Tips for Your Tate House First Look

Are you planning to do a first look? On one hand, you might love the idea of a romantic moment with your fiancé before exchanging vows. It’s a great reminder to pause and take in all the excitement and even calm some pre-wedding jitters. On the other hand, it’s hard to pass up that wow factor of seeing each other for the first time as you are walking down the aisle.

Photo: Garter and Whiskey

A first look is simply a matter of personal preference! However, more photographers and wedding coordinators now recommend couples partake in a first look. Why? Wedding timelines can be complex and time alone for portraits is often hard to come by. We happen to love first looks at our North Georgia wedding venue! And this Tate House newlywed agrees, saying:

“We did a first look, figuring A) it would calm our nerves seeing one another and being reminded of how truly special this day was, B) we would have more time to take some amazing photos being as though the Tate House has so many places on the property to capture a beautiful photo, and C) we did not want to keep our wedding guests waiting too long after the ceremony before getting the chance to celebrate. To this day, I do not regret that decision.” – Brittany Self & Travis Sanders

If you are in fact planning a first look, here are our tips to pull it off beautifully at the Tate House:

Tips for Your Tate House First Look

• Ask your coordinator and photographer to set aside time specifically for your first look. You’ll want time to enjoy the moment, as well as have it captured. So in order to ensure you don’t have to rush through it, incorporate this as an item on your wedding timeline.
• Choose a first look location prior to your wedding day. As our above bride mentioned, our venue has numerous areas on the property that would make for a perfect first look location. Some ideas include: in front of one of the many fountains, the stairwell, in the garden or in front of the mansion. Picking a spot prior to your wedding will enable your planner to make sure guests and wedding party attendants steer clear of that area so you do in fact get to have a private moment to yourselves. It will also help prepare your photographer for nailing those solo portraits of you two.
• Talk to your makeup artist if you’re planning on doing a first look. If you think you might cry, definitely opt for waterproof mascara. Also, come prepared with some tissues and lip gloss to touch yourself up before your ceremony.
• Love the idea of a first look, but still don’t know if you want your fiancé to see you before walking down the aisle? Consider doing a first touch instead. This is where you each stand on either side of a door or a corner so that you can hold hands, pray together, or have a special moment of togetherness without seeing each other before the ceremony. 
• First looks aren’t just for the couple! Consider doing a first look with your dad or your bridesmaids. Of course, they’ll see you while getting your hair and makeup done in the Bridal Cottage. But, save putting on your dress for just you and your mom so that you can reveal your final look to your girls and/or your father. Their reaction will be priceless!