How to know if a First Look is right for YOU

Almost everyyyyy couple I photograph asks me this question…”Should we do a first look?!?” And honestly, no matter what my opinion or preference is, this is a decision that YOU and your fiancé should make! But usually the reason they’re asking me is because they have no idea if a first look is a good decision for them or not! SO I decided to make a little list of things that will hopefully help you determine if this is the best choice for you and your loved one on your wedding day!

I think first looks are a great idea if:

- One of you tends to be shy in front of large crowds. Usually, if the groom gets nervous in front of lots of people, his genuine reaction might get lost amidst the nerves of the moment. Same is true for the bride. If you’re shy or nervous, doing a first look usually creates a less pressured environment and helps you focus on the moment, not the nerves. I’d also like to add, I don’t believe first looks take away from the emotions that aisle creates. Even if you’ve seen each other before the ceremony, there is something really powerful in the moment that walking down the aisle creates. Its an emotionally charged moment regardless.

-You want a few minutes of one on one time with each other before the day starts. Sometimes, brides (or grooms) can get very nervous, and usually seeing & talking to each other before the ceremony calms them down and helps get rid of some of the nerves. It also allows you two to get to spend some uninterrupted time together alone before the craziness of the day continues, which can be really intimate and special!

-You have a tight schedule & want more time on the back end of the day. Obviously, first looks are special because you get to see your spouse before the ceremony, but it’s also helpful when it comes to the timeline. The day usually tends to run a lot smoother and quicker when couples do first looks, because that means most of the photos can be done before the ceremony, which frees up a lot of time after the ceremony, for couple portraits, mingling with guests, dancing, eating cake etc. It honestly boils down to when you’d prefer to have more time, at the beginning or end of the day.

First looks might not be the best decision if:

-You’ve always dreamed of seeing your spouse for the first time at the altar. Some couples feel pressured to do a first look when that’s not what they envisioned. You should NOT feel forced to do something you don’t want to do! There isn’t a right or wrong here, its truly what you want & what works best for your day.

-One of you wants to do a first look, but the other doesn’t. Its reallyyyy important that you come to a mutual decision on this, and that you’re in agreement!

-You’re not a morning person. LOL this isn’t a joke hahah. Like I said above, first looks usually require you to schedule out the day with more time on the front end. Which means you’ll have to start the day earlier than if you chose NOT to do a first look! If you’re getting married later in the day, this doesn’t reallyyyy apply, but it still requires that your day start earlier.

With all of this said, I don’t think one option is better than the other. I’ve photographed a lot of weddings, some couples chose to save their first look for the ceremony and it was SO emotional! Some chose to do a first look privately, and it was also a really beautiful moment. Most would tell you they don’t regret their decision either way! I didn’t do a first look at my wedding, but I did chose to talk & pray with my husband behind a doorway before we walked down the aisle, which definitely helped with the nerves and was a good hybrid of both options. No matter what you choose to do, it will be special & intimate because it will be YOUR moment & YOUR day!!!

Nolan Wedding//Wildberry Farm

I always tell my couples that no wedding is perfect, and to get ready and not freak out when something goes wrong. But honestly , Melody & Tyler’s wedding was pretty close to perfect in my eyes!!

I met Melody in college and we’ve stayed in touch throughout the years. She would DM me on occasion and tell me “As soon as I get engaged, I’m booking you to shoot my wedding!” Well sure enough, the day after she got engaged, she messaged me about shooting her wedding! I was so honored and excited.

Their wedding was THE epitome of a perfect summer wedding. Sunflowers, blue skies, green grass, and a gorgeous sunset to end the day. Melody planned and decorated the entire thing, and honestly, she needs to become a wedding planner after seeing what she did at her wedding! Everything was so beautiful and intentional. She also got married at the same place I did, except she didn’t have any snow or freezing temperatures like I did at mine in January! Melody & Tyler, I truly was honored to be your photographer and witness such a beautiful day. You two TRULY are an Abercrombie & Fitch model couple ;)

Bradley Wedding//Florence, SC

OH MY GOODNESS. This wedding. My first one of 2019 & the BEST way to start off a new year in my business. Not only are these two really good friends of mine, but they are also THE most attractive couple on the planet and they made my job SO easy.

Chase & Emily met about 7 years ago, but didn’t start hanging until about 2 years after that. Emily has 7 brothers, and Chase conveniently became friends with them and started hanging around their family more. One night, one of Emily’s brothers was on a first date in Charleston. Jokingly, Emily suggested that they go and crash his date, to which Chase & her other brother were all about! When they got home that night, Emily remembers Chase telling her how much he enjoyed spending time with her. And that was the start of their relationship.

