ShouldYou
HAVE A FIRST LOOK ON YOUR WEDDING DAY?
Learn more
ABOUT US
We are a team of exceptionally passionate creatives who are dedicated to authentic wedding day storytelling.
OUR FAVORITE VENUES
Pine Knob Mansion
Planterra
Lovett Hall
Greenfield Village Eagle Tavern
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If you are considering having a first look, but don't know how it will affect your wedding day, then we are here to help! We are neither for or against first looks. It's a very intimate and personal decision for each couple, but there are some benefits to consider when making your decision.
A first look is when couples see each other for the first time on their wedding day. This can happen during the ceremony, which is a traditional first look, or it can happen before the wedding ceremony, which has become very popular in the last few years. We love when our couples choose to have a first look before their ceremony, but only when it's absolutely necessary for us to achieve the wedding day portraits they desire. Simply put, if you only give your wedding photographer one hour between your ceremony and reception to take all of your wedding day portraits, you are probably setting yourself up for disappointment. If there isn't much time between the ceremony and reception and our couples desire the fun, artistic and creative wedding portraits, then we will advise them to consider a first look so that we have adequate time to capture those portraits.
Some couples think that having a first look will take the emotional aspect out of seeing their partner as they walk down the aisle on the wedding day. We are here to assure you that it does not. The moment you take your first step down the aisle towards your partner, even if you saw him or her earlier that day, once you begin walking with the intention of exchanging vows and declaring your love in front of your family and friends, your heart will warm with excitement, love and anticipation. Having a first look does not change that, we promise!
A first look can be quite beautiful and intimate if arranged so that it happens in a quiet place with just the two of you. Perhaps you want to still walk towards each other and have a moment to just be alone, or maybe you can tap your partner on the shoulder. Once you see each other, make the moment special and spend some time just being together before all of the hustle and bustle of the wedding day events. Your photography team can help you arrange this, and we promise this is a very lovely moment.
What is a wedding day first look and should you have one?
Learn more
ABOUT US
We are a team of exceptionally passionate creatives who are dedicated to authentic wedding day storytelling.
OUR FAVORITE VENUES
Pine Knob Mansion
Planterra
Lovett Hall
Greenfield Village Eagle Tavern
BOOK US
If you have a first look, then your wedding day can be more relaxed since the most important part of your wedding day has already been done-the moment you saw each other for the first time. Typically we'll set up your first look then spend some time photographing you together before we invite your wedding party to join us to finish up wedding party portraits. After spending time with the wedding party we can arrange to take your immediate family formal photographs before your guests begin to arrive for the ceremony. Then we'll hide you away, and once your nuptials are done you and we snap a few extended family photographs you are free to enjoy your own cocktail hour and we can photograph it! Without a first look you can almost never attend your own cocktail hour, and in fact, your photography team will ask you to extend it as long as you can so they have more time to work. Cocktail hour is usually only enough time to capture family photographs and maybe a few photographs of the wedding party, and it leaves us very little time to work with our couples one on one. That's why we love first looks.
When don't we love first looks? Well, you don't need to have a first look if you have plenty of time between your wedding ceremony and reception. For example, if your wedding reception is at 2:00 p.m. and your cocktail hour begins at 5:00 p.m., then you probably do not need to have a first look. Having your wedding ceremony and reception at the same venue doesn't mean you don't need a first look. Often, our couples will think they are saving time by not having to change locations for their wedding day festivities. And while this is true in some cases, more often than not it's actually better to have that initial photo session before the ceremony because cocktail hour is usually only enough time for family photographs and a few of the wedding party.
To have a first look or not is your decision. Our job is to tell you what we can do with the time we are given, but the ultimate decision belongs to you. If you aren't sure about the timing of your day discuss it with us and we're always happy to work out the perfect timeline with you so you have a fun, easy and stress free wedding day.
What is a wedding day first look and should you have one? (continued)
Some couples think that having a first look will take the emotional aspect out of seeing their partner as they walk down the aisle on the wedding day. We are here to assure you that it does not. The moment you take your first step down the aisle towards your partner, even if you saw him or her earlier that day, once you begin walking with the intention of exchanging vows and declaring your love in front of your family and friends, your heart will warm with excitement, love and anticipation. Having a first look does not change that, we promise!
