There are benefits and drawbacks to doing a first look on your wedding day. While the trend has grown increasingly popular, it isn’t for everyone. It’s best to discuss your options with each other, your wedding planner, and your photographer before deciding whether or not to do one. However, we advise having those conversations sooner rather than later. That’s because doing a first look (or not doing one) will significantly impact your wedding day timeline! Today, we’re discussing why you may or may not want to do a first look so you can make the best decision for your unique situation. What is a First Look?A “first look” is an opportunity for you and your partner to see each other in your wedding attire, decompress, and even read private vows before your wedding ceremony. One partner usually sneaks up behind the other and taps them on the shoulder so the photographer can capture their reaction! As Colorado wedding planners, we believe in the many benefits of a first look. We frequently recommend one to our clients! Still, it’s a highly personal choice. Some couples prefer to adhere to tradition, not want to detract from the moment they see each other at their ceremony. If that’s you, talk to your photographer about alternative options. They can still capture a private, meaningful moment between you and your partner, such as a first touch or love letter exchange. Should You Do a First Look? If you’re still trying to decide whether or not to do a first look, it’s helpful to consider the benefits and drawbacks. Let’s explore how doing a first look (or not doing one) affects different facets of your wedding day. TimelineChoosing whether or not to do a first look will primarily affect your wedding day timeline. If you’re doing a first look, you must be ready earlier in the day so there’s time for photos before your ceremony. For some night owls, that might be a dealbreaker, depending on the time of your ceremony. However, note that doing a first look also makes it possible to get all your portraits out of the way before your ceremony. If you’re interested in *actually* attending your cocktail hour instead of missing the whole thing while you’re off taking photos, you may want to opt for a first look. Tip: If you prefer sticking to tradition and skipping a first look, we recommend taking as many portraits before your ceremony as possible. For example, you can take your separate wedding party photos before your ceremony. That way, you can budget less time for portrait-taking during cocktail hour. Private Time TogetherAnother benefit of doing a first look is the opportunity for a private moment together. Let’s face it: wedding days can get busy! It may surprise you that most couples reflect on their wedding day and wish they had spent more time together. Amid greeting your guests, posing for photos, and observing all the fun traditions, it’s easy to get swept away. Doing a first look refocuses you on the WHY of your wedding day (your love for each other!) and provides an opportunity for alone time before all the craziness ensues. You can even use that time to read private vows or love letters to each other. Pre-Wedding JittersIf you’re nervous about walking down the aisle, posing for portraits, and any other aspect of your wedding day, it can be helpful to do a first look. You’ll have the opportunity to release your stress privately and receive encouragement from your partner. After spending a moment alone with them, you may find your nerves are gone! However, it may be best to skip a first look if having a photographer present for that moment would only enhance your nerves. Remember, there’s no right or wrong choice here: only what’s best for you! PhotographyDoing a first look affects your photography timeline, as previously mentioned, but did you know it also affects the overall look and feel of your photos? Note that if you do a first look followed by portraits, the lighting may not be optimal because the sunlight will be at its harshest around midday. However, by not doing a first look, you’ll miss the opportunity to capture meaningful photos of the two of you seeing each other for the first time. You can always take portraits before AND after your ceremony if it’s important to you to catch that perfect golden hour lighting. Choosing to do or not to do a first look is highly personal. At Sapphire Celebrations, we’re partial to first looks because of the benefit to your wedding timeline and the opportunity to enjoy a moment alone with your partner. However, we completely understand that the drawbacks of a first look, such as waking up early to get ready and sub-optimal portrait lighting, are a dealbreaker for some. No matter which option you’re leaning toward, discuss it with your wedding planner and photographer first. Are you still looking for your Colorado wedding photographer? Prepare for your next discovery call with these seven questions to help you find your perfect fit. Hoping for more help? Reach out to us! We're always happy to guide our couples through the wedding planning process. Vendors:Jillian and Mitchell met on a dating app and met in person several weeks later on their first date at Jillian’s apartment. Right before Mitchell was due to arrive, Jillian’s bathtub faucet exploded! Mitchell walked in to find her surrounded by tools and immediately knew she was unlike any girl he had met. They spent the rest of the date chatting and playing Bananagrams while waiting for maintenance to arrive. A few months later, Mitchell asked Jillian to be his girlfriend in the most romantic way: on the beach at sunset! The couple soon fell head over heels for each other, flying to meet each other’s families in Colorado and Texas over the winter holidays. At the end of the following year, Mitchell popped the question in Los Angeles at the scenic Griffith Observatory Overlook. After Jillian said yes, the happy pair celebrated the next day with a trip to Disneyland. We adore their love story! It was our pleasure to plan their dream destination wedding at The Broadmoor. Wedding Dress Shopping at KleinfeldBefore their big day, the couple flew to New York City to shop for Jillian’s wedding dress at the famed Kleinfeld Bridal salon, as seen on Say Yes to the Dress! Jillian had her fairytale moment with a Dupioni silk ballgown. The romantic off-the-shoulder style featured a beaded sweetheart neckline and lace brocade bodice on top of a flowing skirt, perfect for an elegant Broadmoor wedding. Meanwhile, Mitchell selected a stunning pair of bridal shoes for Jillian. He