FIRST LOOK
Why a "First Look" will be a game changer
Your wedding day is a whirlwind of emotions, excitement, and love. It’s a day filled with beautiful moments and cherished memories, but it can also be a bit overwhelming. Among the traditions and customs that accompany this special day, the ‘First Look’ photoshoot is a trend that has gained popularity in recent years. If you’re wondering what a ‘First Look’ is and whether it’s right for you, read on to discover why this pre-ceremony moment can be a game-changer for your wedding day.
What is a ‘First Look’?
A ‘First Look’ is an intimate and private photoshoot between the bride and groom before the wedding ceremony. It’s a moment where you see each other for the first time on your wedding day, and it’s captured by your photographer.
Bridal Appointment Tips
Timeline: From Yes to getting dressed
Most bridal boutiques won’t have your dress ready to take home with you on the day of your appointment. You are most likely going to get a new dress made to order. This will usually take anything between four and eight months. Also don’t forget you will have at least 2 – 3 fittings before you have your final dress.
If your timeline is shorter than the above mention period, take a deep breathe and DO NOT STRESS. Lots of boutiques will have something on “the rack” that will most likely need a few alternations.
To ease your nerves, ensure that you dress will be in time, phone the boutiques ahead of time to see if your dress will fit in your wedding timeline before you make an appointment.
The Budget
This isn’t set a budget and then blow it. This is really set the budget and stick to it. Wedding dresses vary so drastically in prices you could spend a couple of thousands to a couple of hundred thousands. Be firm!
If you have someone who is buying the dress for you, have this conversation with them beforehand so you both on the same page and of course to avoid disappointment. There is no bigger disappointment than finding your dream dress and then seeing that its out of the budget. It is soul crushing.
Setting the budget means that the sales consultant at the bridal boutiques will only show you those dresses within your budget.
On a PS note about budget, not forget to think about accessories like veils, jewellery, shoes and hair accessories. Be mindful that some alterations could be added. Make sure when you purchase your dress that you are aware of ANY additional cost surprises.
Research: Designers and Bridal Boutiques
My goodness this could be one of those dark rabbit holes. There are thousands of designers and bridal boutiques. Doing some easy research will help narrow down the search for the dream dress.
I would suggest searching on social media, find some photographers pages, look at the dresses, the photographer usually tag all the vendors in their posts.
Most bridal boutiques won’t have all their dresses online but they will stock the designers. Find your preferred designers and then narrow the search to those boutiques.
Create your Mood Board
The best part! Creating your wedding dress mood board! Pinterest is easiest the easies for this, upload all the dresses you are drawn too. As you go along, the more you add the more you will see a pattern emerge of the fabrics and silhouettes that keep recurring.
The Entourage
Just like your wedding guest list, deciding who comes with you during your bridal appointments can really make or break this should be fun and exciting experience.
I can’t stress this enough…..bring people who’s opinions you value the MOST!
The saying too many cooks in the kitchen could not be any truer for choosing your dress. The opinions of too many people could become stressful and confusing!
Think quality over quantity. Two to four people is more than enough.
Avoid fake tans and heavy makeup
It’s only natural that you would want to feel absolutely SMASHING and GLAMOROUS when trying on wedding dresses, please bear in mind that fake tans and heavy makeup could be easily transferred onto the dress. Lets be kind to the dress and the future brides who want to try on the samples.
If you feel better tanned, make sure you tanning day is a few days before your appointment so that it has time to settle. And with the make up, remember, a little goes a long way.
If you know more a less how you would like your hair to be done on the day, try and get your hair to resemble that style. It doesn’t need to be done by a professional but you could for example, if you know your hair is an “undo” throw your hair in ponytail. This with give you a realistic idea of how you will look on your wedding day in that dress. Also you can tick off buying hair accessories too.
Smash a burger before you bridal appointment!
If you anything like me, HANGRY is not a good look on me. Wedding dress shopping can be draining and most likely will be the entire day! And lets face it, there is nothing worse than shopping on an empty stomach!
So make sure you schedule a lovely lunch with your entourage and pack those snacks. You have an epic day to get through!
Lastly, be opened minded.
So you have done all the research, stalked wedding photographers pages, found designers, set your budget and created your mood board. You got this!
But there is that annoying but again, be opened minded! Try something that you might not think you would like. Sometimes, just sometimes you land up with something you didn’t expect. But the only way you will know is if you try.
Your body confidence is going to need a boost during this time, wedding dress shopping could be stressful. So give yourself extra extra love during this time.
Why Should You Consider a 'First Look'?
1 – Emotional Connection
2 – Reduce Nerves
3 – Extended Photography Time
4 – Capturing Genuine Reactions
5 – Privacy and Intimacy
6 – Calmer Transition:
Why Should You Consider a 'First Look'?
Emotional Connection: The ‘First Look’ allows you and your partner to share an emotional and heartfelt moment away from the crowd. It’s a chance to connect, exchange words of love, and soak in the significance of the day together.
Reduce Nerves: Wedding day jitters are common. A ‘First Look’ can help alleviate anxiety by allowing you to see your partner and share a private moment, which can ease your nerves before the ceremony.
Extended Photography Time: With a ‘First Look,’ you can complete a significant portion of your formal photoshoot before the ceremony. This frees up more time to enjoy your reception and spend time with your guests.
Capturing Genuine Reactions: Seeing your partner’s genuine reaction to your bridal look can result in some of the most heartwarming and authentic photographs of the day. These emotions are often more raw and unrestrained in a ‘First Look’ setting.
Privacy and Intimacy: The ‘First Look’ provides a private and intimate setting to share personal vows, exchange gifts, or simply bask in each other’s presence without the pressure of an audience.
Calmer Transition: Walking down the aisle can be nerve-wracking. Having a ‘First Look’ allows you to have a quieter, more peaceful transition from being single to being married.
Tips for a Memorable ‘First Look’
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Choose a Special Location: Select a location that’s meaningful to both of you or one that offers a beautiful backdrop for your first meeting.
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Personalize Your ‘First Look’: Consider exchanging heartfelt letters, gifts, or even sharing a toast to make this moment even more memorable.
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Trust Your Photographer: Your photographer will guide you on how to make the most of your ‘First Look.’ Trust their expertise, and let them capture the emotions naturally.
In Conclusion
A ‘First Look’ photoshoot isn’t for everyone, and that’s perfectly okay. It’s a personal decision that should align with your preferences and the overall vision for your wedding day. If you value intimacy, want to capture authentic reactions, and desire a more relaxed timeline, a ‘First Look’ may be the perfect addition to your wedding day. It’s a chance to create a beautiful, private, and emotional moment that you’ll treasure forever in your wedding album. Ultimately, it’s about making your wedding day uniquely yours and celebrating your love in the way that feels most meaningful to you.
