7 Reasons To Include Getting Ready And First Look Photos In Your Elopement
An ultimate guide on Why Getting Ready & First Look photos Matter
“Oh, we don’t need getting ready photos. We’ll be sleepy in our pajamas, no make up or hair done, it will be hectic, we just want to get to the best part i.e. adventuring, why spend time on this, who cares anyway”
Sound familiar?
A lot of couples think that getting ready and first look photos are meant exclusively for traditional weddings. But here’s the truth: elopements are just as emotional, just as meaningful, and arguably even more cinematic. And skipping the beginning of your day is akin to hitting “play” halfway through a movie. You’re cutting out the part that sets the tone, builds the emotion, and lets the whole story unfold.
Having getting ready photos (and possibly first look) taken will make your elopement feel complete, not just visually, but emotionally too. These images will help you remember not just the moment you said your vows, but the feeling you had before it all began. The butterflies. The stillness. The quiet thrill of “holy sh*t, this is actually happening.”
Not convinced? Here are my top 7 reason for why getting ready and first look photos are essential, if you want your gallery to reflect the full magic of your day.
The Emotional Warm-Up (AKA The Butterflies)
The start of your elopement day is full of tiny, electric moments – a bit of nerves and / or excitement, laughter, a sip of coffee on the porch of your cabin, that “oh wow, this is real” feeling while getting dressed. It’s the part of the day where everything starts to sink in, and those emotions are pure gold.
Yes, we also love a good flatlay with all the details that you’ve picked with care for your celebration (your boots deserve a close-up too), but it’s more about the feeling in the room as your day begins to unfold.
It’s quiet. It’s real. And it’s 100% worth remembering.
Storytelling 101: Your Story Needs A Beginning
Your elopement is not just a heap of disconnected events happening in random order. There is a flow, an underlying story there. And like any good story, it needs a beginning. Imagine opening a book and the first chapter is missing. Or watching a movie that starts halfway through the plot. Weird, right?
That’s exactly what it’s like when your photo gallery jumps straight into the ceremony. Sure, the “I do” moment is big but the lead-up is what gives it weight. And the beginning of your day is where the emotion builds.
Getting ready and first look photos give your gallery a beautiful uninterrupted flow. They set the tone. And when your day is long gone, these photos will allow you to relive the full scope of it.
Getting Comfortable with the Camera (And With Us!)
Let’s be real, no one is particularly thrilled with being in front of the camera. I’ve yet to meet a couple who would openly express their enthusiasm about having their photos taken! And trust me, I get that – I feel exactly the same way.
That’s why the getting ready part is so valuable – it gives you a gentle, relaxed way to ease into being photographed. We get to hang out, chat a bit, share some laughs, and let the sound of the camera shutter slowly fade into the background. No pressure, just a natural flow into your day where everything feels a little less performative and a lot more you.
Plus, you’ll have time to get used to our presence, not just as photographers, but also as fellow humans. By the time the ceremony rolls around, we’re not strangers with cameras anymore – we’re part of the rhythm of the day, and you’re comfy enough to just be in the moment.
A First Look = A Deep Breath Together
There’s something magical about the first look. It’s that moment when the nerves, the build-up, and the anticipation all come to a quiet pause and you finally seeing each other in your wedding garments for the first time. No audience (well, except for us and maybe a pair of sheep), no pressure, no distractions. But plenty of love, vulnerability, admiration and the kind of connection that makes time stand still (even if the wind may be doing everything it can to ruin your hair).
First looks aren’t about forced reactions or orchestrated drama – they’re about space. Space to breathe, to hug and cry, to laugh awkwardly. To say, “You look amazing” or “Hot damn, we’re getting married today.” It’s a pocket of stillness before the ceremony, and it gives you a moment to be present with each other before everything else unfolds.
Some of our favorite photos happen right here. They are raw, unposed and honest, with just you two, stepping into your day together.
A Moment of Peace Before the Storm
Okay, so elopement “madness” isn’t table assignments and bouquet tosses – it’s more like chasing epic light, getting drenched by a waterfall, and pulling on thermal layers mid-hike. Still, once the day kicks off, it tends to move fast. And then the wild Icelandic weather loves to keep things interesting.
Getting ready time offers some quiet and calm before you venture outside and into the whirlwind of your adventure. Whether you’re sipping coffee, writing vows, or simply holding each other and enjoying the stillness, this is the grounding moment before the rest of your day happens.
It’s also often the only time you’ll be indoors, warm, and cozy, with your hair and makeup intact, and your dress nice and clean. And honestly, there’s something beautiful about capturing you in that safe little bubble, on the brink of the unforgettable chaos of the day you’ll remember forever.
The Details You Might Forget (But Will Love Seeing Again)
There’s something magical about the small things – the way your dress hung by the window, your hiking boots lined up at the door, your mother’s old brooch or dad’s handkerchief, those cufflinks you’ve chosen specifically for this occasion or an engraved box for your rings. These are the precious details that fade from memory over time… unless you have them captured.
Getting ready photos aren’t just about you two. The light, the textures, the little pieces of your day that might seem insignificant now will one day spark the most vivid memories. Every one of these things helps tell the full story of your elopement, and every one of them deserves its spotlight.
The Photos That Will Matter More With Time
Right now, you’re caught up in planning timelines, logistics, and whether the wind will cooperate (spoiler alert: it won’t). But years from now the things you’ll treasure most will be not just the big moments but also the fleeting, in-between ones. The early morning light in your cabin, the way your partner hugged you after seeing you in your wedding garments for the first time, the feeling of anticipation just before getting in your car and driving off to somewhere magical.
Getting ready and first look photos aren’t just for now. They’re for future you. For the quiet evenings when you flip through your album and remember not just what the day looked like but how it felt to live it.
Tips for Stunning Getting Ready & First Look Photos
So, did I convince you? Are you in? Amazing!
Here are a few quick tips to have everything feel relaxed, intentional, and camera-ready.
Final Thoughts
Getting ready and first look photos aren’t just fluff. They’re the heartbeat at the start of your day – the quiet, emotional, grounding moments that bring depth and meaning to everything that follows.
You don’t have to do anything big or performative. Just be there, be present, and let the day unfold. We’ll take care of the rest, quietly, respectfully, and with an eye for all the little moments you’ll one day be so glad we caught.
So if you were on the fence about including this part of your day, I truly hope this helped you hop off that fence and land right into the magic. Let’s start your story from the beginning!