When I look back on my wedding day with Andrew, my very favorite part went like this:
After my hair and makeup were ready, Andrew met me at my hotel room and, together, we slowly walked two blocks from my hotel to our venue (we were married at an LDS Temple in Nauvoo, Illinois), holding hands and laughing the entire time. My dress was still in a huge white bag and, as we walked, Andrew held the bag high into the air and I kept saying “Don’t drop it!” and, honestly, it was one of the happiest moments of my life. We were getting married that day! We were so excited and couldn’t believe that, by the end of the day, we would be husband and wife. Being together early in the day was such a wonderful and beautiful experience and, like so many couples who see each other before the wedding ceremony, I’ll always cherish that extra time we got together. It was the sweetest way to start our wedding day!
So! Because of this! It’s no surprise that I am a huge advocate of first looks. When a bride and groom ask me if they should go for one, I always say a version of this:
“Y’know, I leave this up to the couple. For tight timelines, it does makes everything easier and it is definitely something to consider. But! The important part of your wedding day isn’t timelines. The most important part of your wedding day is how you feel and how you want to feel and, when my couples do first looks, most everyone is happier and more relaxed. Sometimes, even if you are the most chill bride, the wedding day can be a little intimidating and, when my couples see each other before the wedding, it’s like all of that melts away. You’re together and it’s amazing and it’s such a wonderful experience that, instead of festering, the nerves just go away. If you definitely do not want a first look, don’t do one. But! If you are on the fence at all, then yes, absolutely. You should have a first look.”
I’m going to sound cheesy here but I mean every word of what I’m about to say. Your wedding is about you. Yes, it’s important to your parents and your grandparents and your siblings and your cousins and your friends but, when you boil the meaning of a wedding day down, a wedding is about two people pledging to share their lives with one another and, honestly, there is nothing more beautiful than that. If you want to be with your future husband or wife all day long, I say go for it! If you want a first look, do one! If you are more traditional, embrace that! Every couple is different and, while a first look is not for everyone, they are such a beautiful part of a wedding day when they are included. I love photographing first looks but, really, what I love most is that two people are so in love that they want to be together forever. Getting married is amazing! And, if you want one, first looks are amazing, too. I totally, definitely, and absolutely recommend them.
Weddings | Engagements | Seniors | Families | Personal
Inquire About Your Wedding Date + Book Your Session With Lissa Chandler Here
* Lissa Chandler is a creative portrait and wedding photographer in Northwest Arkansas who specializes in lifestyle family, senior portrait and wedding photography. Lissa is known for creative and emotive photography in Northwest Arkansas and currently lives in Fayetteville with her family: a husband who also loves photographing first looks, a four year old who has discovered (and loves!) toy videos on YouTube, and a two year old who is basically heaven in the shape of a crazy, super hero obsessed, blonde haired toddler. Lissa is currently booking 2015 Spring Senior Sessions, 2015 & 2016 Weddings, and 2015 Lifestyle Newborn and Family Sessions in Fayetteville, Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale, and all of NWA. She is available for wedding work nationwide. *