Should You Do a First Look? Here’s My Honest Take

Your wedding day is exciting, emotional, and a lot all at once. That’s why I often suggest considering a first look. Not because it’s trendy or because there’s a “right” way to do things, but because it gives you a quiet moment together before the day really takes off.

A first look is exactly what it sounds like. You see each other before the ceremony, away from guests and distractions, and take a few minutes to just be together. No audience, no pressure. It’s often one of the only moments all day where things slow down.

I completely understand why some couples want to wait until the aisle. That moment can be incredibly emotional, and if that’s something you’ve always envisioned, that matters. The only thing I see sometimes is how fast that moment goes by. Standing in front of everyone, it’s easy to feel distracted or pulled in a dozen directions at once.

With a first look, there’s space for the emotions to really land. You can react however you need to. Laugh, cry, hug, breathe. It doesn’t feel rushed, and there’s no sense of needing to “perform” the moment for anyone else.

From a practical standpoint, first looks also help the timeline flow more smoothly. We can take care of couple portraits and a lot of group photos before the ceremony, which means you get to enjoy more of cocktail hour and actually spend time with your guests instead of disappearing for photos.

All of that said, this is never something I push. I love first looks, but I also love ceremonies where the first time you see each other is walking down the aisle. Both can be beautiful. The best choice is the one that feels most aligned with you. My role is to support that and make sure your day feels as calm, meaningful, and true to you as possible, no matter which route you take.