A first look can be quite beautiful and intimate if arranged so that it happens in a quiet place with just the two of you. Perhaps you want to still walk towards each other and have a moment to just be alone, or maybe you can tap your partner on the shoulder. Once you see each other, make the moment special and spend some time just being together before all of the hustle and bustle of the wedding day events. Your photography team can help you arrange this, and we promise this is a very lovely moment.
If you are considering having a first look, but don't know how it will affect your wedding day, then we are here to help! We are neither for or against first looks. It's a very intimate and personal decision for each couple, but there are some benefits to consider when making your decision.
A first look is when couples see each other for the first time on their wedding day. This can happen during the ceremony, which is a traditional first look, or it can happen before the wedding ceremony, which has become very popular in the last few years. We love when our couples choose to have a first look before their ceremony, but only when it's absolutely necessary for us to achieve the wedding day portraits they desire. Simply put, if you only give your wedding photographer one hour between your ceremony and reception to take all of your wedding day portraits, you are probably setting yourself up for disappointment. If there isn't much time between the ceremony and reception and our couples desire the fun, artistic and creative wedding portraits, then we will advise them to consider a first look so that we have adequate time to capture those portraits.
What is a wedding day first look and should you have one?
If you have a first look, then your wedding day can be more relaxed since the most important part of your wedding day has already been done-the moment you saw each other for the first time. Typically we'll set up your first look then spend some time photographing you together before we invite your wedding party to join us to finish up wedding party portraits. After spending time with the wedding party we can arrange to take your immediate family formal photographs before your guests begin to arrive for the ceremony. Then we'll hide you away, and once your nuptials are done you and we snap a few extended family photographs you are free to enjoy your own cocktail hour and we can photograph it! Without a first look you can almost never attend your own cocktail hour, and in fact, your photography team will ask you to extend it as long as you can so they have more time to work. Cocktail hour is usually only enough time to capture family photographs and maybe a few photographs of the wedding party, and it leaves us very little time to work with our couples one on one. That's why we love first looks.
When don't we love first looks? Well, you don't need to have a first look if you have plenty of time between your wedding ceremony and reception. For example, if your wedding reception is at 2:00 p.m. and your cocktail hour begins at 5:00 p.m., then you probably do not need to have a first look. Having your wedding ceremony and reception at the same venue doesn't mean you don't need a first look. Often, our couples will think they are saving time by not having to change locations for their wedding day festivities. And while this is true in some cases, more often than not it's actually better to have that initial photo session before the ceremony because cocktail hour is usually only enough time for family photographs and a few of the wedding party.
To have a first look or not is your decision. Our job is to tell you what we can do with the time we are given, but the ultimate decision belongs to you. If you aren't sure about the timing of your day discuss it with us and we're always happy to work out the perfect timeline with you so you have a fun, easy and stress free wedding day.
Should you have a wedding day first look? (continued)
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ABOUT US
We are a team of exceptionally passionate creatives who are dedicated to authentic wedding day storytelling.
OUR FAVORITE VENUES
Pine Knob Mansion
Planterra
Lovett Hall
Greenfield Village Eagle Tavern
BOOK US
Michigan wedding photography by Kellie Saunders, LLC. Kellie leads a team of dedicated and passionate wedding photographers in Michigan who service the Metro Detroit area. Her team provides wedding photography in Detroit, Ann Arbor, Royal Oak, Rochester, Birmingham, Port Huron and the entire metro Detroit area. This award-winning team's work has been published both locally and nationally. Her team of professional Michigan wedding and engagement photographers have an authentic documentary wedding photojournalism style while creating timeless signature fine art wedding portraits. Please inquire for destination weddings.
©2023 KELLIE SAUNDERS
DETROIT MICHIGAN WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERs
725 S. Adams rd., suite 140, Birmingham, MI 48009
KELLIE@KELLIESAUNDERS.COM
313-468-0273
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