will go right into group photo, family photos, bridal party photos and just when you think you can’t smile again its time for your couple photos (which is when most couples just want to get to the party). You are usually limited to one location for photos.

There are many benefits to a First Look:

Start your day earlier (more hours together on your wedding day).
You have only one wedding day why not spend all day and night together.
Your couple photo proceed all the family, bridal party and friends. You will have more options for candid photos, locations, and fun together before the formal photos required for the family.
You (your family and bridal party) are all included in cocktail hour. Why have all the most important guests including you two eliminated from 1/4 of the reception?
Why have all the most important photography squeezed into the 1-hour cocktail? This means limited options for creativity, locations, and fun.

IF you choose NO first look:

You may want to consider earlier ceremony time to ensure there is daylight for your couple and formal photos
You may want to consider adding time between ceremony and reception for photo fun