8 Benefits of Having a First Look At Your Wedding

Seeing your partner at your wedding for the first time you walk down the aisle is a time-honored wedding tradition. And it’s a good one. But these days, more and more couples are opting for a first look — a quiet, intimate moment to say Hi before the ceremony. And your photographer will capture the most emotive, raw moments while you embrace and connect in a manner and time that your ceremony won’t otherwise allow.

There are a lot of benefits to a first look. Depending on your wedding day priorities, a first look can be the perfect addition to your wedding photos and the experience of your guests. Let’s dive in…

Benefit: Calm your nerves

Getting jitters on the wedding day doesn’t mean you have cold feet. In fact, it’s perfectly normally to feel nervous, whether you’re anxious about being the center of attention and speaking in front of a crowd or just afraid something will go wrong. For many couples, having a moment with their partner before the ceremony can actually help to calm both their nerves and ease the stress of the day.

Benefit: Get your wedding portraits done early

The essential wedding photos can take a huge chunk of time out of your day. If you leave all the portraits until after your ceremony, that means you will have to take family photos, wedding party photos and couple portraits. Your guests could end up waiting at the reception for an hour or more during this time. However, when you have a first look, you can have some of those photos taken ahead of time which leaves fewer photos for after the ceremony and less wait time for the rest of your guests. Winning!

Benefit: Be present in the moment

You’ve probably heard that your wedding day will go by in a blur, and it’s true! One moment you’ll be getting ready, and the next moment you’re holding each other during the last song. That’s why photography is so important, and it’s also why you should take a moment to pause, take a breath and just take the day in (enter: Mindfulness). A first look gives you the opportunity to hit pause, connect with your partner, and share your feelings and emotions in the moment.

Personally, from my own wedding, I have to say that seeing my wife at our First Look will always one of the most cherished moments in my entire life. I’ll never forget that feeling of waiting for her to tap me on the shoulder, to turn around and lay eyes on my bride for the first time!

Benefit: The emotion will be there no matter what

Some couples worry that seeing each other before the ceremony will take emotion from the ceremony. It’s simply not true! I’ve worked with couples who waited until the walk down the aisle to see each for the first time, as well as couples who opted a first look, and both were full of joy, laughter and sometimes even tears during their vows. The emotions that are a part of your wedding day will be there whether you see each other beforehand or not. I promise.

Benefit: Take advantage of the natural light

This applies more to winter weddings, but if you’re having your wedding later in the day, you may miss out on the natural light if you push your couple portraits to after the ceremony to be around sunset (which is beautiful, too). Similarly, if you have great weather before you say “I do,” take advantage! You never know when the weather will change, and you could miss your window to get some amazing shots. It always allows for a diversity of day time, evening, and nighttime shots for your wedding pictures.

Benefit: Location, location, location

 Are you getting ready in one place, having your ceremony at another, and your reception at a third place? Keep this in mind when considering where your pictures will be. A First Look may create an opportunity for you to get pictures where you wouldn’t otherwise have them together. Furthermore, your First Look could be at a location in transit between your getting ready location and your ceremony.

Benefit: Look your best

If you choose to do a first look, you will have fresh makeup and perfectly styled hair, and every accessory will be in place. There’s no guarantee the mascara won’t run during your vows or you won’t get a little rumpled from hugging and greeting all your wedding guests. A first look can be a great opportunity to capture you and your partner at your best before the rush of the wedding day really begins.

Pro Tip: If possible, have your makeup artist join you for your First Look to provide touch-ups afterwards. It’s emotional moment! Be sure to go over this beforehand with your makeup artist, it may just be a matter of simply adding on more time.

In the end, always remember, it’s your wedding

Tradition shouldn’t dictate what you do on your wedding day, nor should the opinions of friends and family. When deciding whether or not to have a first look, choose what is most comfortable for you as a couple. After all, this is your wedding and no one else’s, so do what feels right to you.