A Wedding Photographer’s Romantic Argument for Doing a First Look

Why I always suggest couples do a first look on their wedding day.

Hello! If you’re reading this, you’re probablyyy at that point in wedding planning where you’re trying to figure out how to squeeze your family, couple and wedding party portraits into your run-of-show. You want to fit everything and everyone in, so you’re wondering if you should do a first look. 

As a wedding photographer, my answer to this is always yes - if the couple is comfortable with it. And it has nothing to do with timing (ok, fine, it doesn’t just have to do with timing).

 A first look is when a couple carves out a few minutes before the wedding ceremony to see each other for the first time, rather than waiting until they’re walking down the aisle. Many couples end up going this route so they can get their portraits out of the way before the ceremony, giving them the chance to soak up as much time as possible with their guests at the cocktail hour and reception.

Logistically, it’s a no brainer. Emotionally, it’s a more difficult decision. So without further ado, here is my romantic argument for a first look. 

You’ve probably heard a dozen times already that your wedding day will fly by in a flurry of hugs and laughs and toasts. A first look is one of the few moments you and your partner will fully have to yourselves. It’s a minute (or 10, if we’re lucky) of peace between getting ready and celebrating where you get to just focus on each other.

It is so unbelievably fair to want to wait until you’re walking down the aisle, and I’m not going to stop any couple from having the exact moment they’ve been dreaming of. 

But it’ll still be magical. You’re walking down the aisle, about to marry the love of your life, of COURSE it’ll still be magical! Already seeing your future spouse dressed up beforehand can’t hold a candle to the emotions of that moment. 

I’ve been photographing weddings for 4 years, and couples always say how much they ended up loving their first look. For some, it was the most romantic part of their day. For others, it made going into the ceremony much less nerve-wracking.  

So, yes. A first look makes your wedding day logistics a heck of a lot easier for your photographer, but it’s also a way for you and your partner to make room for one more quiet, core memory together. 

Hope this helps - and however you end up deciding to structure your wedding day, enjoy every minute of it!