Planning A First Look For Your Boston Wedding
- Communicate Loop your photographer in early discuss vision, timing and logistics well ahead of the big day
- Allow time Build cushion into the timeline add extra minutes for traffic, weather and nerves
- Keep it intimate Limit onlookers fewer family/friends means less stress and more authentic emotions
- Choose wisely Pick a private, easy-to-access spot have a backup location in case your first choice is busy
- Stay flexible Expect the unexpected weather, schedules and emotions can shift—trust your photographer
One of the best ways to make sure your Boston wedding photos are done quickly and efficiently is to do a first look before your wedding ceremony. This allows not only you, but everyone in the photos to maximize the time enjoying the cocktail hour and wedding reception. There are some common mistakes couples make with their first-look pictures.
Here are some suggestions to help you first look great!
Keep your Boston Wedding Photographer Informed
One of the essential things to keep in mind for perfect first-look photos is keeping your wedding photographer in the loop. You have to talk with your photographer regarding your vision of the first-look. Hopefully, your photographer has photographed several dozen, so ask them for advice if you are not sure about the specific details.
You should discuss logistics, positioning, timing, and other things beforehand. Throughout your engagement, it’s a good idea to check in with your photographer. I recommend connecting with them half way through your engagement, about 5 weeks before the wedding, and one last time the week of your wedding. This way, you are carefree during the moment and the Boston wedding photographer you’ve hired can document your first look just as you planned.
Allow Enough Time For The Photographer
For a first look, you want to be relaxed. You should talk over your timeline with your photographer. Plan to build in some extra time for your photos. If you think your photos are going to take 40 minutes, give yourself an extra 20. If you know how traffic is going to be or if it’s raining, you might want to wait it out for a few minutes. Sometimes the day will take a life of its own, but it’s always best to stick to your original plan
Don’t Bring Your Family and Friends
It is one of the major mistakes I see done by couples. While having their first-look photos taken, couples bring their family with them. This can cause an added layer of stress and distraction. A lot of the time my clients just want to see each other, and when there are several family members around everyone is giving you their two-cents. It’s ok to tell them not to come to the first look. Use this time to have a nice moment with just the two of you. They will have plenty of time throughout the day to spend time with you
Pick a Quick and Private Location
A lot of couples will overlook this, but Boston can be really busy on a Saturday afternoon during wedding season. The first-look photo is a special moment between you and your partner. As a wedding photographer in Boston, I’m always looking for a nice quiet place for my couples to enjoy their first look without other people taking photos of them and interrupting their first look to talk to them. During the planning process, try to have a couple of different options for a first look because if one is crowded, you can move to another one that is close by.
Don’t have any Expectations
Your first-look can be different from others and it can be anything you want. There is no particular way to photograph the first-look, so you do not have to replicate what you’ve seen other couples do in the past. You can also combine the traditional with the latest trends to make your first-look astounding. Talk it over with your wedding photographer and come up with something that is unique for you and your partner.
Trust Your Photographer
There’s a good chance you have looked at dozens of Boston wedding photographers and you have hired one that you trust. So if they tell you that a first look on the beach on a bright sunny day at 2 p.m. isn’t going to work, trust them. Sometimes clients can’t always see what their photographer's vision is, but it’s important to trust them. Come back during sunset for those beach photos.
Leave Your Flowers Behind
Brides always ask me this right before they see their groom. There’s no need for them if you’re going to give him a hug, and there’s a good chance you’ll need both hands to carry the train of your dress.
A first look is a special moment that deserves to be captured wonderfully. Utilize these tips in planning your first look and your photos should turn out flawlessly.
First Look Planning Boston — FAQs
What is a “first look” and why should we consider one?
A first look is a private moment when couples see each other before the ceremony. It calms nerves, speeds up formal photos and lets you enjoy more of your cocktail hour and reception together.
How far in advance should we plan our first look?
Discuss the concept with your photographer a few months ahead and confirm details about five weeks before your wedding. Allow extra buffer time in your schedule on the day itself.
Who should be present during the first look?
Keep it just the two of you (plus your photographer). Inviting lots of family and friends adds stress and distraction; they can join you later for photos and celebrations.
How do we choose the perfect location for our first look?
Pick a quiet, private spot near your venue with good light and easy access. Have a backup plan if your first choice is crowded or the weather doesn’t cooperate.
Do we need to hold flowers or props during our first look?
Not necessarily—most couples prefer to embrace each other with free hands. If carrying a bouquet feels awkward, leave it aside and focus on the moment.
