First Looks - Not Just For Your Partner | Boston Wedding Photography

A bride's parents see her for the first time at the Zukas Hilltop Barn in Spencer, MA - Photo By Ryan Richardson Photography

The doors open, everyone is standing to attention and the world stops and collapses one moment into forever as you and your partner lock eyes down the aisle. It’s an instant that a lot of couples don’t want to miss, even if it would make the wedding day a lot easier but it’s not the only opportunity for a big reveal during the wedding day - let’s talk about first looks that go beyond the couple.

Just what is a first look? The quick explanation is that it’s a staged beat before the ceremony, it gives the couple a moment together to just be present with one another with a little more privacy. For many couples there’s a practical aspect, since it lets you get certain formal pictures out of the way so you can take better advantage of cocktail hour - or even have a longer portrait session ahead of time (a great opportunity for photos away from either the ceremony or reception venue). If you’re getting married in the winter it’s also one way to make sure you can get some photos outside during the daylight hours (which there are precious few of during the wintertime in Boston).

But you don’t have to restrict a fun, dramatic reveal to just your partner. Some brides love an instant when they show off their look to their father or another special family member. Who is going to get you more hyped for the start of the ceremony than your whole bridal squad cheering as you pop open the door and step out in front of them as a fully-formed bride? On the groom’s side it can be a great way to capture an emotional moment with a mom or grandmother, or a sillier one with their groomsmen.

A reveal can be a powerful and cathartic moment, helping you get some of the tears out while your aesthetic team is still on site for touch-ups or to really bring up the energy as you’re headed into the rest of your wedding day.

So what are the right steps for the reveal of your wedding look?

Unlike a traditional first look between a couple, this reveal can focus solely on one set of reactions, so you won’t need two photographers (or one Boston wedding photographer moving around very quickly). This can make blocking the scene a lot simpler. If you can, try to build the moment or anticipation a little with a short delay and set a tone with some music (after all playing “Eye of the Tiger” before will get you a different reaction than “Cat’s in the Cradle”).

If you’re staging the reveal for one person, it’s generally easiest to have them wait outside of the room and then step in once everything is ready. With larger groups you’ll want to bring the bride or groom out to them. If you are feeling especially extra, why not have two attendants carry a curtain or sheet ahead for a sudden and dramatic reveal? After the reveal, don’t forget to take some time with everyone and give yourself a beat to not think too much about photos.

Are you planning on a first look? Why not collaborate with Ryan Richardson Photography for your wedding day.

Ryan Richardson is a wedding and engagement photographer serving Boston and beyond; including Cape Cod Weddings, New England Weddings, Massachusetts Weddings and Rhode Island Weddings.