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WHAT IS A FIRST LOOK?
Deciding whether or not to have a first look is often a difficult decision for many couples. Follow tradition? Go the alternative route? Have that big “wow” moment down the aisle? And actually make it to cocktail hour? It’s a lot to decide and impacts the overall timeline of the day. Here at Terrace 167 we have plenty of personal indoor and outdoor spaces to do a first look.

Before we get to the pros and cons, you might be asking, “What is a first look?” A first look is when the couple sees one another for the first time before the ceremony. The couple and photograper arrange a time before the ceremony in the wedding day timeline and pick a location away from the eyes of family and friends to hold the first look. The private moment between the couple starts with the groom getting into place while the bride is tucked away, somewhere close by, so she can’t be seen. The groom stands looking away – at the photographer – while the bride starts walking up towards him and taps him on the shoulder to which he will turn around and see his beautiful bride for the first time! The first look is also an opportunity to be creative and can be done a hundred different ways.

PROS
LESS TIME IS NEEDED BETWEEN THE CEREMONY & RECEPTION
For practicality reasons (and from a photography perspective), first-looks save a lot of time by taking the bulk of the photos together before the ceremony. After the first look, it’s easy to continue on by taking bride and groom photos, followed by wedding party and even family portraits, getting the three main portraits done before the ceremony. After the ceremony, with less photos to take, couples can get to their cocktail hour or reception sooner and for the photographer, there’s less of a need to rush.

WEDDING PARTIES LOVE IT
Wedding parties love a first look and here’s why. After your first look and some bride and groom portraits, we get your wedding party to come join us and start photographing your wedding party straight away. The bridesmaids love this because they look their best and are their absolute freshest. They have just finished their hair and makeup, they don’t have tired feet from standing during the ceremony in their heals, they aren’t hungry, thirsty or have mascara running from crying during the ceremony. The guys love it because right after the ceremony they can head straight to the bar!

NO ONE IS WATCHING YOU
Because the bridal party nor family is around, that not only does it save time later in the day, but couples are more comfortable because they’re only with their photographer (and videographer) for their bride and groom portraits rather than in front of their bridal party and possibly family. This makes for less pressure to not cry or to react in a certain way with all of your guests watching. Couples tend to emote more and and more authentically when they’re alone! The

IT GIVES YOU TIME TO YOURSELVES
It allows couples a moment together before the chaos of the day really begins. Weddings are busy and because family and friends are there and everyone wants to celebrate with the bride and groom, often, couples find very few minutes to step away and really take in their day. First looks provide that chance to connect and relish in the day before being surrounded.

IT DOESN’T SPOIL THE REVEAL AT THE ALTAR
It definitely doesn’t spoil the reveal at the altar. The wedding day is so exciting that you’ll both still be overwhelmed with emotion at the altar.

IT CALMS THE NERVES
For many couples, the first look is a chance to ease the nerves and jitters before making it official. You can hold one another as long as you want and you don’t have to recite any vows while you’re doing it. And if you’re worried about crying at the altar, you can get tears out of the way beforehand and be able to touch up your makeup!

IT GUARANTEES DAYLIGHT FOR PORTRAITS
If you’re having a winter wedding, because it gets dark early, first looks guarantee you can get portraits taken during daylight.

IT’S FUN AND CREATIVE!
You can be creative! Couples read letters to one another from opposite sides of a door before seeing one another. Another bride did a first look with her father before the first look with the groom.

CONS
YOU BREAK “TRADITION”
The first con goes without saying: you lose out on the big reveal at the altar. If you’re superstitious or hard set on sticking to tradition, then the first look may not be for you.

YOU’LL HAVE TO START THE DAY EARLIER
Because first looks mean adding another event earlier in the day before the ceremony, you’ll have to be ready earlier.

YOUR FAMILY WON’T BE A PART OF THE FIRST TIME YOU SEE ONE ANOTHER
Typically, first looks are done in private which means your parents and wedding party won’t be a part of the first time you see one another. If you’re not sure how they feel about it, just ask them and then see if that will factor into your decision.

YOU WON’T ACTUALLY BE MARRIED IN YOUR BRIDE & GROOM PORTRAITS
You won’t actually be legally married in your first portraits from the first look. For some, that bothers them, for others, it doesn’t make a difference. Either way, it’s something to consider.

IT CAN ADD PRESSURE TO REACT A CERTAIN WAY
It’s rare, but for a few couples, could make you more nervous. It’s not as private as it seems since you’ll be with the photographers and videographers for such an intimate moment. But a good photographer will do their best to be as invisible as possible. Some couples also get nervous from the pressure they feel of having to react and emote on cue. And if that’s how you feel, or something about a first look, just doesn’t sit right, then don’t feel you have to break tradition.

COMPROMISES
If you’re not sure or you and your fiancé can’t agree on whether or not the first look is right for you, there are some compromises and other options.

DO A FIRST "SOMETHING ELSE"
If you don’t want to do a first look but you want a semi-private moment before the ceremony, a first-read or first-hold may be the solution. Couples have exchanged letters while back-to-back or held hands from opposite sides of an open door without seeing one another. You could even coordinate a first call.

DO A FAMILY FIRST LOOK
Have a first look with your mom or dad, your little brother, or even with your bridesmaids and then stick to tradition when it comes to your partner.

THE VERDICT
Deciding whether or not to have a first look can be a tough decision and may involve the wishes of many family members. Take into consideration your timeline, the daylight and how you feel about it all but know that, really, at the end of the day, you can always change your mind. Even on the day of! A good photographer will be able to help coordinate changes and work efficiently to gain some time when and wherever it might be.

Terrace 167, located near Milwaukee, Oshkosh, Appleton and Madison, Wisconsin is a locally owned wedding venue. We have been in the business for 9 years. We love supporting other locally owned venues and are dedicated to using our platform to support them. In every blog we write, we will include 5 to 10 locally owned wedding venues that use their articles to support their colleagues and the wedding industry in ways that are not always recognized but are essential. If you are searching for a wedding venue, please consider a locally owned venue!

For more wedding inspiration, planning tips, and engagement advice, be sure to follow Terrace 167 on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok. Let’s make your dream day a reality!

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