To First Look or Not To First Look

The First Look exchanged by a bride and groom on the day of their wedding is one of the most magical moments of the whole wedding day. Whether you decide to wait until the ceremony to see each other or you do a first look prior, nothing will top the rush of emotions that flood once your eyes meet.

Are you stuck on whether or not to do a first look? Let us help you weigh the pros and cons.

Photo: Madison Delany Photography

Pros:

More Time to Spend with your Significant Other

Couples who choose a first look before the ceremony spend an average of 3 more hours together on their wedding day than those who wait to see each other for the first time at the alter. They also have a chance to exchange words and an embrace in private that they would not necessarily have the opportunity to do at the alter. Plus, they don’t have the stress of purposely, carefully avoiding each other all day before the ceremony.

Relaxed Photography Sessions Timeline

With more time together, choosing the first look option allows the wedding day photography timeline to be more relaxed. Couples who choose the first look option typically have 30-60 minutes of more time for photos together. Instead of fitting all of their photos together into a 60-90 minute timeline during the party (after the ceremony and before the dinner reception) couples are able to move at a more leisurely pace to accomplish the first look, wedding party photos, and family photos before the ceremony in 90-120 minutes.

More Time to Spend with your Guests

With a first look, couples complete 75-100% of portrait photos before the ceremony. This allows the couple, the wedding party, and the family to join social hour with other guests after the ceremony instead of using that time for photo sessions. Since the wedding day goes by quickly with the couple being pulled in multiple directions, the social hour is a good opportunity for the couple to connect with guests, especially the people they do not get to see often. This also allows the photographer to capture more candid photos of all guests.

Photo: Studio 220

Less Ceremony Jitters

Doing a first look may help to relieve nerves coming into the ceremony. With the first look out of the way, couples may be more capable of focusing on the content of the ceremony. Walking down the aisle already has a person thinking, “Don’t trip. Smile. Hold the bouquet up.” Adding in the thoughts of, “What is my partner thinking seeing me for the first time?” might cause more jitters. The emotions that come with the first look moment - the happy tears - could also be taken care of ahead of time and allow for makeup touch ups before the public nuptials.

Cons:

May Feel Awkward

While the first look is a private moment between partners, it also typically includes your photographer and videographer. Sometimes the wedding party and family want to sneak a peak as well. To some, this set up might feel staged and awkward and might not elicit as authentic of a reaction as seeing each other for the first time from opposite ends of the aisle.

Isn’t Considered Traditional

Some couples simply want to keep their big day more traditional, which includes the dramatic unveiling of each others’ ensembles and smiling faces during the ceremony. If you have always dreamed of this magical, suspenseful moment, feel free to prioritize that.

Photo: Laura Alpizar

Good to know:

Timeline Effects

Whether or not a first look is part of the wedding day can greatly affect the timeline.

Ceremonies with no first look typically start earlier since more time is needed after the ceremony for photos. This also means a longer social hour is typically necessary, in which case it is helpful for guests to have extra social hour activities. This also means that hair and makeup services typically need to start earlier in the morning, which could be tricky for larger wedding parties but might be less of an issue for smaller wedding parties.

For example:

1-2:30pm Pre-Ceremony Portrait Photos, Bride and Bridesmaids, Bride and Family, Groom and Groomsmen, Groom and Family

3pm Ceremony

3:30-5:30pm Social Hour + Portrait Photos, Family Photos, Wedding Party Photos, Couple Photos (couple may or may not have time to join social hour)

6pm Dinner

Alternatively, with a first look:

1:30-3:30pm Pre-Ceremony Portrait Photos, First Look + Couple Photos, Wedding Party Photos, Family Photos

4pm Ceremony

4:30-5:30pm Social Hour (no portraits, couple may join social hour)

6pm Dinner

Photo: Taylor Lauren Photography

In the end, there is no right or wrong choice for when to do a first look - whether in private or at the ceremony. What works for one couple might not always work for another. Couples should make a personal choice knowing the pros and cons and listening to the professional advice of their photographer and planner. Whichever direction is chosen, the first time seeing one another is sure to be special!

PHOTO: VEIDAS CAMERA