There are a million and one reasons to have a first look. We love them because they make for some of the most emotionally-charged wedding photos.  There are plenty of reasons not to as well, such as tradition or logistics, but we find that your whole day is improved by seeing your soon-to-be-spouse prior to your ceremony. We’re going to lay out some of our reasons that we love for our clients to have a first look on their wedding day!

You get to choose to keep an intimate moment to yourselves, or to not.

Any too-intense emotions that overwhelm you during a first look won’t be as public as they would be if they were to happen when you were walking down the aisle. On the flip side, you can have your wedding party or your family peep in on your first look and share in the moment. Annie and Tyler chose to have their parents on the sidelines during their first look, letting them share in this intimate moment.

Any opportunity that we have to make beautiful photos should be taken.

Lighting in churches and similar ceremony sites is normally fairly bad, but with a planned-out first look you can have a gorgeous location, perfect lighting, and impeccable photos of you seeing your spouse for the first time on your wedding day. That’s not a moment that you want to be ruined by dim, yellow church lighting or embarrassment over the fact that you’re bawling in front of everyone you know. See how sweet this outdoor setting is for Brooke and Aaron‘s first look?

You get to spend more time with the love of your life on the biggest day of your lives.

Having a first look can ease some of the anxiety that comes with waiting to see your significant other. Any stress that can be alleviated on a wedding day should be! Once you’re in the arms of your spouse, the rest of your day feels like nothing. Shoot, you’re ready to face the rest of your lives. This quiet, personal moment between Sally and Daniel is heartwarming and deserves its own place and time!

You deserve to show off how good you look to everyone!

Traditionally, a first look takes place between the two parties getting married. However, it’s a fun opportunity to do a first look with a parent, a friend, or your wedding party! Laura chose to surprise her bridal party with her dress, and their reactions were everything!

Logistically, it just makes sense.

If you see your partner before your ceremony, you have more time to do couples photos, wedding party photos, and family photos before the ceremony even takes place. This can remedy a lot of the stress of trying to get everything done before making it to your reception. And besides, nobody has ever complained about having too many photos of them and their spouse! Your first look can naturally transition into couple photos, with both of you feeling joyful and at ease. Nina and Karen are the perfect example of this!

A beautiful angle of Vonnie’s gorgeous braid.

This is the first time we have ever dedicated an entire blog post to someone other than our clients. But during multiple weekends this season we have had the pleasure to work with hair stylist Kylie, from Mani Mela, and we felt like we just had to let the world know how awesome she is. Kylie is all-around incredible at what she does. She is crazy talented at her craft and can create countless unique looks that are catered to her clients desires (look at the variety of styles in the pictures below!) What is really exceptional about Kyle is the speed, attitude, and dependability that accompanies her sheer talent. One of our brides, Vonnie, raved about Kylie because on her wedding day, she styled 10 girls’ hair and did each one flawlessly with grace, joy, and care. For a bride to be able to fully trust that they can depend on their hair stylist, for perfect hair and perfect timing, it truly a gift on their wedding day. Kylie gives that gift to every bride she styles. Kylie, we love your work, we love the way you work, and we love working alongside to help create the perfect day for our lovely couples.

An engagement shoot is most generally thought of as a great way for you and your fiancé to celebrate your commitment to one another. But there’s another great purpose it serves… It’s your time to practice!

Any great athlete will tell you how important it is to practice before a game. And any great singer isn’t going to step on stage without having rehearsed a few (hundred) times… So why approach your wedding day any differently?

Plain and simple, your wedding day is YOUR day. It’s your “big game” and it’s your “sold-out show.” Sure, you’ve already planned to practice in some ways; hosting a rehearsal of the ceremony and running through your vows before you say the big, “I do.” But do you know how comfortable you are in front of a camera?

An engagement shoot offers you some time to get acquainted with your wedding photographer, and also with the idea of getting hundreds of pictures taken of you. (Your photographer wants to make sure he doesn’t miss any magical moments on your wedding day, so remember, you will be in front of the camera A LOT.)

Make it a point to have a practice round with your photographer so he can get to know you and your other half a little better. Then, you don’t have to worry about stiffly posing in front of the lens when your big day comes around. You will thank your photographer, and your photographer will thank YOU for the opportunity to get a little more comfortable with each other.

So go ahead and book that engagement shoot already! Because a little practice can go a long way!