Should You do a First Look or Not?

Join hosts Josh and Brian on the Colorado Wedding Podcast as they delve into the world of wedding moments with Taylor from Mountainside Events. Discover the concept of the first look—when couples share their initial gaze on their wedding day.

Taylor, an experienced wedding planning expert, provides insights into choosing between a pre-ceremony first look and the traditional aisle encounter. Uncover the emotional dynamics and practical considerations that influence this crucial decision.

Explore creative alternatives to conventional first looks, such as including close friends, parents, or grandparents in these private moments. Taylor's storytelling brings to life the unique ways couples infuse their personal touch.

The episode also explores the concept of a "first touch," where couples connect without seeing each other. Taylor shares an anecdote that reimagines the first look tradition with a twist.

Throughout the conversation, Taylor's enthusiasm for crafting memorable wedding experiences shines. Whether you're a bride, groom, or wedding enthusiast, this episode offers inspiration and insights for tailoring first looks and intimate moments to match your style and preferences.

Tune in to the Colorado Wedding Podcast for a journey through the world of first looks, meaningful connections, and the magic of Colorado weddings. Gain new ideas and a deeper appreciation for the art of curating unforgettable wedding memories.

Mountainside Events can be found @mountainsideevents on Instagram.

Transcript:

Taylor: So, first look is the first time that the couple sees each other. And, you know, you can do one of two things. You can do that prior to the ceremony or you can do that when you're walking down the aisle. So, you know, really there's pros and cons to both of them.

Josh: Yeah. And, you know, either way, it's a special moment that, you know, the two people get to see each other.

Taylor: Welcome to the Colorado Wedding podcast. The ultimate place to plan your Colorado wedding. From luxury weddings to intimate gatherings, we'll guide you through planning your wedding in the beautiful state of Colorado. I'm your host, Josh, and I'm joined by my co-host, Brian. We're here to give you insider tips and advice from all kinds of Colorado wedding experts. Join us and discover the best ways to reduce wedding stress and design your unique wedding day.

Josh: Hello, guys. Welcome to the Colorado Wedding podcast. We are the ultimate place to go to plan your Colorado wedding. We interview all sorts of wedding professionals and experts here in Colorado. And today I have Taylor. She is the owner of Mountainside Events. She started the company seven years ago, but she's been in hospitality for a long time, 12 years.

Taylor: She's born and raised here in Fort Collins and she's essentially never left. So she just knows this city. And she is going to share today. She's going to walk us through first looks. I mean, huge wedding topic. And she has seen it all, I'm sure. So she is going to walk us through there. But before we jump into that, Taylor, can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your story, your company, what you love?

Taylor: Totally, like that. Yeah, definitely. Well, first of all, thanks for having me. Yeah. Yeah. So I have started around the site around seven years ago. So I've definitely been in the industry and seen a lot of weddings even prior to that. And, you know, I do everything from, you know, month of coordination to partial and full-service planning.

Taylor: So, you know, my team is very involved in all aspects of the wedding day, and we work with a lot of different couples that are looking for different services, everything from elopements to micro weddings to 300 plus people. So yeah, we definitely see that all and I'm super excited to talk about first looks. So yeah, it's great.

Josh: Well, let's just jump on in. Can you? I'm sure most people out there know what this is, but can you give us a quick rundown of really what a first look is? And do people often have them or what are your initial thoughts there?

Taylor: Yeah, in that moment, for the first time. Yeah. Yeah. In general, what are the pros and cons of each of those options?

Taylor: Well, we tend to opt to suggest doing your first look before the ceremony, mainly because the pros of that is that we can get a lot of the pictures and videos done beforehand so that way the couple can actually enjoy the wedding and the cocktail hour and be a part of that moment with our guests.

Taylor: You know, it is nice to be able to get those pictures on beforehand, but it's also can be a really special moment and more intimate for the two of them to see each other in private versus surrounded by all your wedding guests that are seeing the... And sometimes that can be a very emotional moment as well. So having that done in private can be, you know, a little bit more special.

Josh: Yeah. Yeah. So that's where we tend to go with the first look prior to the ceremony. But that's not to say that we can't do a first look down the aisle. Yeah, you know, we can absolutely do that. It's just that if we were to do that, we'd have to build out a little bit more time in the back.

Taylor: And after the ceremony for all the photos that... And yeah, I mean, I as I'm sure you know, so, so I can kind of pair the first look before the ceremony. It can kind of be a photo and video opportunity that if you do it for the ceremony, you don't have to do as much after.

