Is Doing A First Look Terrible Luck?

Is There a Reason the Groom Can't See the Bride Before the Big Day?

In spite of the fact that more and more couples are preferring to conduct first looks before the ceremony, either as a nod to modernity or as a means of streamlining their photography schedules, the age-old custom of the bride not seeing the husband until he goes down the aisle has not faded. Questions like, "Well, where does the practise come from?" are typical responses when considering incorporating a new tradition into your big day.

It is customary for the bride and groom to not meet each other before the wedding. This is because the bride and groom were not allowed to interact with each other prior to the altar.

Looking for wedding photography Melbourne? Look no further! Wild Romantic Photography has you covered.

Where the Tradition Began

Whether it's out of fear of bad luck or superstition, couples who aren't allowed to see one other before the ceremony report that their first glimpse down the aisle is more thrilling than they could have imagined. The origins of the ritual, however, are less than romantic. Historical marriages were often arranged for practical rather than romantic reasons. It was typical for the bride and groom to never have met prior to the wedding day.

Typically, the bride's father would make the deal in the hopes of bolstering his own financial condition through the marriage of his daughter to a well-to-do suitor. It's possible, though, that he's worried the Groom won't think the bride is lovely and call off the wedding before it's even scheduled to take place, which would be a terrible embarrassment for the bride and her family. What a terrible tragedy! The original intention of the rule that the bride and groom not see each other before the ceremony was to safeguard the family's reputation.

The veil is also significant in this context. When it comes time for the bride and groom to exchange kisses at the end of the ceremony, the groom will not be able to back out if he hasn't seen the bride's face beforehand. It was a superstition that the bride and groom shouldn't see each other before the ceremony that gave rise to the (far more romantic) belief that the groom shouldn't see the bride in her wedding dress until she goes down the aisle. The coming together of the couple to start their lives in the company of their friends and family who have loved and supported them throughout their journey is now symbolised by this ritual.

What Are the Consequences of Seeing Each Other?

Nothing at all. Some superstitious types would say that if the pair ever sees each other again, it will bring bad luck to their marriage, but we don't think so. If anything, it will take away from the thrill of a surprise.

For How Long Are We Supposed to Avoid Contact?

Depends. However, some couples may prefer to spend the morning together over breakfast before going their separate ways when it's time to get ready for the day on their first day as husband and wife.

Do We Have to Follow Tradition?

Not. It's up to the couple to decide whether or not they want to observe traditional rituals.

Recently, a rising trend has been for brides to meet their groom before the wedding. One's initial impressions are "The first time you meet each other as husband and wife is at the altar. Increasingly, it's a chance for the pair to slow down and appreciate one another." Your emotional range will remain the same even if no one is there to witness the event with you. In order to preserve the memory of the occasion for future generations, photographers and videographers are frequently on hand. The bridal party will then get together for photographs prior to the ceremony.

A number of couples have asked us if they should have a first look. We've noticed that some couples are concerned that if they meet each other before the ceremony, it may dampen the excitement they're hoping to feel at the altar. The length of time you spent apart the night before, the distance you walked down the aisle, or any other external factors should not define your first look; rather, what matters most is the look you give each other as you embark into a lifelong commitment.

Brides who prefer to wait until the ceremony to see their grooms have begun opting for "first looks" with their fathers instead. This can be just as devastating as it appears in the photographs.

We have the best wedding photographer in Yarra Valley to capture your beautiful moments on your wedding day. 

Traditional First Look (Down the Aisle)

Because of the prevalence of arranged marriages, the tradition of the groom not seeing the bride until she goes down the aisle undoubtedly began there. The soon-to-weds were not allowed to see each other before the ceremony was over, out of fear that they would try to back out of the wedding.

As an independent practise, the "perceived bad luck" custom survives even though it is no longer common in planned marriages. Seeing the bride and groom before the wedding was frowned upon as bad luck.

Despite this, many couples still use the first look as an opportunity to express their feelings aloud in front of their guests. The following are some of the broad categories into which the reasons why fall:

Avoids Starting the Day Early

The first part of your wedding day is going to be the busiest and most relaxed. Once the opening ceremonies are through, the rest of the day can have a more relaxed pace. If you'd rather spend time getting ready for the ceremony, rather than at the modern first look, that's OK; you'll have less to do in the hours before it.

Perhaps you've daydreamed about the reaction he'll have the "first time he sees you walking down the aisle."

There is no harm in opting for the traditional first glimpse. If you enjoy the element of surprise, by all means, go ahead and do it. What you just said isn't a terrible thing at all!

