Let me start with a disclaimer on here before we continue…my clients are not required to do a First Look by any means! I used to feel bad for sharing this option with couples who were against it, because I didn’t want to push anything on them. However, I’ve seen the benefits of a first look over and over again, and so I only share this because I want the BEST for my couples!! It’s totally ok if couples choose not to share a first look!  It’s just my preference to do one for many reasons…. Keep reading to find out more of the benefits of sharing your first look privately! For brides not interested in a First Look, lets start chatting soon about how we’ll create a special timeline to fit everything in! 

Why It’s Worth It

40% More Portraits

You’re investing a lot into your wedding photography. With a first look, you’ll receive 40% MORE portraits of the two of you… and those are the images you will decorate your first home with! (Believe me, my house is PACKED full of our portraits!)  With a first look, you make the most out of this large investment and get the most for your money.

Enjoy the Surprise Freely

You actually get to have intimate time on your wedding day with your man. Most brides don’t realize that when you come down the aisle and totally SHOCK him with your gorgeous-ness… he can’t even tell you how amazing you look.  He can’t touch you, embrace you or even SPEAK to you. You have to wait until 30 minutes later when the ceremony is over for him to react and tell you how amazing you look.  And after 30 minutes of the ceremony, the reaction isn’t the same as the initial first glance.

Extend Your Day By 3 Hours

First Looks allow you to extend your wedding day.  Normally the wedding day would start when you come down the aisle, then the ceremony would end, you would rush through portraits so that you’re not late for the introductions and then it’s reception time.  With a first look, your wedding day is extended by almost 3 hours! Instead of being rushed for your bridal party portraits… you actually get to enjoy them and have fun hanging out with your BEST friends on your wedding day.  The WHOLE first half of my client’s wedding albums are filled with images just from this time together before the ceremony.

Your Only Alone Time

First Looks allow you to be TOGETHER and alone on your wedding day. When Christopher and I saw each other, not only was it intimate, it was our only time to be alone the whole day! We cried and laughed and cried some more… and then that put us in the PERFECT mood for our romantic portraits. Normally portraits are a little rushed after the family formals, and it can be hard to really get back into that “lovey dovey” mode…. especially with family around! When you have just shared your first look, you’re READY to love on each other, and I always capture some super sweet images during those moments!

Diminishes Nerves

You get rid of your nerves!  I’d say, literally half of my couples who have decided to do a first look, the grooms were not fans of it at first. However, because they have never experienced their wedding day before, they didn’t know how nerve racking it can be. I have testimonials from so many grooms who initially weren’t a fan of the first look… but afterwards admitted to being SO much more relaxed and ready for the ceremony! 

For the Bride: Expectations

Brides, if you have never seen your man cry or get emotional, you can’t expect him to be overly emotional on your wedding day. Some guys just embrace their brides and never cry…. and that’s OK.  Some guys show very little emotion when their bride is coming down the aisle and that’s ok too.  Just enjoy this amazing day, and try not to put any expectations on him.  If you take this advice to heart, I could potentially be saving you a lot of disappointment on your day.  One thing we have noticed after shooting close to 200 weddings is that the stress and nerves that come with a wedding day can sometimes make it hard for some grooms to truly express their emotions.  It’s just a lot to take in all at once. This is a great reason to share a first look and also a great reason to give some grace to your guy!  Sure, you deserve to feel beautiful, but my encouragement to you is to enjoy this time together, no matter what his reaction is like! 

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It’s your love story. Brag a little.™

Bethany Melvin Photography is a Sioux Falls, SD wedding photographer who specializes in capturing love stories. Bethany Melvin Photography is based in the Midwest, but is available nationwide and for destination weddings. Have a question or want more information on booking? Contact Bethany today at hello@bethanymelvin.com or visit bethanymelvin.com