Josh: Exactly. Yeah, exactly. So, I mean, that's why it's usually a timeline thing. You know, as a planner, that's... that's usually what we do. But, you know, if somebody were to say that they didn't, they wanted to have that moment down the aisle, I support that love. I mean, it is a really special moment.

Josh: And as a photographer and videographer, I'm sure you know that you can capture that... other... that was... Yeah.

Taylor: ...partner... yeah, seeing... yeah, there are other significant others walking down the aisle. I mean, it's pretty special so... Yeah, yeah, totally.

Josh: Well, thanks for unpacking kind of both of those. So you use some great blogs, by the way. So we're so Taylor and the Mountainside Events team. I'm just a huge resource of blogs and so we are just totally stealing them on their great blogs here.

Josh: So you guys know. So we're going to run through just five topics of, you know, first look ideas and alternatives to the pre-ceremony look. So our first one here is for a first look, choose a beautiful place. So what does that look like? I know for photo and video, we obviously want just the best, but what are your thoughts on, you know, choosing that place and how to go about that?

Taylor: Yeah, well, I mean, every venue and space is different, but one of the things that we usually want is to find like the most beautiful place on the property, right? You know, we got one of those in Colorado. Yeah, we definitely do. So, I mean, I like to suggest somewhere like outdoors. It's good lighting somewhere that is a little bit quiet and, you know, you can have an uninterrupted moment.

Taylor: Yeah. So that's also important to consider is that you don't want somewhere that there's going to be a lot of people in and out or vendors here setting up, you know, for the ceremony and things like that. Yeah, definitely don't. You know, that to be, you know, the people in the background as you're trying to share this like really special intimate moment, so you know, secluded space, quiet, beautiful scenery, sometimes it's like, you know, if there is a river or a pond or something.

Taylor: Yeah, it tends to be a really gorgeous moment. Yeah. Or if you're in the mountains, you know, a really cool rock cropping or backdrop with some pine trees or aspens or, you know, things like that. So, yeah, you know, as a photographer, oh yeah, like you're scouting the spots, you know, prior to you. Yeah. Doing that moment, I would love to weigh in on, on those fires. Yeah. Some of the best shots of the whole... Sure. Wedding. Yeah. Wedding day or photos. Absolutely. Awesome. So, okay, another one here. Consider involving some of your loved ones with your first look. I know sometimes you do that totally secluded. Just your photo and video team there you have a ton of people. Kind of depends what kind of person you are but what do you what are your thoughts on that? How do you coach your couples into figuring out how many people should be there?

Taylor: Yeah, so I mean, it depends. Like if it's just yeah, that one-on-one moment, as loved ones go, I would love to suggest having, you know, maybe a moment of some of the other special people that are in your lives too. And maybe that's something that you can pair together, you know, and do that first look with those people.

Taylor: So for example, a couple of weeks ago, I did a wedding and they did the bride did a first look with her, her friends, all her girlfriends. Oh, yeah. And it was like, you know, the it was like the hype crew. So, yeah, it's totally different than you got. I'd be in there. Yeah, exactly. Turn around. And then everyone is like, freaking out, you know?

Taylor: And it was really exciting and then afterwards, Jennifer is like, with her fiancé and her husband. And so it was, it was kind of cool because, you know, she got that like, you know, height well ran of, you know, really excitement and then, you know, went and then, you know, met up with her and her fiancé and yeah that that first look right afterwards.

Taylor: Yeah. Yeah. That was a fun one. So yeah, that is fun. Yeah. But yeah, so you can absolutely involve, you know, other loved ones or even... Yeah. With like somebody else. So thinking through like you know first look with dad you know. Yeah. This is something that we tend to, you know, also organize as well.

Taylor: A lot is like, you know, having that moment. Yeah. That's, that's emotional for him. Yeah. I mean yeah it absolutely can be. And especially because, you know, sometimes... Yeah. The fathers you know they take pride in and being a part of that moment and being able to walk their daughter down the aisle but also having that one-on-one moment, you know, with the bride and her dad to do that first look as well is pretty special, too.

Taylor: So have you seen it? Was any other people I know the girls and the dad. Have you ever seen like an important and sort uncle or I have seen did one where there was a first of all, the grandparents. Oh, that's cool. It was actually pretty cool. Yeah. It was like all the grandparents and fly them all off and then Yeah.

Taylor: And then, you know, like they turned around and saw the bride is like, so excited. That was. Yeah, that was pretty fun. That is really special. Yeah, totally unique. I know. Yeah. So yeah, absolutely. Involving other of our loved ones, you know, as a part of that too. Yeah. That's kind of fun. Oh cool. Thanks for sharing that. Yeah. Okay, so let's. I know you probably lean a little bit more towards doing the first look before the ceremony, but here's a couple of points you have for, like, for waiting. So bride and groom or the couples get to see each other down the aisle generally. So do you first look with someone else for waiting? What was your thoughts there?

