One question we get all the time is “what is a first look” and “what’s the point?” If you are asking that question now, then this blog is for you!

We're going to try and be as unbiased as possible but, full disclosure, we are team first look. That being said let us try and explain the pros and cons of a first look and hopefully you will finish this blog with a clearer idea if a first look is for you or not.

A first look is a chance for you to see your partner before the ceremony for one last private moment together before you walk down the aisle and say I do and have eyes on you for the rest of the night. From a photographer’s perspective, a first look is an opportunity to get the “wow” moment of the two of you in a predetermined setting. On a bridge overlooking the water, in a private garden, or on top of a mountain! This allows us to have a little more creative freedom and control than the typical first look at the altar.

So, what’s in it for you? That completely depends on the couple. We have about a 50/50 split of couples that opt-in for the first look and those who opt-out. For some couples they need that moment to get out all of their jitters and butterflies. They want that moment to be personal and private and sincere. It is a chance to say anything you want to say before you both take the next steps…literally. This moment is often more emotional because of the privacy and intimacy of it being just the two of you. Neither of you are thinking of all of the people staring at you or the cameras flashing and recording (other than us but we’ll get to that). It is a chance to get out any nerves you might have before the ceremony.

Another big reason our couples choose a first look is to free up time in their timeline to actually enjoy their cocktail hour with their guests. Typically, the family and bridal portraits take place directly after the ceremony and last an hour or more, which is generally the entire cocktail hour. A benefit to having a first look before the ceremony is being able to get most of the bridal portraits out of the way before the ceremony even begins. Depending on timing, sometimes we are able to fit in the bridal party photos as well. This means that after the ceremony we can bust out the family photos and any other portraits that you might want and let you go and actually enjoy what’s left of your cocktail hour with your guests before the reception begins.

We have photographed many first looks and know that they are a powerful and intimate moment. That is why while we’re bringing each of you to the first look destination, we like to give the following run down;

“This is your moment. Yes, we will be there clicking away, but we will be in the distance, in a bush, behind a tree etc. We want this moment to be for the two of you, so do your best to forget that we are even there. Just you and the love of your life about to get married. Make this moment whatever you want, let whatever feelings that arise come out. You can joke and laugh and let loose or you can cry and be serious and embrace. This is YOUR moment! The rest of the night you will rarely get a moment alone, so make it count! When you feel you have had enough time and said everything you want to say, we will take a few bridal portraits and then be on our way to get you guys married!”

We do everything we can to make this moment all about the two of you without being all up in your face. We use our long zoom lenses to put distance between us while still capturing the moment as if we are right there, it also allows us to get a wide shot of the entire moment.

Now as much as we love first looks, there is a valuable appeal to opting out of the first look as well. It is definitely more traditional not to see each other before the ceremony. We have lots of couples that prefer many of the traditional aspects to a wedding and we completely understand and advise that you do whatever it is you want at the end of the day. Just because the first look down the aisle isn’t as private doesn’t mean it’s any less powerful. One major pro to having the first look at the altar is getting the reactions of the entire bridal party as well as guests while your fiancé watches you walk down the aisle.

There are certain scenarios where the first look location won’t fit into your timeline. If the location takes a significant amount of time to get to for either of you from where you are getting ready, then a first look might not be the best option. Weddings almost never tend to stay completely on time and if there is one thing that will run late it will be the getting ready. So, if you're cutting it close to your ceremony a first look might only stress you out more, and we suggest not doing it.

Want the best of both worlds? We had one couple meet before their ceremony where they could hold hands on either side of a barn and pray together without actually seeing each other. This moment was so powerful and beautiful. Not only were we able to capture this incredibly touching moment, but the first look down the aisle was just as emotional!

What it ultimately comes down to is you and your partners preference. It is your big day and whatever you feel you desire most and will be most comfortable with is what we suggest over anything else!

We hope this blog helped you understand a little more about first looks to better make your decision. If you’d like to read more about the Pros and Cons of First Looks here are some other resources, we recommend!

Top 5 Reasons WHY You Should Do A First Look On Your Wedding Day - Jonathan Connolly

Should You Do a First Look? The Pros and Cons - WeddingWire - Whitney Teal

First Look on the Wedding Day - Susan Stripling Photography