Everything You Need to Know About First Look Before Your Wedding Day
A First look on your wedding day can be a truly beautiful and intimate moment for you and your partner. As a wedding photographer, I’ve had the pleasure of capturing these special moments firsthand and have seen how much they can add to the day. That being said, whether or not to have a first look is a personal decision that should ultimately be made by you and your partner.
Your wedding day should be about what feels right for you and your partner. Some couples prefer waiting until the ceremony to see each other, which is just as magical. Whatever you decide, I will support your decision.
However, if you decide to have a first look, I can guarantee it will be a wonderful experience. It gives you both a chance to take a deep breath and share a special moment together before the ceremony begins, which can be incredibly valuable.
As a luxury destination wedding photographer, I often have debates about the first look with almost every one of my couples, and I feel like a First look ambassador. Although more and more couples choose to have one, I still have clients who opt out of this fantastic experience. So I wrote down eight reasons you should consider having a first look.
As a European photographer who has captured nearly 200 weddings in the USA, including many Jewish weddings, I must admit that I was unfamiliar with the First look concept until I arrived here. However, now I realize it is an excellent option for couples, and I feel that I can confidently encourage any couple to consider it, regardless of their background or culture.
If you’re wondering why you should consider doing a First Look, let me share my main thoughts on the topic. And if you’re not in the mood for reading, I waited 8 months to write this blog post until I had a stunning set of images from a beautiful First Look to share with you. Just look at these photos and tell me where else you could get such an emotionally charged couple portrait.
And here are my eight:
1. It’s the only private moment during the day
I mean it for real. The first look is a truly special moment that provides couples the only private time they will have on their wedding day. Apart from the Yihud, where no photographer is allowed, it’s an opportunity to enjoy each other’s company without the hustle and bustle of the wedding party. To ensure the couple’s privacy, we capture these moments from a distance using a zoom lens. Before the first look, we provide detailed instructions to ensure the moment is not disrupted.
2. It’s a few minutes full of emotions
The First Look is a moment full of emotions that only lasts a few minutes. You can express your feelings, whether tears of joy or unbridled happiness, without worrying about the hundreds of guests surrounding you.
3. Seeing each other before the ceremony is remarkably different
Experiencing each other before the ceremony is a unique and distinct moment. Having a private moment together before the ceremony is an entirely different experience from seeing each other for the first time while walking down the aisle surrounded by your guests. If the feelings and emotions are authentic, they will be present at both moments, but each will still feel unique in its own way.
4. Look your best
By doing a first look, you’ll have the chance to look your absolute best in the photos that will capture this special moment. This is because you’ll have time to prepare yourself to present yourself exactly as you want to be seen. And when it’s time to walk down the aisle, you’ll also be able to look your best since you’ll already be feeling confident and relaxed from the first look session.
5. It’s an excellent opportunity for great pictures
Of course, you will get more photos during the day, but the first look is an excellent opportunity to capture truly unique and emotional moments between the two of you. It’s a chance to let your guard down and let those genuine, raw emotions come to the surface without any distractions or onlookers getting in the way. This makes for some truly unique and unforgettable photographs you’ll treasure forever.
6. It makes the flow of the day less stressful
Doing a First Look can help make the flow of the day less stressful. Without it, you won’t have the opportunity to see your partner before the ceremony. This won’t allow you to make your portrait session or family group shots before the ceremony. Additionally, if your wedding takes place in a location where the sun sets early, not doing a First Look could mean missing out on natural light for your portraits.
7. You can enjoy a cocktail hour
By doing a First look, you can save time and enjoy the cocktail hour with your guests. Traditionally, family group shots and newlyweds’ portraits are taken during the cocktail hour, which means that if you don’t do a First look, you’ll have to take these photos after the ceremony. This can cut into your time with your guests and may make the flow of the day feel rushed. By doing a First look, you’ll have more time to take photos of just the two of you, and then you can join your guests for the cocktail hour. Additionally, your photography team can take advantage of this time to capture detail shots of the wedding decor in the ballroom.
8. Do also daughter-father and son-mom first look!
8. Do also daughter-father and son-mom first look!
Consider doing a first look with your parents, too! A father-daughter or mother-son first look can be a beautiful and emotional moment, and it provides an opportunity for some meaningful photographs that you’ll treasure forever. You can share a private moment with your parent and capture their reactions as they see you in your wedding attire for the first time. Trust me, it’s a moment that you won’t regret.
You can say thank You later but do it. You won’t regret it. I promise!
Are you now convinced to consider a first look?
