The Complete Studio KH Wedding Guide
Section 5:
First Look
We’ve arrived at one of my favorite parts—the first look! For me, the moment prior to that first look is when your wedding day revs its engines and it starts getting real.
My number one tip: keep it simple.
Pure emotion is what drives this train. You don’t need extra moving parts, especially if they hinder your ability to be present. So while orchestrating complex reveals or meeting at a pretty clifftop outside of town sounds jazzy, in my experience those aren’t the moments most rich in emotion. Limit the amount of aspects that could go wrong. Try to avoid the logistics of driving and the stress of will-they-accidentally-see-me. Keep timing simple. Stay with those pure feelings that you probably already have right this moment. Get excited to see you person on your wedding day.
So how does it work in real life?
If you have a spot at your venue you’re dying to use, great! I’ll do my very best to make your wish happen, although I’d gently nudge you towards an open mind for what will allow for the best lighting + atmosphere + experience at the time.
Once we have our spot selected, I’ll steer one half of your unit (typically groom) to our spot with instructions to face away from your entry point. Once they’re in place, I’ll circle back to guide you to a spot about 3 paces behind your spouse-to-be. I’ll be going over the simple instructions again as we get you both in place, asking whether you would like to be the one to ask your beloved to turn around or if you’d like me to do it. And from there: you’re off! They spin! You smile! You hug!
Meanwhile, I’m slowly circling to capture both reactions before silently retreating to give you a few minutes of *actual* alone time on your wedding day. Once you’ve had your time together, we go right in to couple’s portraits unless you need a lil touch up after those tears.
Things to bring to your first look:
Rings! I prefer to have you wearing all your rings from just after the first look onwards. Even though you won’t technically be married at that point, it’ll look a bit off if all of the portraits from your wedding day don’t have you looking wed. I can also get close-ups of the ring exchange that I won’t be able to get during the ceremony.
A maid-of-honor or personal attendant. It’s helpful to have an extra set of hands to assist in arranging the dress and holding flowers while you’re emotionally preppin’ for that moment. If you go that route, I’d advise only one person to keep your first look environment as private as possible. (Unless you’d rather actively share that moment with your friends + fam as witnesses.)
Free hands! I want you to focus on the good stuff—each other. Give yourself the freedom to hug and kiss unencumbered. Take it all in. I can hold whatever you may need in my bag.
Have something different in mind for the first look? I’m all ears. I’ve seen couples add a personal letter exchange into the mix, either read before or during the first look. Some couples have approached each other face forward, as a more symbolic gesture. And I’ve seen the first look reversed to where a bride is spinning to see her groom. All of which were incredibly beautiful + memorable.
Scott reading a letter from his bride before an emotional first look.