5 First Look Pros & Example Photos

What is a First Look, Anyway?

You have probably envisioned that first moment of seeing each other on your wedding day…at the end of the aisle with all your guests watching!

It’s customary and we can appreciate a good tradition, but what if there’s a new tradition in town? One that eases the nerves, slows down the day, and gives you time to enjoy that cocktail hour you pre-paid for! Cue the first look!

Imagine having that first glimpse all to yourself. A moment of time on your busy wedding day in which you can hug each other, take a breather and actually talk! You might even be able to sneak in a kiss or two.

This may surprise you but a first look will likely be the only alone time you spend together the entire day. A first look is a term we use to describe the first time the bride and groom see each other on their wedding day before their ceremony. It has become increasingly popular and for good reason!

While there are certainly couples who choose to stick with tradition and see each other for the first time during the ceremony, more and more people are going with a first look, allowing them to spend more time together on their big day. Here’s what we’ve noticed when our couples choose to do a first look…

First Look Pro #1: Alone Time

Although your wedding day is technically all about you and your future spouse, you sure don’t get to spend a ton of one-on-one time with each other! If you choose to do a first look, there is time carved out in your day where you get to just take each other in, talk, laugh, and soak up the magic that is your wedding day.

So many of our past SFP couples end up saying that the first look was their favorite part of their day because they got to spend some quiet time together. Plus, when you see your best friend for the first time on your wedding day, that moment is filled with oh so many feelings and we are able to capture some incredible emotions between the two of you. You get to hug, kiss, and TALK! There isn’t much time for that at the end of the aisle.

First Look Pro #2 Your nerves will melt away

We spend a lot of time with our couples on their wedding day. When we first arrive, the bride and groom are usually filled to the brim with nerves and anxiety as they get ready.

If you choose to do a first look, you get to see the love of your life before you say your vows in front of your friends and family. You get to see the person who calms your nerves and knows exactly what to say to make your anxiety disappear.

It’s an incredible thing for us to watch the stress and nerves be replaced with tears of joy, huge smiles, and relaxed laughter as you see each other for the first time. Then you get to simply enjoy the rest of your wedding day together.

Fun fact: The tradition of not seeing the bride until she walks down the aisle comes from the days of arranged marriages. It was used as a way to make sure the groom couldn’t back out when he saw his bride! I know, we were shocked when we found that out too!

First Look Pro #3: The day slows down and portraits won’t feel rushed

We have found that when a bride and groom see each other prior to their ceremony it creates a more relaxed day because everything is less rushed. A portion of our job is to slow down your day and create authentic interaction between the two of you. By seeing each other prior to the ceremony, you can get all your wedding party and couple portraits done ahead of time, freeing up a ton of time after the ceremony. You can then enjoy family photos, time with your guests and maybe a cocktail…or three.

First Look Pro #4: Plan B in case of afternoon rain

Although it’s said that rain on your wedding day is good luck, it can also cause unnecessary stress and big question marks. If you choose to do a first look and get all of your couple portraits done before you even say “I do,” it gives us much more flexibility later on in the day if Mother Nature decides to attend your wedding uninvited.

First look pro #5: The aisle moment is still special…yes, they still cry ;-)

We know a lot of couples are worried that if they do a first look, the moment where you see each other coming down the aisle won’t feel as emotional or special, but we have found that to be absolutely NOT true.

You’re seeing each other in a totally new setting surrounded by the people in your life who mean the most to you. We have a huge stash of photos of teary brides and grooms who had done a first look to prove it!

Here’s what one SFP couple had to say about it…

Scott’s favorite moment from their wedding day:

Seeing my now wife for the first time at our first look, and then again walking down the aisle. They were two very different moments, and I’m glad I got to experience both of them. I was able to keep it together at the first look, since it was just the two of us and she’s my best friend so it was comfortable and amazing. But seeing her walk down the aisle toward me with all of our loved ones watching, I couldn’t believe how lucky I was. I’m not a crier, but that got me. I’m so glad I had both moments, they mean so much to me in different ways.

His now wife, Morgan, had a similar opinion:

The first look was wonderful and intimate, but there was something about walking toward the man of my dreams with all of our family and friends surrounding us (and a bright blue sky behind them, despite the fear of storms!!) that just made all the stress and exhaustion melt away and I was filled with such love and peace instead. It was a magical moment that I will cherish forever.

Logistics of the First Look

If you’re considering doing a first look on your wedding day, there are a couple of logistical things to keep in mind to make sure your day flows as smoothly as possible. An extra hour of time needs to be factored into the first portion of the day so we have time to get all of your getting ready shots as well as your first look. You may want to have your photographers arrive earlier and depart before the very end of the reception, or you can always add extra time to your photography package! It also means that hair and makeup needs to be finished earlier in the day so there’s plenty of time before the ceremony. We always create custom timelines for our couples that they can share with their other vendors so we can all be on the same schedule page. Wedding days are a team effort!

First Touch…the other option!

Many of our couples are super excited about the idea of having a quiet moment alone with their soon-to-be spouse, but really want to save seeing each other for that walk down the aisle. That’s totally okay! There’s another option! Enter the FIRST TOUCH, the first look’s cousin! You still get the alone time. You still get the emotional support from your favorite person on what can be a prettyyyy crazy day. You still can exchange gifts or letters, say a prayer together, or even take a shot of tequila! But you get to save that first moment of seeing each other for the ceremony. It’s another excellent option!

At the end of the day we want you to have the best experience possible and that means choosing what’s best for you. We can absolutely rock the shots either way, but what kind of photogs would we be if we didn’t give you the low down?! It’s clear to see we are big fans because there aren’t many, if any, cons!

Are youleaning towards a first look or keeping it traditional?! Let us know in the comments below!