First Look: Precious Wedding Moments!

The "first look" is a photographic snapshot of the moment you meet your future spouse. But how do you capture the perfect "first look" for your wedding?

Wedding Memories: Getting Ready & First Look

Something many people tend to confuse: “Getting Ready ” is different from the “First Look.” Of course, both can be captured on camera. During “Getting Ready,” the process of getting dressed, having your hair styled, and getting in the mood for the day with your bridesmaids and groomsmen is photographed. The “First Look,” on the other hand, is about seeing your spouse for the very first time in their full wedding attire. It’s really about that very first moment when the bride and groom meet: How do your eyes light up at the sight of your future wife? How much do you have to smile when you see the colorful socks of your soon-to-be spouse? And how do your children react? A professional photographer can capture all these fleeting yet important wedding moments perfectly.

The First Look: A Special Wedding Moment

Of course, you can take photos of yourselves with your smartphones when you meet, but it’s actually nicer to simply take in the moment and enjoy it. In the background, the photographer can do their job in the blink of an eye. After all, this requires real skill—there’s no second chance with first looks! So make sure you choose photographers who know how “first look” shoots work and have experience with them. The wedding photographers from Austria that we recommend definitely fall into that category!

Do you want to see the bride before the wedding?

If you decide to go for the ultimate surprise, you can really wait until the moment you’re at the altar and have the “first look” happen then. Traditionally, the groom is already standing at the altar, and the bride walks down the aisle and taps her future spouse on the shoulder from behind. It’s only when he turns around that the groom sees his bride in all her glory—and all the wedding guests are watching! This is incredibly romantic—you should just make sure to coordinate your wedding outfits a bit when planning them. You don’t necessarily have to show each other pictures of your outfits; it’s enough to agree on a specific color palette.  

Off-Site "First Look" Photo Shoot

If you’d prefer something a little less high-profile, you can have your first look off-site. This means the photographer will capture your reunion at a prearranged location—for example, during the photo shoot the day before. The first look is especially striking if you use blindfolds or ribbons for your first reunion and remove them at the same time.

First Look Photo Shoot at the Hotel

Are you having your reception at a hotel and have you both gotten ready in a hotel room with your stylist and maid of honor? Perfect! A hotel is the ideal setting for your first look. For example, you can both step out of your hotel rooms and have the photographer take your picture. Hotels often have impressive galleries or staircases that are perfect for a “first look” moment. But even if you got ready for your wedding day at home: Great spots for the “first look” can be found anywhere! The important thing is to decide on the location for the “first look” with your photographer ahead of time. That way, you’ll have plenty of time to prepare for this special, fleeting moment.