Should We Do a First Look at our Wedding?

One of the most common questions I get from my brides and grooms is whether they should see each other before the ceremony. For obvious reasons, this occasion is called a “first look,” and it seems like more than half of my couples choose to do it. There are benefits to both seeing each other beforehand or waiting for the ceremony. However, I tell my clients to make their decision based on how they want to remember their day, not because of any timeline or logistical benefits.

There are no shortage of articles online about first looks on wedding days, but I’ll share my two cents in this post. Seeing each other beforehand can be an emotional, joyful, and intimate moment for just you and your spouse-to-be. You can talk, laugh, cry, and just enjoy a moment of peace together before the whirlwind of wedding-day events begins to unfold.

On the other hand, the drama and excitement of seeing each other for the first time at the ceremony has stayed tradition for a reason. It’s a very powerful and exciting moment, and all of your wedding guests will be there to witness it with you.

Logistically, if you choose to do a first look, you can do the family photos and/or the fun bridal party photos before the ceremony even starts. This means that if you’re having the ceremony and reception in one location, you never need to leave your venue once you arrive, and you can stay to celebrate with your guests. But if your ceremony and reception are in different locations, it might make more sense to do the family and bridal party photos after the ceremony, since your guests have to travel to a different location anyways.

To summarize, do what you want to do! Worry less about logistics and more about how the two of you want to spend your day. If you have questions about first looks or anything else, feel free to shoot me an email. And no matter how you decide to plan your day, remember to have some fun!

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