“Should we do a first look before our wedding?” This is one of the most common questions couples ask me when they hire me to take their wedding photos. Torn between the tradition of not seeing the bride before the wedding and wanting that private time together at the beginning of your wedding celebration, it can be challenging to decide. There’s no right or wrong answer, and I’ll support whatever you choose to do, but I’m very pro first look and here’s why!

First of all, what is a first look? If you haven’t spent much time around the wedding/elopement industry this may be the first time you’re hearing this term. A first look is when a couple chooses to set aside some time before their wedding ceremony to see each other and spend a few quiet moments together, without the eyes of all their guests and loved ones looking on. The main purpose of this is to provide some intentional time for the couple to spend together and really take in what the day is about. It provides space in what can otherwise be a busy, sometimes chaotic, day and I believe it allows you to enjoy the rest of your wedding day more.

So why do I encourage a first look?

Quality Time

Let’s be honest; we all know how busy a wedding day can be. You are trying to squeeze one of life’s biggest occasions into a single day of celebrating, and yet, while the whole day is focused on joining two people’s lives, couples often find they don’t actually get very much time together. Starting the wedding with a first look ensures that you get some quality time with just your partner to celebrate together. It also provides some really sweet photo opportunities as you share the excitement of the day together.

Being More Present In The Moment
Wedding days are naturally charged with high energy and emotions and I’ve found that spreading it out can help you more fully enjoy and engage with each aspect of the day. More often than not seeing your fiance/fiancee is the part of the day you’re most excited about and when you take the time to do a first look it takes away some of that nervous energy and allows you to then be more fully present and enjoy the time spent with others the rest of the day.

More Time To Party!
You’ve spent months planning a celebration with your family and friends and now that you’re finally here you don’t want to miss out on it! If you choose not to see each other before your wedding ceremony that means that most of your photos have to be taken sometime during cocktail hour or the reception, meaning you’re missing out on that time with family and friends. By doing a first look you can do nearly all of your photos before your ceremony which frees you up to be fully present for your reception and party with each of the people you’ve chosen to be there for your wedding.

Take Off The Pressure
We all love those videos of a groom getting choked up when they turn and see their bride walking down the aisle, and I get it! That’s my favorite part of a wedding ceremony also! Many couples feel that by doing a first look it will take away from the emotion of the ceremony, but I’ve found the opposite to be true. When you’ve already had some time to see each other and shake off the nervous energy (refer back to point two) it allows you to be more in tune with what’s really happening during the ceremony and let me tell you, when you really stop and look at each other and remember why you’re there, the emotions are every bit as strong.

I’ve been shooting weddings for over 13 years now and I can say with complete confidence that a first look does not take away from the moment when you’re walking down the aisle. It eases stress, simplifies timelines, gives you more time with loved ones and all around allows for such a fun and meaningful wedding day for which you can be fully present.

See below for some favorite photos of an intimate first look with Graham and Hannah!