Why You Should Consider a Wedding First Touch: A Beautiful Alternative to the First Look
Choosing the perfect way to connect with your partner before the ceremony is one of the most exciting parts of wedding planning. While many couples opt for a first look, where you and your partner see each other before the ceremony, there’s an alternative that’s gaining popularity: the wedding first touch!
Trust me, a wedding first touch will let you share that emotional, heartwarming connection before the ceremony, but still preserve the excitement and magic of your “big reveal” when you walk down the aisle. If you’re on the fence about whether to do it or not, I’m here to break down why this moment is totally worth it and how it turned into one of the sweetest parts of Eileena and David’s wedding day.
Let me just say: I absolutely love capturing these sweet, intimate moments, and Eileena and David’s first touch was nothing short of magical. Keep reading to see how this moment unfolded and why you should consider it for your own wedding day.
What Is a Wedding First Touch?
A wedding first touch is a special moment where the couple touches each other for the first time, but they don’t see each other before the ceremony. It’s an intimate way to share an emotional, personal moment without breaking the tradition of not seeing each other until you walk down the aisle. This can take place anywhere—behind a door, around a corner, or even against a beautiful backdrop, like a brick wall in a hotel lobby.
Instead of a first look, where you exchange full visual first impressions of each other’s wedding attire, the first touch allows you to maintain the magic of the “big reveal” while still having that intimate connection that so many couples crave before they say their vows.
Why Eileena & David Opted for the Wedding First Touch
When Eileena and David came to me for their wedding photography, they knew they wanted to stay true to the tradition of not seeing each other until the ceremony. But, they didn’t want to miss out on that special, emotional connection that couples often experience during the first look. So, we came up with the perfect compromise: a wedding first touch—they still had their intimate moment, but the excitement of the wedding day was preserved for the altar.
Eileena’s excitement was palpable as we set up the first touch. She was glowing, and David? Well, you could tell he was dying to feel his bride’s hand before they officially tied the knot. We found the most stunning location—an exposed brick wall in their hotel lobby. The simple, yet elegant, backdrop set the perfect tone for their emotional moment.
There they were—David, standing with his back to the wall, his hand just waiting for Eileena to join him. And when she finally did? It was pure magic. The second their hands touched, you could feel the energy shift. No words were needed; their connection said it all. It was an intimate and powerful moment!
The Power of a Vow Reading Before the Ceremony
To make their first touch even more meaningful, Eileena and David decided to exchange vows in private before the ceremony. You guys, I’ve seen a lot of vows, but the ones they shared? SO emotional. No audience present—just the two of them, whispering promises to one another. It was such a real, raw, heartfelt exchange, and I am SO grateful that we got to capture it.
Reading your vows privately before the ceremony gives you a chance to connect on a deeper level without the pressure of performing in front of your guests. Plus, it gives you more time for the rest of your day, which, as a photographer, I’m always here for. The photos of Eileena and David exchanging vows were some of my absolute favorites from the day. So intimate and full of love—it’s something they’ll look back on forever.
How the Wedding First Touch Made the Moment Extra Special
The beauty of a wedding first touch lies in the fact that it’s such a personal and quiet moment. You’re not distracted by the noise of the ceremony or the guests—you’re simply focused on each other. For Eileena & David, it was an emotional moment, full of excitement and tenderness. Their smiles were bright as they held hands, feeling the warmth of each other’s touch, and it was such a gift to capture this connection before the hustle of the ceremony began.
The soft lighting, the exposed brick wall in the hotel, and the joy they shared made these photos some of my absolute favorites from their wedding day. The wedding first touch was intimate, emotional, and breathtaking. It set the stage for the rest of the day and allowed them to have an intimate moment before the celebration began.
Why the Wedding First Touch is Perfect for So Many Couples
One of the best things about the wedding first touch is that it lets you share a quiet, intimate moment without losing the excitement of walking down the aisle. That’s right, you get to feel the emotions of the moment, exchange vows, and still have the “wow” moment at the altar with everyone watching.
For Eileena and David, it was the perfect way to feel connected before the ceremony began. With their hands touching, the soft lighting, and that stunning brick wall as the backdrop, it was the definition of romantic. Plus, I had a blast being their chauffeur to their dog—the ring bearer! I’m not gonna lie, running around with a dog in tow had me laughing, but it was worth it for those adorable photos. See the behind the scenes of me being their chauffeur here!
Client Love
“If you are looking for a photographer, stop here. We couldn’t have asked for a better photographer for our engagement and wedding photos. Sarah is so personable and makes every experience so entertaining and enjoyable. My husband and I, are very awkward with taking photos and we typically just have a “hug and smile” photo. She made the whole experience so easy, comfortable and fun. My bridal party couldn’t get enough of Sarah and loved everything about her! Not to mention, her extreme talent, our photos turned out so beautiful, so much better than we could’ve ever imagined. She captured every single emotion in our photos and it told our story beautifully. We couldn’t recommend her enough.”
Book your British Columbia Wedding Photographer!
If you’re looking for a photographer who will capture your intimate moments, I’m all about creating photos that help you relive those raw, emotional moments and feel all the love you experienced that day!
Whether it’s a wedding first touch, vow reading, or any other intimate moments, I’ll be there to document it all. Contact me on my website to discuss your wedding day vision, and let’s create memories you’ll 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 for a lifetime!
See more of my work below from Eileena and Davids wedding and on my Pinterest and portfolio!
Check out more blogs on different wedding ideas below!
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Destination Wedding in Maine: An Intimate Lucerne Inn Wedding in Dedham
