3 Reasons to do a First Look on your wedding day // Emma Lee Photography

What is a First Look?

Whenever I meet with a couple, I always ask them if they are planning on having a First Look. Most of the time I am answered with scrunched up eyebrows, quick glances to one another, and “We aren’t sure. We haven’t really thought about it.” Because it’s not often talked about, I wanted to take a moment and explain what a first look is! And why you should consider having one on your wedding day.

A first look is a moment the bride and groom see each other on their wedding day before their ceremony. It takes place in a private setting with just the bride and groom, rather than during their ceremony when the bride walks down the aisle.

So what’s the big deal you ask? Well, here are 3 Reasons to do a First Look on your wedding day and why you should consider one.

The Timeline

I must admit, part of why I love a first look is that it makes the wedding timeline so much easier note only for the couple but for photography. Because the bride and groom are seeing each other before the ceremony, we can schedule all the formal shots (the couple, family, and wedding party photos) before the ceremony as well. That means we don’t have to squeeze all of these photos in between the ceremony and reception. This helps if you are wanting a sunset ceremony, because if you want a later ceremony without a first look, there won’t be any light left to make beautiful photos. It gives us much more time for photography, and it relieves the stress of crunching it all into a short amount of time. Which brings me to my next point….

The Stress

If a couple doesn’t have a first look, they must schedule the formal photos in between the ceremony and reception. While they are doing this, the guests are usually away at cocktail hour. In my experience, I have found that when this happens the couple is more worried about their guests than being in the moment.

“What’s everyone doing? Are they having fun?” “Do they have enough hors d’oeuvres?” “Make sure the wedding planner knows where the gifts should go” “Oh! There’s my old college roomie. She looks so good!” etc., etc. Not to mention that it is incredibly hard to break away from Aunt Barb and the rest of the gang after the ceremony to go take photos. Wouldn’t it be so much easier if you could go straight into party mode after the ceremony instead of having to focus on your photos? You spent money on that cocktail hour – you should be able to go enjoy it!

The Privacy

I think one of the most stressful parts of your wedding day is having all eyes on you. Of course it feels amazing to be surrounded by your friends and loved ones, but it can be overwhelming when everyone wants to have a moment with you. I don’t know about you, but I get a little nervous when I’m the center of attention.

Which is why the idea of a first look personally appeals to me. There are going to be so many emotions and thoughts running through your head when you see your other half for the first time on your wedding day. Would you rather have an intimate moment with the two of you where you can get all the jitters out and have a moment alone, or would you rather have the moment where you see one another for the first time when you are walking down the aisle and 100 of your close friends and family are watching you? I don’t know about you, but I would rather have the chance to have a more intimate moment myself.

Ok, your 3 Reasons to do a First Look on your wedding day was great, but What if I don’t Want to do A First Look still?

No problem! I encourage you to do whatever you want on your wedding day. So if you forgo the first look, just plan on allowing plenty of time in between the ceremony and reception to get all your formal shots done (plan AT LEAST for one hour). Set a ceremony time that allows you to still have enough sunlight to take beautiful pictures before your reception. And last, but not least, no matter what you choose, enjoy the day and stay in the moment!

3 Reasons to do a First Look on your wedding day

Want to see more Wedding blogs? Check out this post on this gorgeous Temecula Wedding by clicking HERE.