They dated off and on for a few years, but all the while, God was working on their behalf. I love what Emily said about their dating relationship: “Its not the story I hoped for when I imagined how I would meet my prince charming as a girl. But it is a story full of grace, patience, forgiveness, growth and love. I'm glad that no matter how many times I freaked and pushed him away or vice versa he always came back. We always stayed friends.”

I think this is such a raw and real example of marriage, and our relationship with Jesus. Its not always perfect. It doesn’t always look like a romantic fairytale. Its not always rainbows and butterflies. But marriage is forever. Our relationship with Jesus is forever. They are eternal relationships that are full of grace & endurance. Goodness and hardships. Beauty and brokenness. But no matter what, Jesus is there. Our spouses are there. Arms open in love. Oftentimes, closeness comes through hardships. The harder the times, the closer you grow together. What a hopeful thing that is.

Emily & Chase, I couldn’t be more excited for yall and for your future together!! And on a real note, for all the beautiful babies yall will make one day ;) Marriage is amazing, and Im glad yall get to experience it together!!

A few fun facts about their wedding:

-Emily gave Chase a portrait that one of my previous brides PAINTED of them from one of their engagement photos and it was the BEST gift ever!

-Chase’s dad did the ceremony & it was the absolute sweetest, most genuine ceremonies.

-At the reception, Chase surprised Emily by singing and playing ‘You Are The Best Thing’ to her in front of everyone and OMG there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.

Todd Wedding//Greenville,SC

Some weddings, I just feel really really blessed to be a part of, I feel like God ordained just because He knew id love the couple, and I walk away from with tears in my eyes out of gratitude. THIS was one of those weddings for me.

Darby & Jimmy are some of the most fun, Jesus loving, hard working, smart and genuine people. They both come from really awesome families, are both in the medical field, and both have a heart for medical missions. I remember we were walking through the woods on Darby’s parent’s property during their engagement session as they were telling me all about themselves and I thought, “wow these are some pretty incredible people". That thought was continually confirmed over the next few months leading up to their wedding day.

Darby pulled me aside the morning of their wedding and told me that she and Jimmy met on this day, exactly 1000 days ago! They waited a long time for this day, and it was well worth it.

Watching the love these two have for each other, the Lord, their family and friends was truly beautiful. I remember I was taking photos of Darby by herself after the ceremony, and Jimmy couldn’t stop complimenting her. Their day was all about glorifying God and loving on their friends and family. Photographing their wedding was refreshing to my soul and made me extra thankful that God allowed me to meet these two and be a part of their special day.

The Best of 2018

I got in my car after my last wedding of 2018. I couldn’t have imagined a better end to the year. I pulled out of the parking lot, but the road was blurred in front of me. Tears filled my eyes. Grateful. So very grateful for this year. 

2018 was my second year of full time business. My first year, I got married, moved to a totally new place, and basically started my business all over again. It wasn’t easy. But I worked as hard as I could to make new friends, build a new clientele, and get my work out there. So, heading into 2018, I prayed and asked the Lord to give me at least 10 weddings. I felt like that was a big number. I had no clue if Id reach that goal, but I set it and asked the Lord anyway. 

Little did I know He would blow that number out of the water, giving me more than double what I asked for. Not only did He bless me with more than I asked for, but He also gave me THE best couples to work with. To meet. To get to know. To hang out with. I’ve met some phenomenal people this year. Been a part of some extremely special moments. Got to witness the start of many lives together. And for that, I’m beyond grateful. Totally undeserving. But grateful. 

I got to photograph a couple all the way from North Dakota who got married at Chimney Rock, travel to Montana for an engagement session, shoot some of our best friend’s proposal, got a styled shoot featured, was able to shoot in a few of my dream locations like Craggy Gardens and Lady Luck Flower Farm, and partnered with some wonderfully talented creatives. Never thought all of this would happen this year. But God is way bigger than my little plans. 

To all my 2018 brides and grooms, thank you. From the bottom of my heart, for trusting me with such a significant part of your lives. These images mean the world to me, because they remind me of how greatly you’ve blessed my life this year. God used YOU to show me His faithfulness, His love for me, and His blessing on my business. The highlight of my year was being a part of these moments with you. So much love for you all. 

Here are some of my favorite memories of 2018. It will be hard for 2019 to beat this.