The Benefits of a Wedding Planning Journal: How it Can Help You Stay Focused and On Task
Have You Considered… a First Look?
Photography by ELLIE GILLARD PHOTOGRAPHY
Last month we were super excited to welcome four new guest bloggers to our Bespoke Bride Boat. Martina Capodanno best know as Photostories kicked us off with her hugely successful post discussing real engagement shoots and so this month we are highly delighted to announce that Martina is back. This time she will be sharing her thoughts on another trend that is fast becoming popular in the UK – known as the ‘first look’…
“It is a truth universally acknowledged that it’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding.
However, some truths contain an air of falsehood (here’s a bit of wisdom for ya, thank me later).
A “first look” is something that’s becoming quite big here, and it’s basically just the bride and groom seeing each other right before the ceremony kicks off. There’s a bit of a debate open on this topic, some say the online trends are making people believe that if the groom doesn’t burst in tears upon seeing his dashing bride away from the crowd’s eyes, he probably doesn’t have a heart.
Now, a moved groom (or bride) is definitely cute and sweet (and heart-melting, let’s be honest), but it can also be a lot of pressure. It’s also NOT, in my humble opinion, the reason why you should consider having a ‘first look’ with your groom/bride-to-be.
These, however, are…
Photography by PHILLIPA JAMES PHOTOGRAPHY
1. It takes ‘freak out’ out of the picture.
I just wanted to get rid of this one because I’m sure 99% of grooms and brides to be don’t get cold feet. BUT in case all the planning, the stress, the hectic days that precede a wedding and a fair bit of paranoid nature happen to get the best of you, meeting your better half before going and committing to one another will send all of those nasty feelings away. You’ll probably feel a bit silly for having panicked in the first place.
2. It creates a nice ‘let’s do this’ moment.
And so, there you are. You’ve come a long way since the proposal, since you started planning, found a venue, thought of every little detail. Probably about a year has passed, and you feel like most of it has been lived with this day in mind. And now it’s happening. And now you’ve got a room full of people you love that have come to see you married to your best friend, who’s standing right in front of you, feeling exactly the same. Ready? Let’s do this!
Photography by CAMERA HANNAH
3. It’s probably the only moment with each other alone you will get before the end of the day.
Weddings are awesome. They are also chaotic and hectic. Between ceremony, celebrations, you ironically won’t get to spend much time alone with your spouse. You’ll run from one place to the other, chat with your guests, you’ll be getting much love and hugs from family and friends, and this will leave very little room for time with him/her. So why not make time, when no one else is around?
4. You can have your couple pictures taken now.
Many people don’t really like leaving their guests waiting for them to return from their couple shoot, especially if you had a special place in mind you would like to go, that requires a bit of travelling. So why not have the pictures taken when no one is yet waiting for you? You can spend all the time in the world giggling together, without worrying whether or not you’re making your guests wait for too long. This is also a great idea if you’re having a winter wedding and you prefer natural light for your pictures.
Photography by ESTHER IRVINE PHOTOGRAPHY
5. It reminds you WHY you’re there.
Hey, guess what…you’re getting married! In just a few moments you will be 50% of your new family’s core. You will be happy like you’ve never been and feel like you couldn’t want anything more from life.
Yes, that look on your face portraits all this and yes, you’re allowed to weep with joy if you feel like. It is all about to happen and you’re not alone in your happiness.”
Are you still convinced it would be bad luck?
Much Bespoke Love
Martina & Emily xx
I love the idea of a ‘First Look’ – for all the reasons in this blog! (& it’s great to get some ‘daylight’ shots for Winter Weddings!!) I’ve been trying to get my brides/grooms to do this – no takers so far – will let you know if I get one!!