The Disadvantages of a Traditional First Look

• More intense forms of peer pressure (for some)
• Tensions are sure to rise when the bridal party is split apart for too long.
• The ceremony will be followed by up to an hour of formals rather than a reception.

The New First Impression

There isn't much formally recorded history about the where, when, what, and why of the modern first look; nonetheless, it was likely designed to assist the wedding day schedule go more smoothly and to give the bride and husband an opportunity to meet each other in a low-key manner before the ceremony.

The following are some of the many reasons why more and more modern couples partake in this pastime:

It Can Be More Intimate and Personal

Do you and your partner fear embarrassing yourselves in front of a large crowd?

Creating a modern first impression could lead to meeting your future best friend.

Having a private first look at your future spouse on your wedding day gives you and your partner some time to relax and get to know each other before the rest of the wedding party arrives.

You may want your spouse to cry as they watch you go down the aisle. It is true, however, that some males (particularly men) struggle to express their feelings openly. For a contemporary first impression, a small group of very close relatives and friends is perfect.

To this day, it is not uncommon for the bride and groom to share a tear as she walks towards the altar, even with the advent of the contemporary first look.

You and your partner spend more time together during the day.

You will be unable to avoid one another, so you will have plenty of opportunities to spend time together beyond the wedding and celebration. You'll be able to spend a lot more time together as a group.

Your first chance to see the groom before the wedding means that everyone in the bridal party may begin prepping for the big day at the same time. The good news is that the wedding party can keep going for a while longer.

Starting to think about hiring a wedding photographer? Check out our range of Mornington Peninsula wedding photography here.

Ceremony, followed by more partying!

The bulk of the photo taking can be done before the wedding begins. If you choose, you can do the immediate family members in advance of the event. Take pictures with the elderly and the larger groups of people who are likely to be related and who either couldn't or didn't want to arrive early.

The time between the ceremony and the reception should be used productively, thus it is best to take the formal shots (first glance, etc.) beforehand if at all possible. Most guests don't get antsy as they watch one another leave for the party. Your photographer will have extra time to take shots of the reception area before the guests arrive.

Difficulties with a Contemporary First Look

• A wedding ceremony may need to begin a bit later than intended if a first look is to be held, and if formal photos of the wedding party and family are to be taken before the ceremony as well.
• In no way should you skip out on the customary first look with your potential spouse.

The Expert Opinion: First Look vs. Down the Aisle

Having fewer family formals right after the ceremony makes for a more pleasurable reception, thus most photographers propose a first look as a way to combine modernity with tradition. To us, it comes down to individual preference and what best fits into your daily routine to determine which schedule option will work best for you, but either way, you can have a fully functional schedule. Efficacy: First Glance vs. Walking Down the Center. If you’d like to work with professional photographers for your wedding, book with us at Wild Romantic Photography.

The "first look" refers to the moment on the wedding day when the bride and groom see each other for the first time. Some people think it's disrespectful to the bride to snap images of her getting ready to walk down the aisle before the ceremony.

While some older women might feel uneasy about it, many contemporary brides are seeing the benefits of seeing their prospective husband before the wedding thanks to this current photography trend.

It would be helpful to hear from photographers about the pros and cons of capturing first look photographs. Before you decide to take first look photos, consider the following pros and downsides.

PROS

In solitude, you can have one of the most romantic moments of your day.

In the quiet of your first glance photos, you may tell each other how much you care without disturbing the flow of your busy day. You can finally let loose your emotions and cry your eyes out before the big event in this quiet space.

When you first see one other at the altar, you should not touch or speak to each other. The first time my husband and I saw one other, he became emotional, but I don't think he would have felt that way if we had done it the traditional manner and everyone was there to witness it.

You're not going to miss the cocktail hour.

You can enjoy the reception you've planned so hard for for longer by scheduling a first look photo session before the ceremony. To make sure the bride and her family are ready to party with the rest of the wedding party and guests during cocktail hour, it is a good idea to take their portraits immediately after the first look.

CONS:

Seeing each other before the ceremony is unlucky.

In times past, when arranged weddings were more popular, the bride and groom would sometimes be kept separated before the wedding in case either of them disliked the other's appearance. The idea that it is unlucky to glimpse one's future spouse before the altar originated from this practise.

New Brunswick-based wedding photographer Kandice Brown is pleased to report that in her five years in the business, she has never seen a modern couple call off their nuptials because of an unanticipated ugly.

The final word on whether or not my couples should see each other before the wedding always goes to their emotions. Don't worry yourself silly, because today has enough stress in it already.

It can dampen the anticipation of making your way down the aisle.

For the sake of good luck or to preserve the magic of the bride's entrance down the aisle, many engaged couples forego a first look.