If you want to learn more about our studio and the services we offer, please feel free to visit our website. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have and help you plan your special day. Learn more!
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Oh my …. this is so touching. Now I see why First look!!!
Yes, indeed, first look.
This is an amazing set from the first look! And all great information. Thank You!
Thank you Joel.
Wow the bride and groom in the photos are so adorable!
Yes they are!
I’ve never heard of this and I wish I had about 14 years ago! What a beautiful tradition that I think you will convince more and more couples to take advantage of!
Yes, I hope so. Thanks for dropping by Bri.
Thank you for shining the light on this apparently often overlooked opportunity!
You are welcome Jill and thanks for dropping by.
When I got married, this wasn’t a thing yet…or at least I hadn’t heard of it. But if I were to get married today, I’d most likely do a first look. The moments you captured we’re gorgeous!
Thank you so much, I truly appreciate your comments.
I’m a wedding business brand a web designer and I think the first look is a super exciting part of the whole experience! 😀
True!
In the Philippines there is this famous quote “Pagtumingin ka akin ka” which means If you look, you’re mine.
Photographers should see that. The first time a couple looks at each other’s eyes are the sweetest.
So perfect! I love this. My family is old school and don’t believe that a groom should see the bride til she walks down the isle but I love this private moment!
I also love this private moment, thanks for dropping by Miranda.
Very interesting 🙂 I love your post about First look 🙂
Thank you so much.
Ahhhh so beautiful!! Love all the pictures:)
Never heard of this before. But, then, again, my husband and I eloped. LOL.
LOL
Yes, you have convinced me though the time had come and gone for me..lol. But the pictures are gorgeous!
They both look playful. There is nothing like having fun with your significant other. The best part is capturing your adventures with a talented and professional photographer
I am so happy that my husband and I did this! It was such a special moment and he was genuinely surprised to see me for the first time in my wedding dress. I would recommend to others to do it! Thanks for sharing this experience.❤
*Samantha
Weddings are so different from we were married. Do what makes you happy.
I didn’t put much thought into First Look photos. We were on a considerable time crunch, though and – honestly – it felt like pictures took too long. But I think we did miss out on the closeness of the moments for some things like a First Look.
Yes, true. The first look should be treasured and cherished.
I wouldn’t want to do a first look, but these photos are fantastic. You can certainly see the happiness and joy.
This is honestly a great question. We did a first-look at our wedding, and I ended up feeling sort of unsatisfied with it. For us, it was a little contrived and it kind of took away from the wedding dress reveal, imo. However, I do think that some people would have a really fun time with this, and a great photographer can make all the difference as well.
These are amazing first look photos. Plus, the setting is gorgeous!
I would so say yes on the first look…the most incredible intimate moments are captured during these!!!!!
True that Justyna, thanks for dropping by.
You ALWAYS need a first look! First looks are the time when the couple gets to forget about the craziness that is their wedding day and just focus on the love they share! Absolutely stunning work, as per usual!
Thank you for such a great comment Lindsey.
First Looks are one of my favorite parts of the whole day! And I definitely agree especially about the couple getting some time together during the day! 🙂
I couldn’t agree more Sarah. Thanks for dropping by.
Thank you!
Sweet blog! I found it while searching on Yahoo News.
Do you have any tips on how to get listed in Yahoo News?
I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there!
Thank you
Wow, I really have no idea. Thanks for dropping by anyway.
Hello, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues.
When I look at your blog site in Opera, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping.
I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, wonderful blog!
Hi, I really hope that nobody uses Internet Explorer nowadays.
Wonderful info on the wedding day first look!! It’s so great getting that intimate time together!!
Indeed, an intimate moment shared together.
Thank you.
I had a first look at my wedding and I don’t regret it at all!
Yes yes yes!! Always do a first look. There is something so special and intimate about it – as long as the entire bridal party and the rest of the resort isn’t there watching, ha!
I think first looks are such a personal choice! I love them for all of the reasons you’ve got listed! But we didn’t do one on our wedding day. I wonder if I’d change that now!
Such a great read on first looks! We did one, and couldn’t have been happier about it! made the day go so smoothly
First looks are so awesome! I agree with all your reasons – I say yes to first looks all the way!
Jan will be photographing my wedding this July, and reading this article is one of the main reasons I decided I wanted a First Look! It will mean so much to me and my future husband to have such a private moment together before walking down the aisle, since we probably won’t get many moments alone that day. I can’t wait to see the pictures from this!
Thank You very much for this comment, Morgan!
I’m pleased that this article served to the right decision.
[…] highly recommend doing a first look; it’s an extremely intimate special moment you will cherish […]