As a photographer, I can appreciate the many reasons why couples choose to have a first look. However, on my wedding day, I chose not to see my husband until I walked down the aisle. So, I can understand both sides of this decision. There’s been a lot of information written online about why first looks are beneficial, but what if you choose the more traditional approach? What does that mean for your wedding day timeline?
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Here are a few suggestions I would make to ensure you still get all of the photographs you desire:
1. Set aside 30 minutes before the ceremony to have bridal portraits taken. During this time be sure to include your bridesmaids and immediate family members. Set aside another 30 minutes to do the same for the groom.
2. Ask your guests not to step into the aisle to take your photograph or the groom’s photograph as you walk down the aisle. Since this is the first time you will see one another, it’s very important that the photographer have a clear line of sight to capture both of your reactions as you approach the altar. (Read more about why unplugging your wedding is a great idea in an article I wrote for Southern Maryland Weddings.)
3. After the ceremony, allot 30 to 40 minutes to photograph all family members with both the bride and groom, as well as the wedding party as a whole. You will then need another 15 to 20 minutes for just the bride and groom. This will allow you to take pictures in a couple different locations, ensuring variety in your portraits.
4. Since you’ll be taking a lot of formal photos after the ceremony, you’ll need to have a cocktail hour for your guests to keep them occupied during this time. It’s best to have this at a location separate from the dining area. You’ll want to keep the dining area closed off from your guests and allow your photographer to take some wide shots of the entire room, detail shots of the place settings, centerpieces, cake, etc. before any guests enter and disturb all of your beautiful, hard work. Since your photographer will be working with you immediately after the ceremony, this will need to happen as soon as all of the formals are complete.
5. Consider leaving your reception for about 10 minutes during sunset for additional bride and groom portraits. (I would recommend this even if you have a first look!)
It’s possible to still capture everything you want without a first look, but you’ll need to make sure you give your photographer time to do it in your schedule. If anyone has any other tips, I’d love to hear them!
