The Benefits of a "First Look" on your Wedding Day

One of the first questions I ask my wedding clients in their planning phase is whether or not they want a “first look.” For those of you who aren’t familiar with the term, a “first look” is when the bride and groom meet on the wedding day, before the ceremony, to see each other for the first time. For some, this is out of the question…some more traditional couples want to wait to see each other for the first time in the aisle. And there is nothing wrong with that! But there are some benefits to a first look:

It eases tension on the wedding day. It allows the bride and groom to see each other and get to spend a few precious moments together privately, before they are in front of an audience.
It gives the bride and groom a moment alone. The bride and groom can use the meetup to share some private vows or a prayer together. It may be the only time that they are actually alone on your wedding day!
It gives the bride and groom more time together on their wedding day! It’s a huge day for the couple, but if your ceremony doesn’t begin until the late afternoon or evening, the majority of the day is spent separate. A first look gives a couple more time together on their big day.
It frees up time! This is the biggest perk of a first look. Once a first look is done, your photographer can go ahead and take all the wedding party and family photos before the ceremony, which will free up that time between the ceremony and reception so you can enjoy cocktail hour or just take a breather! Families often spend a ton of money on cocktail hour…why not enjoy it? Also, if your ceremony is later in the day, it helps provide more time for natural light photos earlier in the day.

An Alternative to a First Look

Some couples opt to do a “first touch” instead of a first look. A first touch is a meeting between the bride and groom in a location where they cannot see each other, but they have a chance to hold hands, speak with each other, pray, or read some private vows. It can give more traditional couples that private moment together to ease a bit of the wedding day jitters without ruining the “big reveal.” It’s also a great opportunity for your photographer to capture some memorable, often emotional, photos!

Other First Looks

Other than a first look between a bride and groom, there are countless other “first looks” people are opting for these days: first looks between the bride and dad, bride and bridesmaids, groom and parents, bride/groom and siblings, bride/groom and children, and one of the sweetest I’ve seen, a bride and her grandmother. The list is limitless. Just keep in mind that these all take time and will need to be accounted for in your timeline.

Go with YOUR Preference

Whatever you decide to do, whether it is a first touch, a first look, or a private reading of special vows, make sure it is your and your fiance’s decision. Don’t let your family, friends, wedding planner, or even your photographer try to convince you to do something you’re uncomfortable with. You’ve been dreaming of and planning for this wedding day for months…make sure it is YOURS! The most important thing is that whatever you decide reflects you as a couple.

For more wedding planning tips that will help the photography part of your day run as smoothly as possible, check out some of my other blog posts: