• Home
  • About
    • Reviews & Publications
  • Booking
    • Wedding Packages
    • Book Your Portraits
  • Blog
    • Wedding
    • Portrait
    • Maternity
    • Engagement
  • Client Previews
  • Contact Us

Epiphany Image

You Should Consider a First Look on Your Wedding Day

Tips and Tricks· Wedding

7 Mar

I just got back from one of my most stress free weddings ever.  Everything was on time, the couple took so many portraits together & they attended their cocktail hour with time to hang out with almost every single guest.

I’ve always been nonchalant about suggesting a first look, but after all these years of experience, I’m asking…no, I’m BEGGING all clients to do a first look on your wedding day.    I understand the superstition behind seeing the bride before the wedding ceremony.    Did you know that this emerged from a time when arranged marriages were commonplace, and was practiced to ensure the groom would go through with the marriage regardless of the bride-to-be’s identity or appearance?  Weddings across all cultures have several traditions and rituals that mean a lot to us all.  I can’t impress my beliefs on you but consider letting this one go.

  1. Expecting to capture romantic portraits + family portraits within one hour is an unrealistic goal.
    1. Important family members (and some of the bridal party) tend to drift off during cocktail hour.  Understandably, they are excited to see friends and family that they may not have seen in years.  Even though they know the task at hand, it takes time to collect everyone you need and get their attention for the formal portraits.
    2. Once the family & bridal party is done, you and your spouse risk only having 10 – 15 minutes (or less) to create romantic portraits together.   All while  your guests are crowding you for selfies.
  2. The first look is one of the few intimate moments you and your spouse will have during the day.
    1. We typically make sure that the photographer and your fiance are the only ones in attendance during this session.
    2. It gives you space in private to shed a few happy tears, exchange gifts, and tell each-other how you’re feeling about the future ahead.
    3. Once the ceremony comes, people will be coming at you from all angles.  Time alone will be scarce.
  3. Your hair and makeup will be the most fresh and perfect before ceremony.  Take advantage and capture your portraits when you’re looking your absolute best.  The light might be best during this time too.
  4. Getting those portraits out the way early almost guarantees an on-time ceremony and a smooth wedding day timeline.
    1. Things go wrong on every single wedding day.  Give yourself a buffer knowing that your portraits are out of the way.  If the timeline gets delayed, portraits are usually the main thing to be cut short.
    2. When you’re on time, you’ll get the most out of your vendors.  The food’s fresh, the party’s long and you have more fun!
  5. BONUS : Imagine being able to attend your Cocktail Hour and catch up with your guests before the party!!!

 

If you’re still not convinced, there are a few things you can do to maximize your wedding day portraits while minimizing stress.

  1. Schedule your wedding day itinerary so that you have 1.5 hours for formal portraits (again doing it all during cocktail hour is risky)
  2. Get ready early (at least 1.5 hours before ceremony)and have key family members on site to take pictures with you before the ceremony
    1. Get ready at hotel/airbnb that has a scenic area that could be a great backdrop for these photos.
  3. During cocktail hour, take your couple’s formal portraits before incorporating the groups.
  4. Limit your list of formal portraits during cocktail hour.  Save the extra friends/family for a quick snap during the reception.

Leave a Comment

Previous Post: « Expecting baby Fatima
Next Post: Expecting baby Williams »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

About

My love for photography started early. I’ve been the unofficial photographer for everything I can remember since high school. I was the yearbook photographer and it gave me a taste for documenting memories for myself and others. I graduated from UCF with my degree in Information Technology and I ... Read More about About

Client Resources

  • Book Your Portraits Online
  • Wedding Packages
  • Central Florida Photo Shoot Locations
  • Final Wedding Detail Questionnaire
  • Wedding Tips

Sign up for my mailing list

Your cart is currently empty.

Return to shop

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Book Your Portraits Online
  • Wedding Packages
  • Central Florida Photo Shoot Locations
  • Final Wedding Detail Questionnaire
  • Wedding Tips

epiphanyimage

I do, I do, I DO! #epiphanyimage #orlandoweddingp I do, I do, I DO!

#epiphanyimage #orlandoweddingphotographer
My heart is yours. #epiphanyimage #orlandoweddin My heart is yours. 

#epiphanyimage #orlandoweddingphotographer
May your troubles be few and your blessings many May your troubles be few and your blessings many

#epiphanyimage #orlandoweddingphotographer #thewellbornwedding
B L K L V #epiphanyimage #styledshoot #orlandowed B L K L V

#epiphanyimage #styledshoot #orlandoweddingphotographer
Beauty in the simple things #epiphanyimage #blklv Beauty in the simple things

#epiphanyimage #blklv #createwhatyouwant #styledshoot
I arranged this styled shoot as a chance to explor I arranged this styled shoot as a chance to explore producing images that looked like art while staying true to my theme of love and effortless imagery.

