Why to Consider Doing a First Look for Your Elopement
A first look is a purposeful moment set aside for you to see your partner dressed up for the first time on your wedding day. First looks are typically filled with lots of emotion, and they’re some of my personal favorite moments to photograph. No matter how many nerves or butterflies you may be experiencing beforehand, they all seem to melt away during a first look.
Elopements are different from traditional weddings in a lot of ways, and while many couples still choose to incorporate traditional elements into their adventure elopement day, every couple is completely unique. Doing a first look may fit perfectly with the vision you two have for your elopement day, or it may make more sense not to.
To help you determine whether a first look will be right for you, here are 5 benefits to including a first look in your elopement!
1. It captures authentic, emotional photos to tell the story of your day
First looks don’t have to be overcomplicated or scary, and I think the simpler, the better! If there’s something important the two of you want to do together such as prayer, reading letters, exchanging small gifts, or any other symbolic gesture, doing so during your first look only heightens the intimacy and joy of that moment together.
Having a first look means the two of you do have to get ready separately, but only for the part where you’re getting dressed so the other person doesn’t see you in your elopement attire just yet. The rest of your time spent getting ready for your elopement can absolutely be done together if that’s important to you, and the amount of time you spend apart can be minimal!
You can help each other with hair, take a few quiet moments to write your vows together, make breakfast for each other, or any other activity you enjoy doing on a typical day! If you don’t mind the other person seeing your dress or suit as long as it’s not on you yet, you can even help each other steam your attire and do whatever you need to get it ready. The time spent together before your elopement events begin is so special, and it truly does set the tone for the rest of the day.
Check out my example timelines to see how this can look for your own elopement.
You can also have a friend or family member help you get ready if you’d like to include them in your getting ready time.
As I always say, your elopement day is all about you, so you get to choose how every part of it looks! If it’s important to you to have everything be a surprise instead of just your attire, you can still get ready completely separately (I suggest you’re both still in the same location so you’re able to have photos of both of your getting ready processes). You have all day to be together, so you can still do your first look this way if you want!
2. It allows you to spend the whole day together
At a big wedding, the couple usually spends a significant amount of time apart and doesn’t get ready together at all. While there’s nothing wrong with a little time with friends and family on the morning of your wedding, I will say my personal experience was that I really missed my husband before our ceremony!
As much as I loved seeing him get emotional when I walked down the aisle, looking back, I really wish we would’ve done a first look so we had more time together. Our wedding was small and ended pretty early in the evening, so we spent less than 5 hours together at our wedding!
The great thing about an elopement is that you have the freedom to make everything about your day your own, and that includes how you get ready. The person you’re marrying is about to be your partner for life, and I think there’s no reason to spend too much time apart on such a memorable day in your relationship.
3. It gives you an opportunity to do something symbolic
Like I said above, there are all kinds of things you can do during your first look to start your day off on the right foot. This works especially well if you’re having a ceremony with guests and you want to keep the vulnerable moments reserved for just each other. You can even read your vows during your first look and save the more traditional “I do’s” for your ceremony.
Here are a few ideas for things to do during your first look:
Exchange gifts
Read letters or poems you wrote for each other
Pray together
Share a first dance (I’ve always got my Bluetooth speaker at the ready should you decide to have a moment with your favorite song)
Take 10 minutes to sit, relax, and take in the scenery before moving on with your day
4. It sets you up for your ceremony
If it’s just the two of you, it may feel a little awkward to know how to begin your ceremony. With a first look, there’s a rush of emotions (whether it’s excitement or happy tears) that can help get the nerves out of your system and relax, allowing you to flow into your ceremony naturally.
While the butterflies may certainly flutter right back in when your ceremony begins, you’ll have your person right there, holding your hands, keeping you calm and secure.
Read more about what happens during an elopement ceremony (with script examples).
5. It leaves room to be yourselves
Being the center of attention may not be your thing, and you may choose to keep things more laid back for a ceremony with your loved ones.
If you’re not having an intimate ceremony for just the two of you (read my blog on including your family in your elopement for ideas on how to balance privacy and inclusion of your guests), it’s a good idea to set aside at least a little time for yourselves.
You only get one elopement experience, and the way you choose to do it should be a reflection of the things that matter most to you. The two of you have been through challenges, happy moments, and difficult seasons, and all of it has led you to this next chapter of your story. Have an elopement day that allows you not to hold anything back.
Where should you have your first look?
Your first look can take place anywhere! Whether it’s at your Airbnb or cabin, at your ceremony location, or a beautiful natural location, there’s no wrong way to have a first look.
Logistically speaking, sometimes it may make more sense to have your first look in a spot near your getting ready location so you don’t have to spend too much time apart getting there. If you’ve got a long drive from your Airbnb to the next location on your timeline (such as your ceremony site), it might not make sense to wait to do your first look.
However, if you want to have your first look in a spot that requires a short drive to get to, we can always find ways to make it happen! Whether it’s hanging up a sheet to separate the two of you in the car, wearing robes to cover your attire, or some other creative method to keep the first look moment unspoiled, we can definitely make it work.
You can also wait to get dressed into your elopement attire until you arrive at your elopement location! This works particularly well if you’re planning to do a long hike. Check out my short video on how to pack your dress into your backpack for an elopement hike!
What if we don’t want to do a first look?
If you’ve read this far and a first look still doesn’t feel like your thing, that’s absolutely okay! Your elopement can be whatever you want it to be, and if you want to help each other get ready (or get ready on your own but leave the “surprise” of a first look out of the equation), your elopement will still be incredibly special and meaningful. The most important thing is that your day is aligned with what matters most to you. If that’s your highest priority, everything will feel right.
Hey friend! I’m Andrea, a New Hampshire Elopement Photographer, and I’m so glad you’re here. I love helping couples plan elopements in the beautiful region of New England, and this blog is just one of the many ways I enjoy providing information that will help my couples enjoy a beautiful, fulfilling elopement experience.
Ready to begin planning your own elopement? Reach out and let’s get started!
