What detail could be hammered out so swiftly? The first look. Or, I guess, more accurately, the decision to not do a first look. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with this term, let me explain. A first look occurs when the bride and groom (and the photographer) steal away for a few minutes prior to the beginning of the ceremony. Everyone is all dolled up, ready to get hitched. It's the first time the bride and groom see each other on the day, and more often than not, it's the first time the groom sees his bride in her dress and full matrimonial get-up. The photographer then snaps some stellar pictures of the raw emotion of that moment, like these:
Photo by Ryan Estes Photography
Photo by Jonathon Campbell Photography
Image via Green Wedding Shoes / Photo by Jagger Photography
Beyond the logistics, Mr. Snow Cone and I independently decided that the first time we want to see each other is when the church double-doors open right before I walk down the aisle. I never really realized this was a "moment" over the course of a wedding day until I read a "Dear Abby" letter about how an elderly woman's most cherished wedding day photo is a snapshot that a guest took, featuring the groom's face the instant he saw the bride for the first time at the base of the aisle. Then, 27 Dresses really drove the point home that seeing the groom's face when he sees the bride for the first time is not a sight to be missed. I was convinced, but I'm only half of the equation. When I brought up the whole "to look or not to look" debate to Mr. Snow Cone, he summarily laid down the groom law and said that he was not having a first look because he was so excited for the surge of adrenaline that accompanies that opening of the doors at the base of the aisle. And just like that, it was decided. No first look for us.
Are you having a first look? How did you decide?
We decided to do a first look and loved it. I just posted pics and our "why" all about it: http://thistleandclovers.blogspot.com/2010/12/aint-no-mountain-high-enough.html
ReplyDeleteIt's such a personal decision & was perfect for us. Sounds like you and GG have decided what's perfect for you two and that's what it's all about :-)
We're doing a first look, and one of our biggest factors is also logistics; but for us there won't be any time between ceremony and reception (the ceremony won't even start until 7 pm because we're doing the whole she-bang in a museum) and we didn't want to miss the beginning of our reception taking pictures.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy with our decision though, because I feel like it'll calm my nerves to see fi before the actual ceremony!