What is a first look?  Basically, you are going to see each other before the ceremony.  My husband and I did a first look.  When I told my mom, she was appalled.  Neither of my sisters had done that and this was the first time she had every heard of it.  My parents were 100% traditionalists and this was bad luck.  But we persisted and it was one of the best things that we did.

But, if you fall into the more traditional category, that is great too!  Remember, it is your wedding day and you do YOU!  What makes you happy and comfortable is what is right for your wedding.

Pros:

1. Spending quiet time together:

•  There are, obviously, a lot of nerves that go along with the wedding day. This is one way to take a deep breath and just be together for a minute before the craziness commences.
• Even though this is the day celebrating the two of you coming together as one, there is a good chance that this with be one of, if not, the only time that you can be alone. Grab the chance!
• Plus, this is the point where you will look your very best! You will have just finished hair and make-up, just put your dress on and perfected every detail.  Who better to show that off to?

2.  Be present at your wedding:

•  In my 15 years of being a wedding photographer, I have never seen a ceremony be less emotional because they had a first look. All of those emotions were still there, if not, heightened.  The difference is, the stress, nerves had been lessened.  The day goes so fast!  I think a first look slows it down a little.
• By doing more pictures before the ceremony, you create more time after. It’s all about being creative with the timeline.  If you choose, you can make it to your cocktail hour, be with your guests.  Make more memories with your loved ones.  This is one of the most common reasons that I hear couples choose to do a first look.

3.  Get more pictures:

•  From November until March, the sunset around 4ish to 5:30ish, depending on when your wedding falls in that time window.  If your wedding is at 4, when are you going to do those pictures?  If you want natural light pictures, you can either have your ceremony earlier in the day or do a first look.
• I hate to be the one to break it to you, but no wedding goes exactly as planned. There are a million things that can go wrong, even with the best-planned wedding.  But, if you have a first look planned, very rarely are your pictures affected.  Even if there is a traffic jam that half your guests are stuck in that delays your ceremony, and, therefore, delays your pictures following your ceremony, it’s okay!

Cons:

1. Traditionalist:

•  Your entire life you pictured seeing your groom for the first time at the end of the aisle and feeling all the feels…skip the first look. It is your day!!!  Adjust your timeline to get the pictures that you want.

2.  Too much pressure:

•  You or your future spouse are more private with their emotions. You don’t want to be let down if they aren’t as emotional as you would like.  Or visa versa, you don’t want to let them down.  This is me!  I don’t cry in public and I get embarrassed when I am expected to show that emotion.  But my husband understands that about me so it didn’t stop us from doing the first look.  But for some, that would be a huge holdup.  Even if you keep everyone in your family and bridal party away, the photographer and videographer will still be there. I try to be as discreet as possible, never interrupt or cut it short, that is your time.  But, the fact that there will still be someone present can also cause pressure.

3.  There will be plenty of time:

•  You have planned your day to have a lot of room in your timeline to work with the sunset, delays, surprises. An hour after the ceremony will be fine and that it all the pictures that you need.

Sample Timelines:

I prepared these for a client who was trying to decide between having a first look or not.  These are just to give you an idea of what is possible.  Every wedding is different and you can email me to create your own “photo friendly” timeline.  With these timelines, we were working with fixed times.  With the Traditional Option, you will definitely see there is less time for pictures.  This bride decided to go with the Family Only Option to give us more time for those important pictures, but still, see her groom for the first time when she came down the aisle.  It worked out beautifully.

First Look Option

1:30  First Look

1:45  Wedding Party

2:15  Couple Pictures

3:10  Done with Pictures

3:30  Ceremony

4:00  Family Pictures

4:30  Finish any Couple Pictures

5:00  Reception Begins

Family Only Option

1:30  Bridesmaids

1:15  Bride’s Immediate Family

2:00  Groomsmen

2:15  Groom’s Family

3:00  Done with Pictures

3:30  Ceremony

4:00  Combined Family Pictures

4:15  Combined Bridal Party Pictures

4:30  Couple Pictures

5:00  Reception Begins

Traditional Option

3:30  Ceremony

4:00  Family Pictures

4:20  Bridal Party  Pictures

4:40  Couple Pictures

5:00  Reception Begins

Options for those that would rather not do a first look, but wants to have a moment with their future husband/wife:

Reading vows:  I had one couple that did not see each other but held hands and read each other with vows before the ceremony.  It was a very special moment and relieved a lot of pressure.

First touch:  I had another couple that opted for a First Touch.  They held hands and were able to talk to relieve stress.  Another great option.

And then there was this fun option!