This is an unusual wedding practise.

For the more traditional bride who wants her wedding to look like her parents' or grandparents', this fresh take on wedding photography might be too out there. Older people may not understand the attractiveness of this type of photo shoot, and their opinions should be considered if they are paying for the session.

Planning your dream wedding and don’t want to miss out on the special moments on your big day? Worry no more, Wild Romantic Photography has you covered.

You and your spouse should do what feels natural to you and savour the first glimpse of one other on your wedding day.

Conclusion

It is traditionally bad luck for the groom to view the bride before the wedding, but more and more couples are opting for a 'first glance'. A first look is when the bride and groom have their first opportunity to view each other in their wedding attire before the ceremony begins. It is customary for the bride and groom to not meet each other before the wedding. The origins of the ritual are less than romantic. Historical marriages were often arranged for practical rather than romantic reasons.

Looking for wedding photography in Melbourne? Look no further! Wild Romantic Photography has you covered. The veil is also significant in this context. When it comes time for the bride and groom to kiss, the groom will not be able to back out if he hasn't seen the bride's face beforehand.

Some couples may prefer to spend the morning together over breakfast before getting ready for the day. Some couples are concerned that if they meet each other before the ceremony, it may dampen the excitement they're hoping to feel at the altar. If you enjoy the element of surprise, by all means, go ahead and opt for a 'first look' with your partner. Having a private first look at your future spouse on your wedding day gives you and your partner some time to relax and get to know each other before the rest of the wedding party arrives. Some men struggle to express their feelings openly in public, so a small group of very close relatives and friends is perfect.

The "first look" refers to the moment on the wedding day when the bride and groom see each other for the first time. Some people think it's disrespectful to the bride to snap images of her walking down the aisle before the ceremony. Most photographers propose a first look as a way to combine modernity with tradition. When you first see one other at the altar, you should not touch or speak to each other. To make sure the bride and her family are ready to party with the rest of the wedding party and guests, it is a good idea to take their portraits immediately after the first look.

For the sake of good luck or to preserve the magic of the bride's entrance down the aisle, many engaged couples forego a first look. New Brunswick-based wedding photographer Kandice Brown has never seen a modern couple call off their nuptials because of an unanticipated ugly.

Content Summary: 

