Should We Have a First Look?

This post is part of the series Planning for the Best, and is an updated, expanded tip guide for your First Look. AND Bonus! I’ll also go over how to choose your ring and get it ready for your wedding day.

First Look” Wedding Photo Tips

First looks are a more intimate way for you and your spouse to see each other for the first time on your big day and allows for those emotionally charged photographs you want and will value years from now.

Having a first look will also allow you to take photos before the ceremony, maximizing your time celebrating with family and friends. That way, you have set aside some time to get to the beautiful places you’d like as a setting for portraits and that are important to you—without taking away from your time at cocktail hour. This is especially important if you are getting married in the fall and you want daylight for these portraits.

Plus, it gives you bonus time to celebrate with your entire wedding party—giving you a chance to get have a mini celebration with just your closest friends as they cheer you on after that first look.

Having a Blind “First Look”

Of course, first looks might not be for everyone. If you want to check in with each other and share your excitement about the day but want to save the big “reveal moment” for the ceremony, consider doing a blind “first look” where you get to spend time together without breaking the superstition. Consider holding hands blindfolded, sitting back to back, or hiding behind a partition to have a moment together before the craziness of a wedding unfolds.

Do what speaks to your personality—understated or a big splash! While some couples have done classic first looks such as tapping the groom on the shoulder to turn around and see his partner, other have treated their first looks as a big reveal that speaks to their relationship. No matter what you choose, make sure it is true to your style and makes you happy on your wedding day.

Engagement Ring Selection Tips

Now that you’ve thought about the flow of the day, here are some tips to help you get your ring ready to shine too:

It’s no secret that a lot of love and time went into choosing an engagement ring. Take a moment in the days leading up to your wedding to give your rings some TLC​. A safe way to clean your diamond rings at home is to soak them in a solution of warm water and dish soap for 30 minutes. Once they have soaked, gently brush the stone with a soft toothbrush and rinse under warm water.

Be sure to keep both your engagement ring and wedding bands in a safe place that you won’t forget about on the big day. This seems so obvious, but it absolutely cannot be overlooked. Try to keep them together so your photographer can capture them, and then give them to someone trustworthy to carry to the ceremony, slip them on and then show them off to everyone in attendance!

How to know what ring is right for you:

Let’s back it up a minute. Before you have your rings ready for the big day, you have to pick them out. So how will you know what ring is right for the rest of your life? The easy answer is that personal preference is always the way to go. If you tend to wear more silver or gold, go with that same metal when buying your engagement ring. However, if you are part of a couple who doesn’t have a preference one way or another, consider current trends, the amount of care you are willing to put into your rings, and what suits your current look or a new vibe you are going for. This year, trends include using mixed metals such as rose gold or white gold and choosing statement stones aside from diamonds. Consider sapphires in blue, pink, or yellow, as they pair beautifully with accent diamonds and look beautiful on their own.

“The “amount of care” I mentioned points us to look at the hardness of each metal available for bands. If a couple is expecting to be careful and willing to provide repairs more than once, a softer metal is perfectly fine. These softer metals include gold, white gold, and rose gold. On the other hand, a couple who wants a stronger metal so they don’t have to pay attention to it as much should consider platinum bands. Platinum ages well, its color doesn’t fade, it makes a secure setting by resisting breaks, and it is very durable.

Most importantly, have fun! Choose something that feels true to your personality. Don’t do something because everyone else is doing it. And get creative.

Every wedding is amazing, and I want every bride and groom to feel excited—not stressed—on the big day. Hopefully, these tips and tricks will help to relieve that stress and get you hyped!