The First Look: A Chattanooga wedding venue favorite at The Barn at Drewia Hill

What is a first Look and why should I consider one?

If you’re newly engaged & planning a wedding in Chattanooga, you may have heard the term “first look.” A “First look” is simply a few private moments where the couple sees each other before the ceremony. Usually, this includes just the two of them & a photographer/videographer. The Barn at Drewia Hill, which is a popular scenic Chattanooga wedding venue location, “first looks” have become a favorite tradition for couples who want a meaningful & relaxed start to their wedding day love-story photos. photos before the ceremony, means the newlyweds can get to enjoy more time with their guests and dinner can start right on time. This is also often a wonderful & helpful opportunity to ease anxiety & sooth away wedding day jitters. Sometimes a couple may choose to read their vows or maybe a sweet letter that they’ve written to each other.. A first look can also involve the bride & her dad, bride & bridesmaids, etc.. Regardless, it’s ALWAYS a very sweet & cherished moment for years to come. And the photos they receive after doing a “first look”, ABSOLUTELY PRICELESS!!

We reached out to Nelya, a local Chattanooga wedding photographer to get her input about the benefits of doing a first look.

Several Benefits of doing a First Look

1. Why “First Looks” are so popular at our Chattanooga Wedding Venue

From the wedding ceremony, to your LIT reception.. wedding days can move very fast! At The Barn at Drewia Hill, you’re literally surrounded by beautiful views, so why not have a “First Look?” Our wedding venue can provide many beautiful locations for very private & meaningful moments.. moments that are filled with unexpected, authentic emotion. When you reserve some time for this on your timeline, you can then rest assured that after the ceremony, you can quickly get to the party that awaits!

2. Get to the Reception sooner.

Typically when not doing a first look, a majority of the photos have to happen directly after the ceremony. This is the best & easiest time to get everyone, all together. Usually, the couple’s family is first, then the full wedding party photos, THEN the bride and groom portraits. This generally runs well into cocktail hour. By having a first look, your photographer will already have one of the most important segments of your wedding photos done, thus allowing you to get back to your guests, the food & the party!

3. MORE TIME FOR GETTING GREAT PHOTOS

Doing a First Look opens up time before the wedding ceremony for full wedding party photos, some bride and groom portraits and even family photos if you’d like. Again, this is a huge time saver that will ultimately get you back to one of the most FUN parts of the day… the RECEPTION!

4. Not Missing the Cocktail Hour

Having just about all the important photographs done before the ceremony, enables you to fully enjoy your guests & the whole cocktail hour and makes the rest of the night feel less rushed.