2016 | Best of First Look | Atlanta Wedding Photographer

I absolutely LOVE a First Look. I have shared my thoughts on it on my blog before and always encourage my couples to think about doing one. I will NEVER force or pressure my clients to do one, but I will always explain it to them and let them know the benefits of it. As a bride, I did one and am SO thankful I did. As a photographer, I always do a happy dance when my clients tell me they want one.

One of the biggest things I talk to my clients about and ask them: “What is more important? Having that moment of walking down the aisle to each other? Or more pictures?” Most of my clients who are hesitant about doing a First Look tell me they don’t want to miss out on that moment of walking down the aisle. I tell them my personal experience on how I bawled both times- at our First Look and when I walked down the aisle to marry the man I loved so much- seeing him beforehand did not take away from anything when I walked down the aisle to him. I tell them that my clients who do a First Look still get “that moment” of seeing each other; in fact, I think it’s even better because it’s just the two of them with a very private and personal moment. They get the chance to cuddle, kiss, and talk. Without a First Look, the ceremony starts and there is no moment between the couple. She walks to him and they immediately start the ceremony to get married. There is no chance to talk, kiss, or do anything intimately between the two of them.

If a couple get married at 6pm, like so many of my couples do, you do not get to spend your wedding day with your almost-spouse until the actual ceremony, so there is no spending your wedding DAY together; and once the wedding starts, there are very few private moments because once the ceremony is over we move immediately to the pictures to be taken, the people who want to talk to you at the reception, and all of the different things going during the rest of the day after the ceremony. Seeing each other before the ceremony, you get to actually spend your wedding DAY together and have time to hang out, talk, laugh, and spend time with each other. Plus, if the wedding party knows each other, it makes it even more fun as they get to hang out together during the day as well.

My couples who take First Look pictures get 50% more pictures at least. I plan an hour for portrait pictures when my couples do a First Look, plus 15-20 minutes of pictures at sunset for awesome lighting. When my couples don’t see each other beforehand, they have 20, maybe 30 minutes max to do pictures after the ceremony; because beforehand we have to do all family pictures (extended and immediate), entire wedding party pictures, and then we get to take pictures of them afterwards.

Of my 18 full day weddings I shot last year, 12 of my couples opted for a First Look. I have never had a couple tell me they wished they hadn’t done a First Look, but I have had some tell me they wish they had done one. Once again, I never force my couples to do a First Look; but I will always share with them why I encourage it; and if they say no, then that’s completely fine. I hope you enjoy looking through the 2016 First Look weddings! We captured some amazing reactions!

And just for fun, you simply HAVE to check out this hilarious First Look. I cracked up the whole time I watched this. I think you will enjoy it as well! Comment below and let me know what you think of it! https://www.paulseiler.net/2017/01/gardner-hundley-wedding/

I loved Dwann and Jacob’s sweet First Look! They both had the best reactions to seeing each other! Natalie was so excited to see Brian! I LOVE her face here! Kristian and Lance originally opted for no First Look, but after explaining it to them, they had me redo their timeline to include it. They both told me they were so happy they did the First Look! I am, too! Kim and Josh had a very private and sweet First Look on a bridge at Foxhall. I loved it! Emily and Josh were so excited to see each other and get married! I love Emily’s sweet smile when she sees Josh!  Chris wins hands down for the best groom’s reaction of the year. He kept clutching his chest and saying over and over how beautiful Angel was. You can see in his face how in love he is with Angel. Ashley and Dan had such a fun First Look. Ashley laughed and smiled the whole time. I loved it!  Molly and Austin had the most emotional First Look of the year. Tears were had all around, and not just by the two of them! I tear up every time I look back through their First Look pictures. I LOVE it!  Always tear up when I look at this sweet picture! Shannon and Matt were awesome. She cracked me up during their First Look! I love Matt’s reaction to seeing her here! And Shannon saying “well what do you think? Do I look hot??”  DeAndra and Stephen were too adorable. Their reactions are so different, but so fun and totally speak to their personalities.  I love this picture that Ben captured from Jessica and Sean’s First Look. It’s moments like this I love capturing- these are the ones that don’t happen without a First Look.