Thank you to my models for inspiring and bringing this session to light. 

Who's down for the next model call?  I definitely want to do this  again soon.
#styledshoot #models #epiphanyimage #orlandophotographer
I can't give you the recipe to the perfect wedding I can't give you the recipe to the perfect wedding reception, but hear me out.... 

Find yourself a team of vendors who love what they do.  Passionate vendors will do whatever it takes to make sure your wedding day is panic free.  We handle any and all issues that arise without you even knowing.  You've done the hard part baby.  The planning is done and it's time for you to have FUN.

Planner : @360emotions 
MUA: @whitmch.makeup 
Catering : @cocktails_catering  @lilyscatering76 
@premiereventsorlando 
Entertainment : @gmusicandproductions 
Video : @octoberseye 
Bartending : @goldbar_orlando 
Cake: @kellys.cake
Venue: @thebalconyorlando 

#epiphanyimage #orlandoweddingphotography #weddingreception #thebalconyorlando
If there's anything that the Galeano's taught me, If there's anything that the Galeano's taught me, it is to live and love with your ENTIRE heart.  2.22.22 was epic because they celebrated to the FULLEST.  Happy anniversary to the Galeanos! 

@ivan_galeano92  @jmoawesomeness2.0 @noodleblu 
@360emotions 
@whitmch.makeup 
@cocktails_catering 
@premiereventsorlando 
@gmusicandproductions 
@octoberseye 
@goldbar_orlando 
@lilyscatering76 
@kellys.cake
@thebalconyorlando
Part 2 to 2.22.22 A time was had! #weddingrecepti Part 2 to 2.22.22
A time was had!

#weddingreception #partyoftheyear
Happy anniversary to the Galeano’s! Happy anniversary to the Galeano’s!
One year ago today, Jessica was prepping for the b One year ago today, Jessica was prepping for the best day ever. 

@360emotions 
@whitmch.makeup
It’s been too long since I picked up a camera ju It’s been too long since I picked up a camera just for the sake of having fun. 
Tyla & Ashland, thank you for being my muses for the day. You made this shoot better than I could have imagined. I can’t wait to share what we did created together. 

#bts #photoshoot #creativephotography #couplesshoot
She's more than a woman. #epiphanyimage #orlandop She's more than a woman.

#epiphanyimage #orlandoportraitphotographer
I don't belong to anyone but you #epiphanyimage # I don't belong to anyone but you

#epiphanyimage #happyvalentinesday #orlandoweddingphotographer
Happy Valentimes! How are you showing love today? Happy Valentimes!

How are you showing love today?

#epiphanyimage  #valentinesday #love #showlove
The glow is undeniable. @caitlin_deanna520 MUA: The glow is undeniable. 

@caitlin_deanna520 
MUA: @jennybeauty_glam 
Nails : @jason_nailz 
Gown: @asos

#epiphanyimage #orlandoweddingphotographer #zarabridal #naturalhairbride #asosbridal
You're the best part. #epiphanyimage #orlandowedd You're the best part.

#epiphanyimage #orlandoweddingphotographer #naturalhairbride #winterparkwedding #elope
When Alex met Caitlin, he saw a glow around her th When Alex met Caitlin, he saw a glow around her that he couldn't ignore.  Since then, they have generously poured into their lives together and  approaching 4 years of marriage, the love is as strong as day one.

@caitlin_deanna520
MUA: @jennybeauty_glam 
Nails : @jason_nailz 
Gown: @asos

#epiphanyimage #orlandoweddingphotographer #naturalhairbride #asosbridal #elope
We DIY’d the Hepburn’s bridal shoot this weeke We DIY’d the Hepburn’s bridal shoot this weekend.  I had some downtime after the holidays and asked my friend @caitlin_deanna520 to model for me. She’s been married for 4 years but since they eloped, never had official wedding portraits. This was a win-win for both of us!

We found her gown at @asos , earrings from @zara  Makeup by @jennybeauty_glam  and nails by @jason_nailz  I watched some YouTube tutorials and made the bouquet and  boutonniere.

Listening to their vows and spending this afternoon with them made me realize that 4 years later, their love is fresh as day 1. 

I can’t wait to share these pics! 

#elope #orlandoweddingphotographer #asosbride #zara #diybride #kraftazaleagardens
Almost 5 years later, the Brown wedding is still o Almost 5 years later, the Brown wedding is still one of my favorites. 

MUA @jomichelleartistry 
Gown: @allurebridals 
Hair @reginas_chair 
Planner @unebellehistoireevents 
#epiphanyimage #tbt #royalcrestroomwedding #orlandoweddingphotographer #throwback #haitianbride
Load More Follow on Instagram

Let’s Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

Search

Copyright © 2023 Epiphany Image · Log in