Cindy and Cody are married! Part II - The First Look

One thing I LOVE is when the Bride and Groom agree to do a "First Look." What is a "First Look" you ask? Well, it's when the Bride and Groom decide to see each other before the ceremony. *Gasp* "Say what!?! Isn't that bad luck?" No. That is just something that they told the Bride and Groom back when arranged marriages were common. You can read more about it HERE.

There are several reason for doing a "First Look." It can help calm nerves and allow you to really enjoy that moment of seeing each other for the first time. But for me, as a photographer, what I really love about "First Looks," is that I get more time with YOU (the Bride and Groom)! What usually happens is that there are several request for pictures before and after the ceremony for family formals, bridal party, and other things.  The result is that the Bride and Groom forget to leave time for themselves. The "First Look" ensures that you get quality time in front of my lens.

With the "First Look", we make sure that there is time set aside for just portraits of the two of you, but before we even begin with your mini session, we help set up the moment when you first see each other dressed and ready to walk down the aisle. From a distance we capture that moment for you - the anticipation as the groom waits, the excitement as the bride walks closer to her future husband, and then the moment where the groom turns around and sees his bride - the moment where you see each other for the first time. Yes, it's almost like her walking down the aisle, but this way allows you to actually enjoy that moment. When you have that moment for the first time during the ceremony, it's hard to enjoy it. The room is full of people, the ceremony has begun, and you're distracted by trying not to fall off the alter (ok, maybe not the last part, but you get what I am saying).

But unlike seeing each other at the alter, once you're ready and he is finished telling you how beautiful you look, you both are whisked off to a private photo session with me again guaranteeing that you get quality time in front of the lens.

Also, since you, the Bride and Groom, have already seen each other, it also allows me to do all the formals that would have been done after the ceremony BEFORE the ceremony which means... MORE PARTY TIME! For the Bride and Groom, not me ;) 

Luckily, the "First Look" is becoming more and more popular these days and I have more and more brides that request or agree to do this.

Cindy was one of those brides that agreed to doing a "First Look!" and I absolutely love the reactions we captured for her and Cody. I don't think her smile could get any bigger. They were both truly happy to see each other.

Comments

[Isabel Gonzalez]

Wow! This is absolutely amazing! Great work! I met Cindy through a friend of mine a couple of years ago, and you're right! She looks amazing. Congrats to both of you!