Deciding on a First Look and What This Means for Your Wedding

A first look can be something that couples decide to do to make the first time you and your soon-to-be spouse see one another all dolled up, something really special. With first looks, couples can decide to do a special private first look with just the two of them, or couples can do more of a traditional “down the aisle” first look during the ceremony. This all depends on each couple’s preference and when couples would like to do pictures!

What A First Look Means for your Timeline

If you choose to do a first look, this would usually mean that your bridal party photos would be prior to the ceremony since you and your soon-to-be spouse would have already seen each other from the first look. Then, you would have more time after the ceremony to do family photos and more time to socialize with your guests before the reception. If you choose not to do a first look, your bridal party photos, family photos, and bride & groom photos would be done after the ceremony. This would mean that you don’t get to your reception as quickly.

What No First Looks Means for your Timeline

Maybe you would rather not do a first look before the ceremony but prefer to do more of a traditional “down the aisle” first look. So, what does this mean for your timeline? This would mean that all of your photos (family, bridal party, and bride & groom) would be after the ceremony. Doing this style of first look would allow for you to be able to take your time getting ready before the ceremony and be able to enjoy the morning with a slower pace and less “to-do”. However, this would mean that there would need to be more of a gap between the ceremony and reception in order to make time for the photos! 

 First Look Alternatives

Let’s say you want to have a moment with your soon-to-be spouse before the ceremony but you don’t want to actually see one another. There are a few alternative options to doing a first look that can allow you to do just that! Some of these include: touching back to back while holding hands, having a conversation or prayer around the corner of a doorway, exchanging gifts or vows back to back, a blindfolded hug, or anything else you can dream up! These offer the ability to spend a little quality time together before the craziness of the day without getting rid of that traditional down-the-aisle first look! 

Common Misconceptions About First Looks

Oftentimes other people or other photographers believe that a first look is 100% necessary for things to run smoothly on your wedding day. But, that’s not at all the case because it’s YOUR wedding day. However you want to do your first look or your timeline is completely up to you as a couple! If you want to do a private first look before the ceremony, it will be so special. Iff you want to do an aisle first look, then that will be so special, too! The first look between you and your soon-to-be spouse is a once in a lifetime moment, and it should be however you want it to be! 

Don’t Forget!

However you choose to do your wedding timeline is completely up to you! There is no right or wrong way to how you want your timeline to be laid out! I love helping couples come up with their own timeline and making sure that they are able to be the most present on their day! No matter how you want your timeline to be laid out for your day is completely up to you and I am here to help! I can’t wait to start planning your special day with you! 

Looking for some examples on how your pictures could look? Click here to see some more galleries and first looks or contact me for more questions!