Taylor: You know, so kind of alongside what we just talked about, you know, potentially like, you know, first look with dad. Yeah. Or first look with the grandparents or, you know, your your bridesmaids or something like that too. So that can be kind of a fun moment, you know, to incorporate, you know, other people as a part of that.

Taylor: Yeah. And then, you know, you can study pictures and stuff like that, you know, beforehand, but you're just doing that with your significant other until after the ceremony. Yeah. Yeah. Cool. Awesome. So how about doing a first touch effect? What is that? Yeah, that's a fun one because it's like a way that they can be together, but they're not seeing each other.

Taylor: So sometimes, you know, having something in between, like, for example, a door. Yeah. Or on the other side of the wall or something where it ties your hand. Yeah. Reach over, you know, know that you're there, person is there. And so you're just not seeing each other. Yeah. You know, can be kind of fun. I there was one wedding that I did that it was a, a joke first look.

Taylor: So it was so the groom thought it was going to be a traditional first look for. Oh. And it ended up being that it was his best man in a dress. Oh, yeah. Those are hilarious. You're on. And he... it's going to be his bride. And he turns around and sees this best man and this wedding dress. And he starts dying, laughing at his feet.

Taylor: It is very emotional. Yeah. Vigeland Chose, Oh, it's like the best shot of the series. So funny, you know? And so it was funny because, yeah, he didn't quite realize that, you know, at the moment and that the bride didn't want to do an actual first look. It was more like a joke first look. So, so got that moment walking down the aisle, what he was all thinking there was something a little bit different that is really funny.

Taylor: There was. It was pretty awesome. Yeah. So yeah, first touch just fine. You know, I can definitely call him the nerves a little bit knowing that you have your other person right there. Yeah, totally. Well, awesome. Let's jump in one more here. So for waiting and reading letters to each other. Yeah. So without having to see each other, you can still do something intimate like that.

Taylor: Yeah. And in here, you know what your significant other has to say? Could be reading thoughts. Or you could wait to do that until the ceremony. But sometimes people do want to, you know, freeze something off, you know, prior to the ceremony and then still have that moment of seeing each other as a walking down the aisle. So that's all.

Taylor: So is that where you're maybe is there like a curtain separating you or you're on other sides of a wall or you're close by? Totally. Or have your backs to each other? Are you sitting on a bench or something like that? But you don't? Yeah, seeing each other, you just, you know, you know that they're there. Yeah. Yeah.

Taylor: You can feel their presence, but you're not. Yeah. Looking at each other those, those provide for some of the best shots too. Totally. When we give our readings those are always really cool. Yeah. And you know, goes back to that like, intimate moment of reading the vows, you know, to each other in private AS Yeah. So yeah, definitely a great way to make it feel a lot more special. Totally.

Josh: Well, thank you so much, Taylor, for just these thoughts on first look or not and just going about thinking through that is really helpful. So thank you so much for your your expertise on that. Before we close up today, we would love to just hear a little bit more about, you know, your company. Can you give us your your social media handles where we can find you how to book with you And Amy here you like working with here in Fort Collins?

Taylor: Yeah. So, Colorado. Yeah. So yeah, you can really find us on the, you know, all social media or on Instagram or Facebook, all our fun stuff, all the wedding websites like, you know, the wedding and not, you know, all that stuff. And it's mountainside homes or mountainside events. Dcoms if you go there, I have a freebie as well.

Taylor: Fun Tips for Wedding Emergency kit. So, you know, also a great way to also get some other guidance or resources for other things that you're planning on on your wedding day is also cool. Yeah. Well, really appreciate you being here today and sharing your expertise with with everybody. So thank you so much. Thank you. Thanks for having me.

Josh: Yeah. And thanks, you guys for tuning in today. Again, it's the Colorado Wedding podcast and this is Taylor and she owns Mountainside Events. So thank you so much, guys. Siete Awesome. Thanks. Thanks for listening to this episode of the Colorado Wedding podcast. We hope you find our tips insightful for planning your Colorado wedding.

Josh: For all the free wedding planning tools, checklists, and guides, go to Colorado wedding guides Dotcom. Don't forget to rate us on Apple and Spotify and be sure to follow us on Instagram at SEO Wedding Podcast. We appreciate you and hope you have the best wedding possible. See you next time.