Being a Monterey wedding photographer, I often have a conversation with couples who are on the fence about a First Look. I know it just seems like one more thing to add to the wedding to-do list, but here are some tips for brides thinking about a First Look. And compelling reasons do so…

Portrait Time

Imagine this: you wait until cocktail hour to do portraits because you want the first time you see each other to be when you go down the aisle, but then cocktail hour arrives and it starts raining! You and your photographer only slotted one block of time for portraits but the weather is not agreeing. This is a nightmare for the photographer and the bride and groom! Seeing each other beforehand gives a safety net to the portrait time. It also provides the opportunity for more pictures, so you have more options to choose your favorites!

Intimacy & Privacy

As a Monterey wedding photographer, I tell my brides that they don’t want their first look to be with everyone. There’s a sense of privacy and intimacy seeing each other for the first time on your own: you can touch, feel, hold, and kiss your groom in the moment without an audience. You are encouraged to sit with each other in the moment. Bonus points: your hair and makeup person may stay after your private moment to retouch your makeup so you are refreshed for the ceremony!

You Can Enjoy More of Your Wedding

Let’s be real: you have all of your closest friends and family in one place to witness your wedding. Do you really want to be taking portraits during cocktail hour instead of mingling with guests and asking how they are doing? Seeing each other before the wedding gives you that time back: you can bask in the compliments of your friends, hug that relative you don’t see often, and truly enjoy the wedding you planned.

What If…

What if you had a special moment with your dad as well? The pictures end up being so sweet! Sometimes it’s important to recognize what a big day this is for the dads as well!

Interested in having me photograph your Monterey, Carmel or Big Sur wedding? Contact me here!