• Although it is considered bad luck for the groom to view the bride before the wedding, more and more modern couples are choosing to forego convention in favour of a first glance.
• Simply put, it's magic.
• A first look is when the bride and groom have their first opportunity to view each other in their wedding attire before the ceremony begins.
• It's a special time for the bride and groom to be alone, without the eyes of the world on them.
• An exquisite wedding tradition, first looks allow the bride and groom to share a private, emotional moment gazing down the aisle at one other before the ceremony begins.
• Many brides find their first look with the bride's father to be equally meaningful as, if not more so than, their first look with the groom.
• How do you feel about making a good first impression?
• Doing a first look with your parents can make for some lovely photographs, but it is ultimately up to you and your spouse.
• Seeing your prospective spouse or parents for the first time will be a lovely and unforgettable moment for you and them.
• In spite of the fact that more and more couples are preferring to conduct first looks before the ceremony, either as a nod to modernity or as a means of streamlining their photography schedules, the age-old custom of the bride not seeing the husband until he goes down the aisle has not faded.
• It is customary for the bride and groom to not meet each other before the wedding.
• This is because the bride and groom were not allowed to interact with each other prior to the altar.
• Where the Tradition Began Whether it's out of fear of bad luck or superstition, couples who aren't allowed to see one other before the ceremony report that their first glimpse down the aisle is more thrilling than they could have imagined.
• The origins of the ritual, however, are less than romantic.
• Historical marriages were often arranged for practical rather than romantic reasons.
• It was typical for the bride and groom to never have met prior to the wedding day.
• The original intention of the rule that the bride and groom not see each other before the ceremony was to safeguard the family's reputation.
• The veil is also significant in this context.
• When it comes time for the bride and groom to exchange kisses at the end of the ceremony, the groom will not be able to back out if he hasn't seen the bride's face beforehand.
• It was a superstition that the bride and groom shouldn't see each other before the ceremony that gave rise to the (far more romantic) belief that the groom shouldn't see the bride in her wedding dress until she goes down the aisle.
• However, some couples may prefer to spend the morning together over breakfast before going their separate ways when it's time to get ready for the day on their first day as husband and wife.
• Not.
• It's up to the couple to decide whether or not they want to observe traditional rituals.
• Recently, a rising trend has been for brides to meet their groom before the wedding.
• One's initial impressions are "The first time you meet each other as husband and wife is at the altar.
• The bridal party will then get together for photographs prior to the ceremony.
• A number of couples have asked us if they should have a first look.
• We've noticed that some couples are concerned that if they meet each other before the ceremony, it may dampen the excitement they're hoping to feel at the altar.
• The length of time you spent apart the night before, the distance you walked down the aisle, or any other external factors should not define your first look; rather, what matters most is the look you give each other as you embark into a lifelong commitment.
• Brides who prefer to wait until the ceremony to see their grooms have begun opting for "first looks" with their fathers instead.
• We have the best wedding photographer in Yarra Valley to capture your beautiful moments on your wedding day.
• Traditional First Look (Down the Aisle) Because of the prevalence of arranged marriages, the tradition of the groom not seeing the bride until she goes down the aisle undoubtedly began there.
• The soon-to-weds were not allowed to see each other before the ceremony was over, out of fear that they would try to back out of the wedding.
• Seeing the bride and groom before the wedding was frowned upon as bad luck.
• Despite this, many couples still use the first look as an opportunity to express their feelings aloud in front of their guests.
• If you'd rather spend time getting ready for the ceremony, rather than at the modern first look, that's OK; you'll have less to do in the hours before it.
• There is no harm in opting for the traditional first glimpse.
• The Disadvantages of a Traditional First Look More intense forms of peer pressure (for some) Tensions are sure to rise when the bridal party is split apart for too long.
• The New First Impression There isn't much formally recorded history about the where, when, what, and why of the modern first look; nonetheless, it was likely designed to assist the wedding day schedule go more smoothly and to give the bride and husband an opportunity to meet each other in a low-key manner before the ceremony.
• Having a private first look at your future spouse on your wedding day gives you and your partner some time to relax and get to know each other before the rest of the wedding party arrives.
• For a contemporary first impression, a small group of very close relatives and friends is perfect.
• To this day, it is not uncommon for the bride and groom to share a tear as she walks towards the altar, even with the advent of the contemporary first look.
• You and your partner spend more time together during the day.
• You'll be able to spend a lot more time together as a group.
• Your first chance to see the groom before the wedding means that everyone in the bridal party may begin prepping for the big day at the same time.
• Starting to think about hiring a wedding photographer?
• The bulk of the photo taking can be done before the wedding begins.
• If you choose, you can do the immediate family members in advance of the event.
• The time between the ceremony and the reception should be used productively, thus it is best to take the formal shots (first glance, etc.)
• Your photographer will have extra time to take shots of the reception area before the guests arrive.
• A wedding ceremony may need to begin a bit later than intended if a first look is to be held, and if formal photos of the wedding party and family are to be taken before the ceremony as well.
• In no way should you skip out on the customary first look with your potential spouse.
• If you'd like to work with professional photographers for your wedding, book with us at Wild Romantic Photography.
• The "first look" refers to the moment on the wedding day when the bride and groom see each other for the first time.
• In solitude, you can have one of the most romantic moments of your day.
• In the quiet of your first glance photos, you may tell each other how much you care without disturbing the flow of your busy day.
• You can finally let loose your emotions and cry your eyes out before the big event in this quiet space.
• When you first see one other at the altar, you should not touch or speak to each other.
• You're not going to miss the cocktail hour.
• You can enjoy the reception you've planned so hard for for longer by scheduling a first look photo session before the ceremony.
• To make sure the bride and her family are ready to party with the rest of the wedding party and guests during cocktail hour, it is a good idea to take their portraits immediately after the first look.
• Seeing each other before the ceremony is unlucky.
• The idea that it is unlucky to glimpse one's future spouse before the altar originated from this practise.
• New Brunswick-based wedding photographer Kandice Brown is pleased to report that in her five years in the business, she has never seen a modern couple call off their nuptials because of an unanticipated ugly.
• The final word on whether or not my couples should see each other before the wedding always goes to their emotions.
• Don't worry yourself silly, because today has enough stress in it already.
• It can dampen the anticipation of making your way down the aisle.
• For the sake of good luck or to preserve the magic of the bride's entrance down the aisle, many engaged couples forego a first look.
• This is an unusual wedding practise.
• For the more traditional bride who wants her wedding to look like her parents' or grandparents', this fresh take on wedding photography might be too out there.
• Older people may not understand the attractiveness of this type of photo shoot, and their opinions should be considered if they are paying for the session.
• Planning your dream wedding and don't want to miss out on the special moments on your big day?
• Worry no more, Wild Romantic Photography has you covered.
• You and your spouse should do what feels natural to you and savour the first glimpse of one other on your wedding day.