Seeing your soon-to-be spouse for the first time on your wedding day is a truly magical moment. There are so many options when it comes to your first look. Will you share an intimate moment away from the hustle and bustle of your big day before you say your vows? Or are you dreaming of a traditional first look as you walk down the aisle to be married? This question impacts your entire wedding planning process, so knowing your options is essential to make the best decision possible. Choosing whether or not to have a first look before your wedding ceremony will impact your wedding day timeline, vendor arrival times, and how many hours you will need certain vendors onsite. So, is a first look right for you?
Why a First Look Might Be Right for You:
More Portrait Opportunities
Scheduling a first look before your wedding ceremony allows for additional photo opportunities throughout the day. You’ll have more time for bridal portraits, family photos, and bridal party photos. There will also be more time to explore different locations, maybe even an offsite location, giving you a diverse range of portraits in various settings. Plus, when you have a first look, you’ll have portraits from different times of the day, which is especially important in case of rain.
Fewer Nerves
The pre-ceremony jitters can get to anyone. A first look can help alleviate anxiety by giving you a grounding moment with your partner. You’ll have time to enjoy each other’s presence before being in front of a large crowd of people saying some of the most important words you’ll ever say, “I do.”
More Time Together
Who doesn’t want more time with their partner on their wedding day? When you have a first look, you’ll have some precious alone time and spend more of your wedding day together. You could exchange private vows after your first look, share a drink, or soak in the feelings of your big day.
Seamless Transition
Opting for a first look can facilitate a smoother transition from ceremony to reception. You’ll have the option to forgo a cocktail hour altogether or join your guests for a cocktail hour, allowing you to enjoy more of the celebration.
Why No First Look Might Be Right for You:
It’s More Traditional
If you and your fiance have a special place in your heart for the tradition of seeing each other for the first time as you walk down the aisle, it might be a good idea to skip the first look before your ceremony. Even if you choose not to have a first look, you can still do something meaningful together before walking down the aisle without seeing each other.
You Want a Grand Reveal
Some couples prefer an intimate moment with just the two of them, and some couples want to spend the moment surrounded by loved ones. Choosing to wait until you walk down the aisle creates a grand moment that will be a lasting memory for you and your ceremony guests. You also get some added suspense that can create a profound movement for everyone present.
A Genuine Moment
Depending on your personality, forgoing a first look may feel more genuine. You’ll get to enjoy the raw emotion of seeing each other for the first time on your wedding day without feeling overly rehearsed.
Less Time Together
Yes, choosing to forego a first look means spending less time together on your wedding day. But you might feel more present, amplifying your excitement for your ceremony. And don’t worry, from this day forward, you’ll have the rest of your lives to be with each other 24/7.
Other Things to Keep In Mind
- If you decide not to have a first look, remember that you’ll have to take most of your portraits between the ceremony and reception.
- Portraits can take upwards of three hours, depending on your wedding day. When you add up the time of taking bride and groom portraits, family photos, and bridal party portraits,
- If you don’t have a first look before your ceremony, you’ll definitely want to schedule a cocktail hour or another activity before your grand entrance.
- Find a quiet moment for just the two of you on your wedding day, whether or not you have a cocktail hour.
- Keep in mind any cultural and religious traditions you want to honor on your wedding day. Your background may impact your decision, so consider how a first look aligns with the traditions that are important to you.
Weather and lighting may also affect your decision. Consider the lighting situation in your ceremony venue and whether or not you want your precious first look photos to be taken in that lighting or backdrop. The weather might affect your location options for a first look or ceremony. - At the end of the day, it is important to weigh your options and decide as a couple whether or not to have a first look. Whatever you decide, I wish you the best!
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