What Is A First Look?

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A first look is an intimate moment when the bride and groom are able to see each other before the ceremony. It’s a relatively new trend, but one that is becoming more and more popular. With that being said there are pros and cons to doing a first look, so it’s important to weigh them both before making a decision.

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After all the weddings we have hosted at The Barn at Cedar Grove we have been able to hear both sides on whether to do a first look or not. We outlined the major pros and cons below to help you and your fiance make a decision as to what path makes sense for the both of you. Remember it is your wedding day, so do what feels right to you both.

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Let's Start With The Pros Of Doing A First Look

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1. Seeing each other before the ceremony can help to calm nerves.

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You both are certainly going to have a lot of emotions running through you that morning. So, who better to bring you back down than your soulmate? It can be just what you need to take the edge off and allow you to fully enjoy the celebration. Especially if you are not usually one to enjoy the center of attention this can be a great way to support you through the ceremony.

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2. It can be a very intimate moment.

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It is probably the only opportunity you and your new husband will have completely alone. Having an intimate quiet moment is something a lot of couples value and will say is their favorite memory to look back on. It can also be a great opportunity to share more personal vows to each other that you want kept between the both of you. Surprisingly though most couples just embrace the moment together and really don't say much. You don't have to when you can just feel what your partner is feeling.

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3. Can make for some great photos.

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Without a doubt this is one of the top reasons for couples to do the first look. It provides a wonderful opportunity to let your photographer run with creativity and capture truly romantic photos of just the both of you that wouldn't happen otherwise. How great will it be to be able to look back at these photos and remember that moment.

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4. Gives you more time to spend in your reception celebrating.

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This is another big pull for the first look. Most brides and grooms want to be a part of their celebration including cocktail hour. But, that is usually the time you are off taking photos. So, that usually means you miss your cocktail hour. But this would provide a wonderful alternative. You would be able to capture the important photos without sacrificing valuable time with your friends and family in your reception.

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Now For The Cons Of Doing The First Look

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1. It goes against tradition.

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This is a huge one and one not to overlook. If tradition is important to you then it will only bother you doing it any other way. There is something very romantic about keeping traditions going and not always jumping on the "new" trend that comes along. This would be a tradition worth holding onto.

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2. It can take away from the suspense

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One of the powerful moments in a wedding is seeing how the groom reacts to seeing his bride walking down the aisle towards him for the first time. It certainly comes with some powerful emotions and the photos are second to none. All of the suspense leading up to that moment disappears if you see each other beforehand. That moment when the bride walks down the aisle is iconic. It is something you can only experience once.

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3. It can be a rushed experience.

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Let's face it, unexpected situations happening and weddings are like best pals. It just happens! So, if the unexpected happens during hair and makeup and delays preparations it can leave the first look feeling like an awkward interaction at best. That is just one scenario, but there are multiple things that could happen to delay the day causing the first look to be rushed.

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4. You will likely have to get up earlier

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To piggyback off the last one with it being rushed, to prevent that it means everything has to start earlier. Which can lead to a very long day depending on your ceremony start time. So, it would definitely need to be something established well in advance as all your vendors will need to be aware of the earlier start time. That can also lead to more expenses if the earlier start exceeds the contracted time for certain vendors. All things to be aware of when making a decision like this.

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In Conclusion

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There are clearly pros and cons to doing a first look. On the pro side, it can help to calm nerves and create an intimate moment. On the con side, it can take away from the suspense and excitement of the walk down the aisle. Ultimately, the decision is up to you and what will make you both feel most comfortable on your big day.

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You have to do what feels right for the both of you. Everything we just shared are observations or opinions of what other couples thought. So, pull out of this what matters most to you and get clear on what is most important. There is no wrong way to do this except if you pick a decision based on what other people think you should do.

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Whether you want to do the first look or not, The Barn at Cedar Grove provides a picturesque landscape with plenty of intimate areas for a first look or if you prefer to go for tradition. Our ceremony location is what wedding dreams are made of. We would love to have you and your fiance come by for a private tour of the venue.

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Just simply click the link to get access to our price sheet. Then we will be in touch to help you book your private venue tour.

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Learn more about our packages and pricing here

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Ready to celebrate you,

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The Barn at Cedar Grove Team

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