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Thoughts on First Looks & a STUNNING Wedding | Laguna Lake and SLO Monday Club Wedding Photograp

melissajmattson
Mar 27, 2015
3 min read

Some couples opt for a first look and some don't. It's an option that is completely up to you, and don't let anyone else make you think that one is right or wrong -- especially not your wedding photographer.

For those of you that don't know, the 'first look' is when you and your groom see each other before the ceremony. We get all set up and capture that moment when he first sees you without anyone else around and then get to do the portraits of you two before the ceremony.

Now, this can be beneficial for a few reasons.

We can choose the spot to do the first look in order to get the best lighting
You get to have this moment privately without all your family and friends being there which is good for those of you who might get emotional and prefer to do that privately
You get to get to your reception faster since we typically only need to do family photos after the ceremony

But there are also downsides.

It's not traditional, and some of us just love tradition.
While we can pick the spot to get the best lighting (as sometimes the ceremony site isn't the best lighting) generally the first looks have to happen at midday which, as a rule, just isn't the best time for photos.
While this moment is really for you two, generally your family and friends enjoy being part of that moment when everyone first sees the bride.

Your photographer should be able to capture the moment perfectly no matter when and where it is. That's part of our grab bag of skills we need before we start shooting weddings. While you should always take any lighting advice your photographer gives you they should never be calling the shots or pressuring you into a decision.

Your wedding is your day. No one else's. So listen to everyone but don't let anyone tell you what is right or wrong!

Now that my PSA is out of the way, on to this adorable couple who did opt for a first look!

These two are too. flipping. cute!

They had a small, intimate wedding that focused on all the right things and still had so many cute and creative details.

I loved getting to be a part of their day and to be able to capture their love in photos for them to cherish for the rest of their lives.

You gotta love a bride who rocks the tennies.

How freaking adorable is she?! I love this look on her face right before she gets to him! And their shoes... love love love their shoes!

Their whole bridal party was stunning! And his dad's property was a fantastic idea for a backyard wedding. And thank goodness Laguna Lake looked beautiful outside their backyard. Not all parts of the lake are surviving this well during the drought!

He's a CHP officer, as you can see by their custom cake topper! See what I mean about the amazing details?

Real laughs. She's so so pretty! She should wear her wedding dress every single day. *swoon*

Rings. <3

This one might be one of my all-time favorites. It might have to go up on the office walls soon. What a perfect little reminder of a beautiful couple married in beautiful SLO with those beautiful mountains and sunshine!

I could take photos of them dancing together forever. They're one of those couples that just melt into each other and forget that the world is even there -- which makes for stunning, emotional, authentic photos.