Wedding Photography Guides: A Look into the First Look
Nga & Devon - Villa Corsini a Mezzomonte, April 2023
Raisza & Neil - Destination wedding at Villa Catignano, October 2023
The first look is one of the most emotional moments in a wedding and one that creates powerful images that might otherwise not be captured. During this intimate moment the spouses-to-be see each other in their wedding gown or attire for the first time before walking down the aisle. Usually this happens in a private corner of the wedding venue, away from the eyes of friends and family. We love capturing this unique memory for our couples: to us it recalls the emotion of the very first moments when two people fall in love with each other. Here are four great reasons why you might want to plan a first look during your destination wedding in Italy.
Raisza & Neil - Their first look took place in the frescoed room of Villa Catignano, October 2023
I: Capture a secret corner of your wedding venue
Since it usually happens before the wedding ceremony, a first look has to take place in a private corner of your wedding venue away from the curious eyes of family, friends, and guests. This is why a first look is the perfect chance to make use of an otherwise not explored corner or room of your villa, castle, or agriturismo, capturing one more very special angle of the location. In this particular case, Raisza & Neil were given kind permission by Villa Catignano to use the beautiful frescoed room for their first look making this moment truly unforgettable and creating wedding photographs that would not have been possible otherwise. Give yourself plenty of time and check with your wedding planner and venue about the use of a private corner of your destination wedding location while you are planning your big day.
planning: Al Fresco Wedding • venue: Villa Catignano • flowers: Flowers Living
Lindsey & Aayon, first look before their symbolic ceremony at Borgo Corsignano, 2018
Lindsey & Aayon, first look before their symbolic ceremony at Borgo Corsignano, 2018
II: A little help walking down the aisle
Walking the aisle to your wedding ceremony can be a bit nerve-wracking, we know. All the attention on the spouses-to-be can be a challenging test for the shyest brides and grooms. That’s where a first look comes in handy: you and your partner will get to share that first look moment in (almost) complete privacy, making it easier to share those unbridled and authentic emotions just between the two of you (and your destination wedding photographers, of course). Another plus of this is to make use of a dedicated and uncluttered space, with plenty of room for your photography and videography team to capture the moment from every angle – which is sometimes not the case with many wedding ceremony settings. In these photographs, Lindsey and Aayon share their first look before their symbolic ceremony at Borgo Corsignano, in Tuscany. In fact this was not the couple’s very first look on their wedding day since they had already gotten married in the morning with an Indian ceremony – hence the beautiful mehndi art on Lindsey’s hands. Nevertheless, as you can see their ‘second’ first look was definitely not short of happy tears!
planning: Al Fresco Wedding • venue: Borgo Corsignano
Lindsey & James - their first look in the garden of Villa Gamberaia, Florence, October 2023
III: A moment for just the two of you
Those of you planning for a big destination wedding in Italy already know that you are gonna be the stars of the show on your wedding day. Which means that you’ll be surrounded by a large group of family and friends from the beginning of the day right until the very end. While this is surely a joyous and desirable situation to be in, some brides and grooms may wish to connect with their significant other and enjoy a moment of privacy before a big wedding day kicks off. This is where a first look comes in especially handy. The first look is a super special moment so expect very touching images, often a touch more emotional than your couple photoshoot. Here are James and Lindsey sharing a very private first look near the ninfeo of the stunning Villa Gamberaia, overlooking Florence.
planning: Italian Wedding Designer • venue: Villa Gamberaia
Joanna & Sebastian seeing each other in their wedding outfits for the first time at Castello di Montalto, Tuscany
IV: Planned but not posed
If we had to highlight the number one wish that we hear from most of our couples during our introductory calls or pre-wedding day briefings, that would definitely be to have candid, spontaneous or unposed wedding photography. While this topic definitely deserves an insight on its own – coming soon on this very blog! – let’s look into how a first look is the perfect chance to capture just that. Just like many other moments in your destination wedding in Tuscany or anywhere else, a first look has to be carefully planned. Which means that your wedding photographer and planners will work out exactly when, where, and how your first look should happen, to fit in perfectly with the rest of the day. But while the first look logistics will be accurately designed, how brides and grooms react to seeing each other in their wedding attire for the first time will be totally spontaneous. Once we know your movements, we will not give any directions and just capture the scene as it happens. Bonus points: as the first look usually takes place immediately after the preparation, your wedding styling will still be picture perfect.
In this pic: Joanna and Sebastian’s first look at Castello di Montalto, Tuscany.
So… we hope these four reasons inspired you to plan for a first look during your destination wedding! If you have a special first look story to share with us you can do so on our Instagram or in the comment section below. And if you’re looking for a destination wedding photographer in Tuscany, Puglia, Lakes or anywhere in Italy for 2024 or 2025 weddings you can get in touch with us to learn about our wedding photography services just get in touch! We look forward to capturing your destination wedding, whether or not you’ll be doing a first look ;)
Lindsey & James, first look in the ninfeo of Villa Gamberaia, July 2023