Should You Do a First Look?

The First Look

Trying to decide if a first look is right for your wedding day?

SHOULD YOU HAVE A FIRST LOOK AT YOUR WEDDING?

As a wedding photographer and former bride—I get it. There’s something romantic and traditional about seeing each other for the first time walking down the aisle. You want the big emotions, and maybe you’re hoping to see him shed a few tears (let’s be honest, I am too). Still, though, I am a huge advocate for the first look. It’s not just about getting more photos or making the timeline run more smoothly, even though it definitely does that. Instead, it is about the time you get to spend together on your wedding day. So should you do a first look?

The true beauty of the first look lies in the time it gives you with your partner. You’ve heard the day goes by in a flash, so it helps to have moments that let you slow down. Seeing each other privately before the ceremony allows for genuine reactions, heartfelt embraces, and perhaps a few tears, all without the pressure of an audience or feeling rushed. It’s a chance to connect intimately, to share a quiet moment that belongs only to the two of you.

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Bride and groom share an emotional first look on their wedding day, standing outdoors in a lush, green setting. The groom, dressed in a black tuxedo, smiles warmly at his bride as she approaches in a flowing white gown with an elegant veil. This intimate moment captures the joy and anticipation of a first look, highlighting their love and connection.

Bride and groom share an emotional first look on their wedding day, standing outdoors in a lush, green garden setting. The groom, dressed in a black tuxedo, smiles warmly at his bride as she approaches in a flowing white gown with an elegant veil. This intimate moment captures the joy and anticipation of a first look, highlighting their love and connection.

Bride and groom share an emotional first look on their wedding day, standing outdoors in a lush, green lawn. The groom, dressed in a black tuxedo, smiles warmly at his bride as she approaches in a flowing white gown with an elegant veil. This intimate moment captures the joy and anticipation of a first look, highlighting their love and connection.

The technical benefits of a first look are often not considered amongst the whirlwind of wedding planning. We could schedule family portraits, wedding party shots, and some portraits of the two of you captured before the ceremony even begins. With that, the stress of coordinating group photos vanishes.

Cocktail hour becomes an opportunity to bask in the joy of your wedding day, whether that means stealing away for more newlywed photos or enjoying the festivities with loved ones. With the formalities already taken care of, you have more time to do really enjoy your wedding day. It allows for flexibility in the timeline, too. Doing family photos + wedding party photos + couples photos during cocktail hour is ROUGH. Although doable, it’s definitely a little more stressful. Plus, if something runs late earlier in the day we have more time to make up for it than if we waited to do all those after the ceremony.

And let’s not forget about the photos – more time for portraits means more moments of you two together on your wedding day. By completing group shots earlier, we can focus solely on capturing the love between you and your partner, creating timeless images that tell your unique love story.

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SHOULD YOU HAVE A FIRST LOOK?

Groom in a black tuxedo stands in a church aisle, visibly emotional with a tear on his cheek, as he watches his bride walk down the aisle. This intimate moment captures the groom's anticipation and heartfelt emotions as he prepares to see his bride for the second time on their wedding day. After having a first look earlier in the wedding day, he remains emotion as his bride walks down the aisle.

You might worry that a first look might take away from the magic of walking down the aisle, but the emotions experienced in those two moments are entirely different. I’ve seen grooms be completely stoic at the first look lose it when they saw the bride walk down the aisle.

But for some, none of these things matter as much as seeing each other for the first time walking down the aisle. And that is okay!! I will create a timeline that aligns with your vision either way. Ultimately, the decision rests with you and your partner. Whether you choose to embrace tradition or opt for a first look, what matters most is how it resonates with you and what feels right. Take the time to consider the possibilities, and know that whatever you decide, I’m here to support you every step of the way.

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