So, you're thinking about doing a first look... Or maybe you are anti-first look, and your future spouse is interested in it!



There is a great debate in the wedding world regarding first looks. Some are totally against them - for their entire lives, they've been waiting for that moment where their beloved would see them for the first time all day (or even a couple days in some instances) walking down the aisle.


Others are taking the route of first look for many different reasons! I, personally, find that there are many benefits to a first look. Of course, in the end, this is your wedding, and it's your choice if you want a first look or not. However, there are a few things you should consider if you are or are not considering a first look!



 

You're stressed about your timeline for the day!



Perhaps the greatest benefit of a first look, logistically, is the fact that if you choose to see your fiancé before saying "I do", it frees up quite a bit of time to get all of your posed photos done before your ceremony! This also gives you the freedom to have a later ceremony time, should you want that. During the winter, it's especially helpful to have a first look, since the sun sets anywhere between 4-5p.


One thing to note, is that if you are not having a first look, you should plan for at least 2 hours after your ceremony for formal photos. Regardless, you should let your wedding planner or photographer know you are not interested in having a first look for the sheer fact of basic planning! Think about it this way - you're two months out from your wedding. You've already sent out your invitations, and you're now filling out your photographer's questionnaire so they can create a photo timeline for you. You're SET on not having a first look, but your ceremony is at 5p and you're entering your reception at 6p. At this point, there are 30 minutes (in some cases, slightly more or less time) to capture all of your family photos, bridal party photos, and all of your portraits with you and your husband or wife! Let's talk about why this doesn't work -


Family photos require the most about of people during the day, and can feel the most hectic, depending on how many people are involved! These typically take 20-40 minutes, completely dependent on the size of the family, or the ability to pull people from the reception and into photos.

Bridal party photos take around 30 minutes as your photographer will capture multiple full group shots, then you'll split up and take photos with just the bride and bridesmaids, and the groom and groomsmen. If there is no second photographer, this can take a bit longer.

Finally, the bride and groom portrait session! The photos you will hang in your home one day! As a photographer AND recent bride, I find this to be one of the most important portrait session slots of the day! I like to plan for at least 45min-1.5hrs spaced out through the day for bride and groom portraits to ensure we have plenty of YOU TWO (the whole reason we're all here!).



All of this to say, it is SO crucial to consult with your photographer/wedding planner before setting your ceremony and reception entrance times, to ensure there is plenty of time allotted for the important, posed photos of the day! And if you'd rather not spend the time between ceremony/reception taking all of these photos, this is where a first look can really help you get all of them done BEFORE your ceremony, so you can either take a few fun "just married" photos, have a private moment alone in the bridal suite, hop on a party bus, or join your cocktail hour!



 

You're nervous!



For the record, this is totally normal for your wedding day, and  you are ALLOWED to be nervous/feel anything that you feel! But I can't even tell you the amount of brides and grooms who said "I feel so much better now" after a first look! A first look is also the perfect time to read private vows to one another. If reading your vows in front of hundreds of people is something that terrifies you, I think it's such a sweet moment for couples to read their vows to one another privately. I've also seen this done without seeing one another before the ceremony with a "first touch", so you have options!


If your person is your safe place, and you hate being the center of attention, or if you don't like crying in front of people, it helps immensely to be able to see them before the ceremony!



 

You want THE emotional moment of seeing each other walking down the aisle, Or, you're afraid your man won't cry!


It's more than possible to have an emotional first look AND an emotional moment walking down the aisle. I've seen it with my own eyes! Here's the thing - if either of you are criers, you're both going to cry regardless. If you're not criers, there's a chance there wont be any tears. There's nothing wrong with either! Tears or no tears do not determine how much you guys love each other.


But let me tell you this - seeing the person you're going to marry on your wedding day will be emotional. It will be beautiful. It will be touching. It will be magical! Why? Because this is the start of the rest of your lives together. Whether you're reading vows to one another, slipping rings onto each others fingers, walking down the aisle towards each other, or turning around to see your love standing their looking her ABSOLUTE most beautiful, it will be emotional. I have never seen a first look take away from the magic of the day, or make that moment going down the aisle be LESS magical.



 

 

Now, all biases aside...



Because I'm sure I do sound a bit one sided here, I want to re-iterate something! This is YOUR wedding day. That means, if you've had a dream since you were small for your future hubby to see you for the very first time going down the aisle, that is the dream you should live out. Let your inner child have her day. And if you prefer the convenience of getting all of the posed photos done, have a first look. If you struggle with getting vulnerable in front of hundreds of people, but your person is your safe place, have a first look AND do private vows. If you want to express your love in front of all of your friends and family, say your vows during the ceremony. There's no wrong way to do your wedding, and there's no right way either. Your wedding can be whatever you want it to be.