“WHAT IS A FIRST LOOK? SHOULD I DO ONE ON MY WEDDING DAY?“
This question comes up a lot with our couples, and honestly, there’s no right or wrong answer. After photographing countless weddings, we’ve seen the benefits of doing a first look and how it can make your day feel more relaxed and intentional, even if you choose not to do one.
A first look is a private moment set aside for you and your partner to see each other for the first time on your wedding day. Afterward, this naturally flows into portrait time (usually 20–30 minutes total). Usually held in a quiet, special location scouted by us beforehand. We guide you to the spot, set you up to see each other, and step back to capture genuine reactions. This allows couples get as much private time as they want to talk, hug, or just soak in the moment. And contrary to popular belief, we’ve seen firsthand how much doing a first look can help with those wedding day nerves without taking any of the specialness away from “walking down the aisle” moment during the ceremony.
BENEFITS TO CONSIDER
Traditionally, some avoid first looks due to superstition — “it’s bad luck to see each other before the ceremony.” We love tradition, but we think your comfort and joy matter more than superstition.
Here’s why many couples choose a first look:
- Emotional moments still happen: Tears and big reactions at the aisle are not diminished by doing a first look. We have seen couples bawl just hard during the ceremony as they did during their first look. We always say, if you’re an emotional person, you will have an emotional reaction during both first looks! And if you’re not a super emotional person, there may not be tears and big emotions during either first look moment (and that’s okay)! It’s less about staging a moment and more about doing what’s going to make your day more comfortable and enjoyable.
- Relieves nerves: Seeing each other before the ceremony can calm anxiety and allow you to fully enjoy the big moment without a ton of pressure. Waiting till the ceremony to see each other means you cannot actually react/talk/spend time together till the ceremony is over. So if you’re anxious about the ceremony, a first look will be helpful for that!
- Alone time: It’s often your only chance to spend real, uninterrupted time together on your wedding day.
- Streamlined photos: Most portraits and group photos can be taken before the ceremony, saving time after.
- More time with guests: Finishing portraits early lets you get to the reception faster and enjoy more time celebrating.
PLANNING YOUR DAY WITHOUT A FIRST LOOK
Even without a first look, there is still an option to take any separate photos before the ceremony begins (such as individual portraits, photos of each of you with your separate sides of the wedding party, and each of you with your immediate families).
Going this route, you’ll just want to ensure there is ample time after the ceremony to finish up portraits that involve the two of you together. These typically include combined family photos, full wedding party group photos, and your (very important) portrait time with just the two of you. Your photographer should play a big role in helping plan the timeline to ensure portrait time is being used efficiently. We tell our “no first look” couples to allot at least one daylight hour for all of these photos after the ceremony, and to plan your ceremony time accordingly — if the sun has already set by the time your ceremony is over, that means that any post-ceremony photos will be have to be taken indoors/with a flash. For this reason, we always recommend planning for your ceremony to wrap up while the sun is still in the sky so we can utilize the beautiful natural light. We also recommend hosting a cocktail hour for your guests to keep them entertained while we finish up the post-ceremony photos.
SUMMARY: IS A FIRST LOOK RIGHT FOR YOU?
There’s no universal answer to this question, and it ultimately depends on your personal preference, timeline, and nerves.
A first look can:
- Let you enjoy the surprise of seeing each other privately.
- Potentially extend your day together by 2–3 hours.
- Provide your only alone time on your wedding day.
- Help calm nerves and maximize enjoyment.
Part of our service is helping couples decide what works best for them and crafting a custom timeline that fits seamlessly with the rest of your wedding plans.
EXAMPLE WEDDINGS
Example weddings with a first look:
Tatum + Zack’s 939 Adams Wedding
Moanna + Felipe’s Delray Beach Wedding
Faith + Jay’s Clementine Hall Wedding
Example weddings without a first look:
Loren + Kyle’s Camp Chowenwaw Wedding
Kelly + Matt’s Clay Theatre Wedding
Ansley + Jake’s Saddle Club Wedding
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