If you are on the fence about a first look, here are some pros and cons of a first look addition to your timeline. There are a host of wedding day traditions and trends. But the first look, is one that has become a tradition in some families. According to The Knot 2023 Real Weddings Study, 56% of all couples who wed last year decided to go with a first look on the wedding day.
Some of you might know exactly whether you want a first look or not. But for those of you still deciding, here is a pro-con list can help you. The only answer is the one that works for you and your partner. But the below list can help you think of some factors that may or may not influence your decision.
What is a First Look?
It is a beautiful moment when you see your fiance for the first time. The timing of the first look and the location are planned ahead of time. It’s captured in video and photographs by your videographer and photographer to document the excitement and raw emotion as the couple see each other the day of their wedding for the first time. A first look is a new and modern tradition for weddings.
Reasons Not to Do a First Look
It breaks tradition.
The dramatic effect of a big reveal at the altar, is a beautiful moment embedded in traditional weddings for a reason. Delaying the first moment you see each other builds suspense and adds raw emotion to your ceremony. During the alter reveal, you are surrounded by family and friends and in that moment, the emotion touches everyone in the room.
The Feeling of Pressure.
Sometimes couples feel pressure to have candid emotions during a first look. But there is no right or wrong way to react. The first time you see your spouse is so special, there is no reason to make this awkward-feeling. Only do a first look if this is something the two of you want and make that decision together.
A first touch is also an option. This is when the couple wants to have a moment together, without seeing each other. The planner or photographer can find a location and put this into your timeline for you. It can calm your nerves and give you the best of both worlds.
If you and your spouse do a first look, that means you will also be doing the majority of your photos with your wedding party and possibly your family, prior to the ceremony. In turn, that means an earlier wedding day start time. This is at least a couple of hours earlier. That affects your meals times, getting ready start time and further, possibly you may have to build in travel time if you’re not already at the ceremony site.
Starting your day earlier.
Reasons to Do a First Look
Seeing your fiance prior to the ceremony can help jittery nerves on your wedding day. A lot of couples view their partner as their safety blanket. Seeing your partner prior to the ceremony can ease that nervousness in seconds, making the walk down the aisle calmer and more happy than nervous!
Calming your nerves.
Another reason to do the first look in advance, is that it streamlines your wedding timeline for cocktail hour and reception. At this point, your formal wedding portraits and group photos have been completed prior to the ceremony, so you don’t have to worry about holding family members or the wedding party back for photos. Often after the ceremony, family members what to eat (they are famished!), run to the restroom or talk with family members they haven’t seen in years. Trying to grab them away for pictures takes so much longer at this time of the day.
Family and Wedding Party Portraits are done!
A first look or private reveal slows down the day and allows you two to be together virtually alone. This is one of the few times this will happen on your wedding day. This is especially true if you’re having a large wedding or a wedding with multiple locations involved, because once things get underway, the day goes by more quickly than you’d like. It is so important to embrace the stillness and give yourselves time to pause.
Dedicated time with your soul mate.
Along with having those special moments of quiet built-in time with your fiance, another reason to do a first look is that you won’t have to wait until the ceremony to see each other! Getting ready with your wedding party is so fun, and that time is precious too. But waiting until the end of the day to see your fiance can feel like you spent the day alone. With a first look, you see your soulmate way earlier. You get to really spend the day making together, capturing lifetime memories.
You get to see your fiance more throughout your special day together.
The Verdict?
Making the final call on a first look can be a tough decision, which is exactly why I did this blog on the pros and cons of a first look. You may be factoring in the wishes or thoughts of family members. You may be considering your timeline, the daylight hours you will have and your feelings along with your partner’s feelings on the tradition. Keep in mind, you can always change your mind. Even the day of your wedding! A good photographer can revamp and make immediate changes.
For more on your first look, reach out to me here to photograph your special day! Then, I will send you my wedding guide, and work with you on your perfect wedding timeline! Check out my work here.
