DC Wedding Planning - Should we do a First Look?

While it may seem that the planning of your DC Wedding never ends, the day of your DC Wedding is going to go by in a flash! The planning you do now will ensure that you make the most of the time you have that day. After all, this is the last DC wedding you will ever have.

Having a first look at your DC wedding can save a bit of time but, like most things in life, you are trading other things to save time.

So, should you do a first look at your DC wedding?

When it comes to planning a wedding, couples have a lot of questions. As an award-winning Wedding DJ Washington DC, my passion is helping couples have the best experience possible and to be an asset in all facets of wedding planning.  This article is one in a series of articles intended to help anyone who is planning their dream wedding.

What Is A “First Look”?

A “First Look” is a moment during the wedding day when the Bride and Groom plan to see each other for the first time. The “First Look” allows couples to share this special moment together in a more private setting.

Traditionally, couples will wait until the ceremony before seeing each other for the first time. However, First Looks have become more and more popular over the last ten years.

It’s a relatively recent addition to the wedding ritual arsenal, but the practice of staging a semi-private meeting of the fiances to check each other out before the wedding ceremony begins has quickly become a very popular choice.  As an active DC DJ, I would estimate that more than half the weddings we do have a First Look.

There are pros and cons to having a “First Look” and in the end, it’s up to what you are most comfortable with. Do you really want to see each other before that walk down the aisle? Some believe it takes away from the big reveal while others find it private, intimate, and gets rid of the jitters.

Our take is there’s no right or wrong decision. It’s all about what works best for you and your partner.

We are always a fan of making informed decisions so here are some of the pros and cons so that you can make the best decision for your dream wedding.

The pros of having a First Look.

1.      Taking the bulk of your photos before the Ceremony saves time.

If you’ve been looking forward to the delicious snacks you selected for your cocktail hour or would like more time to mingle, then first look photos might be the right decision for you.

Taking pictures before the ceremony means you’ll have more time to enjoy, well, everything else (like those delicious mini tacos you picked out). Just make sure you designate a secluded spot for your first look photos so that guests won’t see you before the ceremony.

2.      A first look could ease any pre-ceremony nerves.

If you’re worried about being jittery or nervous on your DC wedding day, a pre-ceremony glimpse may be the way to go. Having a first look eases nerves, allows couples to focus during the ceremony, and is a great way to capture an intimate moment.

Once your ceremony is over many of your guests will want to steal you away for a quick selfie or to offer their congratulations. A first look allows you to sneak in a few moments alone with each other that you may not get later in the evening.

3.      You can get your tears out before the ceremony.

Weddings can be very emotional. A first look allows you to get the tears out ahead of time and in a more private setting. If you are an emotional person you might appreciate having plenty of time for makeup touch-ups before the ceremony.

The cons of having a First Look

1.      You lose having your First Look at the altar.

If you’re thinking of skipping the first look for a dramatic effect, you’re certainly not alone. It has been a wedding tradition for a reason. Delaying the first moment you see each other builds suspense and adds emotion to your ceremony.

The best way to do that is to work with your photographer to perfect your post-ceremony timeline. It may mean you need to skip out on part of your cocktail hour to get those “golden hour” shots or sneak out during the reception for extra family portraits.

2. You may be nervous about posing.

If you and your partner are both on the introverted side, it may feel awkward if you think the expectation is to make a shocked face or cry during your first look. You might be nervous about having to “act” during the first look versus the natural reaction that will occur when you see each other for the first time when walking down the aisle.

This is where it is important that you are working with a professional wedding photographer and not an amateur. A professional photographer will build a rapport with you and be able to confidently talk you through the process to make the right decision. A great photographer will want great photos as badly as you do!

3. You’ll have to get up earlier.

Taking photos earlier means you and your wedding party need to get up earlier to eat, have hair and makeup done, and get dressed. If you're having an 11 a.m. brunch wedding, that means you may have to get up at the crack of dawn to be able to do your first look.