A Look at First Looks

Wedding couples have a mountain of decisions to make when planning their special day, from choosing the perfect vendors, to finalizing the guest list, each decision plays a crucial role in creating a memorable wedding experience. One key decision is deciding when to do your first look with your future spouse. The traditional route is to walk down the aisle and share the first look with your friends and family alongside you. A new modern ritual has started with planning an intimate first look before the ceremony with your partner.

As the special day draws near, feel free to utilize the following details to help you decide on the perfect first look moment.

If You Wait Until the Altar

Builds Excitement and Anticipation

Choosing to wait until the ceremony to catch the first glimpse of each other intensifies the sense of eager anticipation and adds a layer of emotional depth to your special day. This decision not only heightens the excitement for the moment you lock eyes, but also creates a space for your loved ones to share in the genuine reactions and emotions that unfold when you finally unite at the altar. It's a beautiful opportunity to savor the anticipation and revel in the powerful connection you both share, surrounded by the loving presence of family and friends.

Have a Relaxing Morning

If you forgo a first look, you are able to relax and start getting ready just a little later instead of rushing to prepare for photos before the ceremony. This allows you to sleep in a little longer, spend more time with the guys or gals, and not feel as time crunched.

If You Do a First Look

Enjoy an Intimate Moment

You get to experience the moment with your partner with less eyes on the two of you, and soak up the moment for as long as you want. If you want the moment to be as private as possible, you can even ask your photographer and videographer to capture the moment at a distance. In addition, you get to spend time together before the ceremony, with your favorite person to calm your nerves before going in front of the crowd.

Make it YOU-nique

Your first look is individualized to you, so you can take this time to read private vows, read each other a letter, share a song, or pop a bottle of champagne. This is your personal time to appreciate each other on one of the best days of your life; to connect amongst the day of celebration.

Maximize Your Wedding Timeline

When you do a first look, you have the opportunity to start or finish wedding party and family photos before the ceremony. If you decide to do group photos following the ceremony, this could take up to an hour or longer, whereas getting these photos completed before the ceremony gives you flexibility to either go straight to the reception to start celebrating with your guests or utilize ‘cocktail hour’ to get some photos of just the two of you as a newly-wed couple.

Tips to Prepare for Your First Look

Tip 1: Discuss your plans with your photographer in advance so they can help cultivate the best experience and ensure no moments are missed. Including a second shooter in your package can help capture different perspectives of your special moment.

Tip 2: Decide if you want family and friends to witness this moment or if you’d like to be more private and intimate. Planning this ahead of time, you can vocalize your desires to your wedding planner and photographer to assist in fulfilling your wishes.

Tip 3: Consider doing a first look with other special people in your life. Many brides choose to do first looks with their bridal party, mothers, grandmothers, father, or grandfathers. Grooms have also done first looks with their family members, or a goofy one with friends, like

Tip 4: Add some giggles to your wedding day by pranking your fiance with their best friend and a thrifted wedding dress, in which your partner expects to see you, but turns to a man in a dress instead.

Tip 5: An alternative to first look is First Touch, in which you choose to hold hands around a corner or a tree but still wait until walking down the aisle for your first look.

The choice is up to you because it’s your day, and no matter when you first see your fiance, that moment will be incredible.