Should you do a first look on your wedding day? This is one of the decisions I help my couples make early in the planning process, as it significantly affects the feel and timeline for their day.

When I ask if a couple wants to do a first look, sometimes the answer is a resounding “no,” sometimes, it is a hard “yes,” but most often, they’re a bit up in the air—torn between going with what has been considered traditional for so long, and the new “trend” (though, I’d argue it is less of a trend and more of a here-to-stay-option) of seeing one another before meeting at the alter. 

Your decision on whether or not to do a first look will impact your wedding day timeline and shift the feel of your day. So, deciding what feels right for you depends on many factors! Here’s what you need to know.

What is a First Look?

Traditionally, the first time a couple sees one another on a wedding day is when one partner walks down the aisle. On the other hand, a first look is a moment before the ceremony when the couple can see each other, and the photographer gets a chance to capture this moment in a non-traditional way. After the first look, the couple typically takes their first round of photos together.

When and Why Did First Looks Become Popular?

There are likely a few reasons why first looks have become more prevalent in the last decade or so. 

The rise of digital cameras allowed photographers to move away from the rigidity required to capture an entire wedding day on film. Film cameras only allow 24 or 36 images per roll, take some time to swap between rolls, and are more costly to develop. Putting the couple’s photos, wedding party photos, and family photos together after the ceremony made a lot of sense for time and financial efficiency. 

Some photographers have brought film back into their repertoire and use it as a way to slow down, be a bit more intentional, and artfully capture moments in a timeless way that digital edits can never perfectly replicate. But, digital cameras do allow photographers to take more creative risks and spend more time having fun with couples, which completely transformed the traditional approach to a wedding day timeline and what a typical wedding day “should” look like.

Pros and Cons of Doing a First Look On Your Wedding Day

Whether or not you should do a first look has a ton to do with personal preference, your vision for your final gallery, your priorities, and what you want the flow of your day to look and feel like. Here are some of the pros and cons of doing a first look on your wedding day that I go through with all of my couples.

Reasons to Do a First Look

It Helps With Pre-Wedding Jitters

I always describe my first look with my husband as “finally letting out the breath I didn’t know I was holding all morning.” Whether or not you’re actually nervous about your ceremony, spending time alone to talk about your morning and what you’re most excited about can help you stay more present at the altar. (And this is the perfect time to find out what he thinks of your dress, obviously!).

You Get Some (Real) Alone Time

Wedding days are funny. They’re a big celebration of your relationship with your partner, but you barely have time to focus solely on each other. A first look is one of the only times of your day when you can focus on your partner, be fully present with them, and enjoy each other’s one-on-one company.  

First Looks Can Be Creative and Add Gallery Variety

Doing a first look gives you the chance to take a round of couple’s photos before the ceremony. This usually means more pictures of the two of you in your final gallery. And, because this chunk of time is usually a bit longer than time later on, you can get more creative with your photos and hit multiple locations.

You Get More Time At Cocktail Hour (Aka, More Time to Spend With Loved Ones)

This is one of the main reasons I see more and more couples choosing to do a first look.  A first look allows you to do a round of couple’s photos and all bridal party photos before the ceremony. This just leaves family photos for cocktail hour (some people even choose to do those before the ceremony, too). 

You spend so much time (and money) planning a day to celebrate with the people you love the most, and a first look allows you more time to spend with the loved ones you’ve intentionally chosen to share your day with.

Reasons Not to Do a First Look

It’s Untraditional 

For some people, sticking to tradition is important, and the romanticism of seeing your partner for the first time while walking down the aisle is exciting. If this is the case, trust yourself and your vision! A first look may not be for you:) 

You’ll Have an Earlier Start Time

Because you’re taking about an hour (or more) of photos before the ceremony (instead of during cocktail hour), this usually means an earlier start time for you and your photographer. 

This means you’ll need to start getting ready earlier in the day and decide if you want to add hours to your photography package if you want your photographer to stay later into the night. 

I find that a standard 8-hour photography package is the perfect option to capture a first look, all formal dances and speeches, and 30-60 minutes of dance floor fun! This is hands down the most popular option my couples choose, and it allows for a smooth and unrushed feeling to your day!

Loved Ones Aren’t a Part of It

If it is important to you that friends and family are present the first time you see your partner, a first look probably isn’t for you as it is most often done in a secluded location before most guests arrive.

How to Find a Happy Medium

If you’re on the fence and looking for ways to “split the difference,” here are a few options!

1. Give a gift or do a “first something else”: This can be a great way to connect with your partner before the ceremony before actually seeing them! So, you wouldn’t do a typical first look, but you’d capture photos of you and your partner opening a gift, reading a letter, or even talking on the phone. 
2. Family first look: If you like the idea of surprising someone with your dress or suit, a first look with a family member (ex: a bride and her dad or her bridesmaids) can be a fun way to give a similar feeling of surprise and excitement to your gallery without doing the first look with your partner.
3. Add a surprise: Do a first look, but leave something out of your look so you still have a bit of surprise when you walk down the aisle. For example, I wore a long vail for my ceremony but skipped it for my first look. So my husband was still “surprised” by something. You could take this one step further, do your first look in cute wedding pajamas, and save your dress and suit for the big aisle moment.

So, Should You Do a First Look on Your Wedding Day?

The answer is completely unique to you, your relationship, your priorities, and your vision for your final gallery. Digging into all of these factors is one of the most important things I do with my couples as we work together to plan their day. Click here to learn more about my Vermont Wedding Photography packages and exactly what to expect while working together!

What do you think? Are you planning on doing a first look? Why or why not? If you’re already married and did a first look, what did you like about it, and would you do it again?