to first look or not to first look?

It’s fitting that I’m writing this today, since yesterday I had a long phone conversation with a bride about her wedding schedule. We talked for about an hour over the scheduled events, pro’s and con’s of when to do what, and how to move around different pieces in the time line of her wedding day. There are certain elements of every wedding that are the same (getting ready, ceremony, reception) but what they look like and what happens in between varies vastly. Some times people choose to stick with tradition and even more often people decide to plan an event around what they prefer and want their guests to experience.

I’ve complied a photo time line of one such wedding that I’m also looking forward to posting very soon! Tommy and Megan choose to have a unique mid day wedding with a high tea reception at the Williamsburg Hotel. It didn’t stick to tradition and was a relaxed and enjoyable for everyone. Get ready to scroll since there is a long list of pictures to go through.

When it comes to deciding on your wedding schedule, the most debated decision (and for some controversial) is whether or not to do a first look. Everyone wants to minimize the problem areas, and the problems center around what happens between the ceremony and reception. Guests could potentially wait for a few hours between events if not planned correctly.

When the bride and groom choose to do a first look, see each other before the wedding, and take some pictures with family and the wedding party it generally allows the day to flow more smoothly. It doesn’t take away from the time your eyes meet as you walk down the aisle, but slows those very first moments down and allows you to experience them in a more personal and meaningful way. It gives you a chance to calm your nerves, spend more time with your soon to be husband or wife, and take pictures when everyone is fresh. A first look isn’t for everyone, but if you haven’t given it any thought you should consider it.

Aside from deciding whether or not to first look, here are a few other things to consider:

• decide what you will do after you exit the ceremony – receiving lines, exiting by row, dismissing guests and greeting at the reception are all options that take different amounts of time
• people will arrive to the ceremony 30 minutes before – and a few earlier
• build in time for travel – if you’re going to different locations arrange who will drive you bring any of your bags, etc…
• people dance at night, which means they most likely won’t dance at a afternoon wedding
• how many family pictures do you want to take? the more people the more time needed
• once the major events are done during a reception, people will start to leave. If you want to have an exit you should set a time and do so when people can send you off
• hungry guests are not happy guests
• it takes the right personality to come in to the reception and immediately have a first dance (just my opinion)
• it’s okay to be away from the reception for pictures when people have something to do
• there are only so many dancing pictures you need
• don’t be afraid to do things differently – make your wedding personal and something people will remember