First, what is a first look? A first look is a private moment, approximately 20 minutes, set aside right before the ceremony to see each other. This goes against the tradition of your groom seeing you at the ceremony, but don’t count it out just yet.

Read on to find out how a first look can benefit you.

Many of my couples ask me whether or not they should have a first look and now that you’ve answered the question of ‘what is a first look’, you can come to your own conclusion.

In my professional opinion as a wedding photographer, I think they are an excellent idea. I love first looks. I know that they are a tad bit ‘untraditional,’ but let me take a minute to explain the benefits of a first look.

1. Your wedding day will be crazy busy. No getting around it. You have so much to do and so little time to do it in. If you have a first look, it helps to calm down the day a bit. Instead of trying to rush around to get everyone together and have pictures taken between the wedding ceremony and reception while your guests are waiting, you’ll have that time to relax and enjoy your guests and not have to worry about being late to your reception. We can do all of the main portraits before the ceremony even begins – at the very least, the bride and groom and bridal party photos. This way, your hair and makeup are still perfect, as they were just finished. If your family is coming earlier, we can do their photos beforehand, as well, or we will only have to worry about those portraits after the ceremony and not the bridal party shots.
2. A first look also gives you a very special, intimate moment with your new spouse. If you are nervous or stressed out, this will especially help to relax you, and your spouse can comfort you and let you know it will all be OK. During the ceremony, there are many of people around and you can’t fully take in the moment because everyone is staring at you. With a first look, that moment is just between you and your spouse (and your photographer, of course – which you won’t even know that I am there, I promise).
3. Even if you have a first look, your husband will be just as happy to see you walking down the aisle and you’ll still take his breath away. Don’t worry that you’ll be spoiling the moment by seeing him prior to the ceremony. Every groom I have asked says that the moment of his bride walking down his aisle is breathtaking even though he’d seen her moments before.

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