Sydney Couple First Look Q&A – Nicole & Jason

SHE SAID

Had you ever heard of a first look prior to me suggesting it?
I had not heard of the first look until we met with you.

Why did you choose to do a first look?
We chose to have it after you sold it to us as a private moment between just the two of us.

Did you have any reservations prior in doing a first look compared to the traditional groom sees bride first at the alter?
I guess initially you think you shouldn’t see each other prior to the ceremony but we soon realised that it was more important to have that moment alone and we loved it.

 

Can you describe your emotions during your first look:
It was an emotional time walking up to Jase with his back turned, and I couldn’t wait to see his face as he turned around. When he turned around, I could see the happiness in his eyes and it made the moment so special. After the first look it was really calming but we just couldn’t wait to get to the church!

 

Jason and Nicole choose to coordinate an exchange of love letters immediately prior to their First Look.

What was the experience of writing and reading your love letter?
Writing the love letter was difficult to put into words everything you feel and want to tell him just before the wedding. He had put so much effort into the letter itself (even down to the stationery) and his words just made me melt. The information you gave us was a good starting point, but at the end of the day it’s all personal and such a great thing to keep to read back later of all the emotions we felt leading up to the day. I have read my letter again several times since.

What was it like during the photo shoot after the first look?
It was a good time to get photos with the rest of the bridal party prior to the ceremony, as well as enjoy the moment with all of them.

Was it a special moment in your wedding day?
It was a really special part of our day and we then got to relax, enjoy it and take everything in.

Did it make the moment you saw each other at the wedding aisle any less special due to doing a first look?
It definitely didn’t take away from the first moment we saw each other in the church. The emotions were all still there because of all the other guests.

Were there any practical benefits to having a First Look?
It was raining on the day of the wedding, but the location that Sam had chosen for our First Look had a ideal spot for some photos out of the rain. This allowed us to get photos with our bridal party and family that would not have been possible later in the day after the wedding.

Did my presence at the first look detract from the overall experience?
It didn’t take away from the moment having you there as we couldn’t see you and were too caught up in ourselves anyway. I think we got some more personal shots than we would have otherwise, as the first glance in the church we are miles apart so you don’t get the full emotion of the two of us together.

Would you recommend it to other friends?
I would recommend it to friends definitely!

How would you summarise your first look experience
“The first look with Jase was one of the best decisions we made. The build up of emotion and the amazing photos that were captured for a lifetime that are completely candid and show how happy we are.”

Nicole choose to have a First Look with her Dad prior to her First Look with Jason.

How your first look experience with your Dad?
“The first look with Dad was so emotional too, seeing him tear up as he saw me for the first time, looking so proud and it was a really special moment that is captured in some fabulous shots.”

HE SAID

Had you ever heard of a first look prior to me suggesting it
I had not heard of the “First look” prior to your suggestion.

Why did you choose to do a first look?
We decided to go with the first look as the concept of seeing each other prior to the ceremony ready to head to the alter as “our Moment” appealed to us.

 

Did you have any reservations prior in doing a first look compared to the traditional groom sees bride first at the alter?
Despite feedback from some people close that it was not traditional and that they were against the concept, I never considered changing my mind, we considered it our day and it should be what we wanted.

 

Can you describe your emotions during your first look:
Waiting for Nicole was a relaxed anticipation, reading the letter took the “edge” of the moment, when she arrived it cemented the day as our day and we were able head to the ceremony as a couple.

Jason and Nicole choose to coordinate an exchange of love letters immediately prior to their First Look.

What was the experience of writing and reading your love letter?
As I read the letter it made me think of why we had arrived at this moment, it was a reflection of our lives together prior to our wedding day and reaffirmed to me that we should take time to enjoy the day together.

What was it like during the photo shoot after the first look?
The photo shoot after the “first look” with our bridal party and parents was fantastic, we enjoyed ourselves knowing we were about to head off and become husband and wife with those close to us.

Was it a special moment in your wedding day?
While the moment was special I found it more of a catalyst to allow us to enjoy the other special moments of the day. The moment was made special because it started our wedding together, not as two individuals turning up in isolation to marry each other. The moment we were together for the first time ready to get to become husband and wife was the most special.

Did it make the moment you saw each other at the wedding aisle any less special due to doing a first look?
I don’t think the first look detracted from seeing each other seeing each other at the alter for the first time, If anything it allowed us to be more relaxed and enjoy the moment.

Were there any practical benefits to having a First Look?
Having the first look allowed us to enjoy the day after the ceremony, we did not need to concern ourselves with spending hours getting photos from the day as we knew that we already had already gotten many of the important photos prior to the event, I also feel that the photos we got prior to the ceremony were more “Natural” as it allowed us time to get important photos without the concern of having to rush off to the reception for our guests, it made the reception and after the ceremony more relaxed and allowed us to enjoy each other’s company.

Did my presence at the first look detract from the overall experience?
The “format’ in which the first look took place as suggested by you made it more special, it was not just a photo shoot, the letters to each other made it more of a special experience. The presence of you and your team went unnoticed; my focus was in the moment and Nicole.

Would you recommend it to other friends?
I would definitely recommend to friends that they consider it and share my experience, It is important that couple do what is right for them, the first look was right for us.

How would you summarise your first look experience.
“I would certainly recommend any couple consider the idea of a “First Look” to add to the experience of their wedding day, the first look gave us another moment to keep in our memories of the day and helped us to enjoy each “moment” during the day without distraction. The first look also made the day more relaxing and as a result we enjoyed the day together better than we would have otherwise. Some of our best photos came from the first look and it also allowed Sam and her team the opportunity to get better photos throughout the day”.

 

 

Any other info that you think should be passed onto other brides or grooms considering a first look or for brides.
Consider how the first look could benefit your day as a whole from start to finish, you do not want to spend the whole day concerned with photos, by having a first look you can be comfortable that your photographer has gotten plenty of material and enjoy your day together, It also allows you to enjoy your moment seeing each other for the first time on the day together without a cast of thousands.