chose the Hammond Feather Pump, a fun and flirty sandal with a sky-high heel and feathered strap from Something Bleu. Classic Destination Wedding at The BroadmoorJillian grew up in Colorado and always knew she wanted to say “I do” at the iconic Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs when the day came. However, she and Mitchell lived in California throughout their engagement, making Colorado wedding planning more difficult. Enter Sapphire Celebrations! Our team was happy to help the couple plan and design their celebration and build a vendor team of Colorado’s most skilled wedding professionals. Jillian wanted a classic and elegant wedding design that would enhance the beauty of The Broadmoor and First Christian Church, the couple’s ceremony venue. We accomplished the look she wanted with a simple and timeless blush-and-white color palette with navy blue accents. Statice Floral designed the floral arrangements, including Jillian’s bouquet of roses and silver dollar eucalyptus. Meanwhile, the bride managed the design and printing process for the couple’s custom navy blue-and-white wedding invitations with Perfect Press. We loved getting to know this sweet couple and helping them plan their destination wedding at The Broadmoor! As preferred planners with this legendary Colorado Springs venue, we have extensive experience designing weddings there. Inquire today to book Sapphire Celebrations for your 2024 or 2025 wedding at The Broadmoor! Plus, don’t miss Kelsey and Mark’s day for more classic wedding inspiration at this stunning venue. Vendors:Planner: Sapphire Celebrations
Venue: The Broadmoor Ceremony Venue: First Christian Church Officiant: Darren Allarde Photography: Cassidy Brooke Bridal Salon: Kleinfeld Bridal Bride's Shoes: Something Bleu Hair: Rollers and Rouge Makeup: Moore for Life Floral Design: Statice Floral Invitations: Perfect Press Music: Elite Entertainment Catering: The Broadmoor Cake: The Broadmoor Accommodations: DoubleTree by Hilton Colorado Springs Transportation: Colorado Gray Line; Turo Insurance: WedSafe Adding soft seating to your wedding layout isn’t only a beautiful addition to your design. It also fosters a welcoming atmosphere by encouraging guests to sit, relax, and enjoy meaningful conversation during the event. As wedding planners, we love adding one or two lounge arrangements to all our events and have worked with some fantastic Colorado rental companies over the years. Each company has unique pieces in its inventory that will elevate your event’s design and enhance your guests’ experience. Need some inspiration? Look no further than these wedding lounge ideas from past Colorado celebrations. Plus, grab our expert tips for creating a stunning lounge area! Wedding Lounge Ideas for Your Colorado EventWhy We Love Wedding LoungesAt Sapphire Celebrations, we love wedding lounges! They’re the perfect blend of beauty and function, adding an extra touch of luxury to your celebration while providing a comfortable place for your guests to sit and catch up. They’re also a great way to add an extra layer of personalization to your event. You can rent furniture in your wedding colors and even print pillows with your wedding monogram! Favorite Colorado Event Rental CompaniesOver the years, we’ve worked with several Colorado event rental companies to create stunning wedding lounge areas. Colorado Party Rentals helped us create this beautiful, boho-inspired layout at an outdoor mountain wedding. We were obsessed with everything about this design, from the leather chairs and patterned pillows to the plush ivory rug! We’ve also had wonderful experiences working with Focus Event Design (see image above), Design Works Events, and Wallflower Rentals (see image below). When one of our couples requests a wedding lounge, we work with them to plan the perfect layout and design for their event. We highly recommend working with a planner to choose a rental company and incorporate this element into your wedding. However, here are a few tips to help you get started! Four Tips to Create the Perfect Wedding Lounge AreaChoose Colors from Your Wedding PaletteWe recommend choosing colors that match your wedding’s overall palette when picking out your rental furniture. This tip will help you create a cohesive, professional-looking design! Add Personal TouchesWe love including a coffee table in a wedding lounge to incorporate more personal details into the design, like a vase of your favorite flowers or a few framed engagement portraits. You can also personalize your lounge pillows with screen-printed photos, your wedding monogram, or a pattern that matches your theme. Consider Your Guest ListConsider your guest list when deciding how large to make your wedding lounge area. You want it to accommodate 10% of your guest list comfortably so your loved ones can each have an opportunity to enjoy the comfortable seating. If you’re inviting over 150 guests, consider renting two lounges and placing them in separate areas of your reception. Choose an Intentional LocationThink about the purpose you want your lounge area to serve and go from there when choosing its location within your reception layout. For example, do you want it near the dance floor for when your guests need a break? Or do you want it further away from the party where your guests can enjoy an intimate conversation space? If you’re considering incorporating soft seating into your Colorado event, we hope these wedding lounge ideas have inspired you! You definitely can’t go wrong by making this detail part of your special day. Our team would love to help you plan and design your distinctive event, whether you’re looking for Full-Service Planning or Month-Of Coordination. Connect with us to get started! Vendors: |
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Sapphire Celebrations combines the energy, perspective and creativity of two generations when planning weddings and events throughout Colorado. Founded by a mother and daughter team, Sapphire Celebrations reflects their Colorado heritage. With family roots dating back to 1907 and covering the northeastern plains and Rocky Mountain vistas, there is no team better qualified to plan your Colorado wedding or special event. Pamela and Angie are proud of the high level of service for which Sapphire Celebrations has come to be known. Two principal wedding designers and four event concierges take pride in exceeding the expectations of couples who entrust us with their wedding day. Archives
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