Your wedding day is a celebration of love and commitment, and every decision you make contributes to the overall experience. One choice that has become increasingly popular, yet remains a subject of debate, is whether or not to have a “first look” on your wedding day. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the pros and cons of doing a first look and help you navigate this emotional decision.

No First Look

I would say “traditionally” but nowadays people go through and make their own traditions with their wedding days and marriages, as they should! So “traditionally” there is no first look on a wedding day. There are plenty of people who still love the tradition of not having a first look and I fully embrace and love that. It is so special having that moment of when you walk down the aisle being the first time you see each other. Here are some questions you might ask if you are leaning more towards not having a first look, along with some answers.

“Will we have enough times to ourselves on our wedding day if we opt out of a first look?” Absolutely. It is YOUR wedding day, you can decide how much time you get to spend with one another!! If you want a private dinner before the reception, do it! Not having a first look also grants you with getting to do your portraits alone after the ceremony. You are the only people in control of how much time you get alone together on your wedding day, so if that’s important to you… make it happen!

“Is there some way we can still read private vows to one another without seeing each other?” There are a multitude of ways to do this. My favorite way I have seen couples be able to have a moment alone together without seeing each other is by doing a “First Touch” so to speak. The idea is generally either back to back or around a corner/doorway to be able to hold hands and read private vows to one another. You still get to talk and hold hands, but you still get the surprise of the first looks as you walk down the aisle.

“How can we make sure we get enough time for portraits of just the two of us if we still have to squeeze in some family portraits after the ceremony?” So there is actually a couple different ways to ensure you have enough time for portraits together. If you really want to have enough time for portraits after the ceremony, plan your ceremony earlier than sunset. Give yourself about 2 hours before sunset and allot 30 minutes for the ceremony and 30 minutes for family portraits, that gives you an hour of golden hour portraits just the two of you. If that doesn’t particularly work for you, you can also schedule some portraits the next day or sometime after. What better way to get back in that wedding dress?!

“Will my nerves get the best of me if we don’t get them out before the ceremony?” The chances of you getting so nervous before the ceremony that it gets the best of you are SLIM. You will be filled with adrenaline and excitement, not anxiety or stress. Plus, when you walk down that aisle and look at the love of your life standing on the other end of it, it will all go away!

First look

First looks are becoming so normal nowadays, they are almost their own tradition. They are have a lot of pros to them versus cons and make the day run a bit more easily in the end, but like I said before… it’s your decision and your decision alone!

“By doing a first look, will it ruin the moment of walking down the aisle?” Absolutely not. A first look in no way takes away that moment of seeing each other from across the aisle and realizing “This is it. This is the moment I marry my best friend.” It doesn’t take away any emotion, the joy, or the moment you both will cherish for years to come. I have seen just as many couples get emotional walking down the aisle after a first look as I have ones that have opted out. Walking down the aisle is a HUGE moment, a first look could never take away from that.

“What does having a first look do to benefit us?” There’s actually a few things a first look can do to benefit you on your wedding day. For starters, it gives you both 15-30 minutes EXTRA alone time just the two of you. You get to be emotional and vulnerable with the person you love alone and not in front of everyone. It also gives you the opportunity to get all of your family and wedding party photos done before the ceremony so you can go straight into some sunset photos and dinner. There are more benefits to doing a first look as well but those two are the main ones that are important.

“Can my first look be private, away from family and wedding party?” ABSOLUTELY. It can be as private as you want. You can still read private vows to one another if you want and be as secluded as much as you want. Make sure you tell your photographer, videographer, and coordinator you want it private and they will make it happen. Your vendor team is your number one fan and they are there to make it happen for you. I have personally helped my brides with their dresses and veils to keep from having to enlist bridesmaids from coming. They will also be as involved or as far back as you want them to be to keep it special for the two of you.

Ultimately, the decision to have a first look on your wedding day is deeply personal and should reflect your values, preferences, and the unique dynamics of your relationship. Consider the pros and cons carefully, communicate openly with your partner, and prioritize what matters most to both of you. Whether you choose the traditional route or opt for a first look, remember that your wedding day is a celebration of your love, and the most important thing is to create a day that feels true to your unique story.