When it comes to planning a wedding, there are SO many decisions that must be made…

Who should officiate?
What should we serve for dinner?
Where will we hold the ceremony?

I could go on and on… But one of the decisions that can often be very hard to finalize is whether or not to do a first look.

One of my favorite moments to capture on a wedding day is the first look. While many couples still love the tradition of waiting until the aisle, more and more are choosing to share a private, emotional moment before the ceremony. A first look gives you a chance to pause, take it all in, and really connect with each other before the whirlwind of the day begins. It also allows me to capture genuine reactions, calm some nerves, and create images that feel truly intimate and authentic.

If you are unfamiliar, a first look is when the couple decides to privately (with the photographer present of course) see each other for the first time all dressed up and ready for the ceremony before walking down the aisle. Now I know this strays from tradition… but there are some major benefits to this newly practiced tradition.

So to help all of you recently engaged couples have one less decision on your hands, I thought I would share why couples often choose to do a first look, as well as some of the benefits!

It’s a moment alone together. Your wedding day will go by in the blink of an eye, so by doing a first look, you’re giving yourself a moment alone with your partner to slow down and take it all in. Some couples choose to exchange gifts, vows, or letters at this time without having to worry about an audience listening or watching. Having extra eyes can be very intimidating, and after all, today is just about the two of you! So do what makes you the most comfortable.
It allows you to get the wedding party and family pictures out of the way before the wedding ceremony. Often couples choose to do images between the ceremony and the reception, this takes time away from the party and guests. Sometimes this space is filled with a cocktail hour, but no one wants to keep their guests waiting for too long OR be missing out on their party! Get all of those extra images out of the way so that you don’t miss a thing.
It’s a chance to get the jitters out of the way. It is completely normal to be a bit nervous on your wedding day. You’ve spent years dreaming of this day and months planning it. Any stress or nerves will be calmed when you are with your person so that come the ceremony, you will be more present and at ease.

When it comes down to choosing by doing a first look or not, choose whatever fits you and your partner best. As a wedding photographer, it’s my job to let you know your options, the pros and cons, and then to capture it all beautifully, no matter what you choose!