A few weeks ago, we were interviewed by one of Denver’s finest catering companies. One of their questions was, “Which wedding trend are you looking forward to this spring and summer?” Without hesitation, we immediately answered: the first look.
The first look is simply when the bride and groom see each other in a secluded area without any distractions for the first time before the wedding ceremony. This is usually scheduled and prepared by the wedding photographer and is typically far enough away from all the hustle and bustle of pre-wedding events. What initially started out as a great photo opportunity, has quickly turned into a beautiful, organic, and intimate moment in time for a couple on their wedding day to spend a little time together with their best friend before the craziness of the wedding begins. The more first looks we have had the honor of being a part of, the more we value this time for the couple as it’s usually the only time they have alone on their big day.
To be clear, I am in no way trying to undermine the beauty of tradition and waiting until the altar. In fact, Mike and I opted for tradition ourselves, first seeing each other on our wedding day at the altar. My aim is to simply shed light on a relatively new tradition in the wedding industry and offer some considerations to couples who may be on the fence about seeing each other before the wedding ceremony.
The history of waiting until the altar dates back to the times when a father would sell his daughter to a man in the name of marriage to pay off debt, or just make a few bucks. The bride and groom weren’t allowed to see each other until the altar for the sole reason that the groom couldn’t bolt if she wasn’t his type/ugly/had a crazy disease. Seriously, that’s where this tradition began. Since the good ol’ days, it’s become a tradition to wait until the alter for the bride and groom to see each other. However, with the hectic nature of a wedding, many couples are opting for a first look.
Curious to hear the opinions of the couples who did opt for a first look, I decided to interview couples who we’ve had the honor of working with and being a part of their special moment. Hopefully their insight will help you make a decision if you’re consider whether or not a first look is for you!
