This is one of the first questions I ask my couples when we start planning their wedding day timeline. For many couples, this is the first time they have thought about it, and they often don’t know how to go about answering it.

Before we get too far into this post, let’s make sure we are all on the same page with what a first look is. A first look is an opportunity for a couple to see each other before their ceremony, as opposed to the alternative, where a couple doesn’t see each other until the ceremony. Doing a first look is a more modern take on weddings, where waiting is considered the more traditional route.

To help make the decision of whether to have a first look or not, I have put together a few important things to consider.

PRO - First Look – More time with guests

One of the biggest benefits of having a first look is that a couple has more time with their guests on their wedding day. With weddings trending towards smaller, more intimate affairs, spending time with those few people who are there to cheer you on is becoming more and more important for couples - especially if you have guests that have travelled from far away to be at your wedding. When a couple has their first look before their ceremony, we can take care of the majority of the photos before the ceremony. This in turn helps keep the flow of the wedding naturally progressing from ceremony, to cocktail hour, to reception, without the bride and groom needing to miss out on any time with their guests.

PRO - Waiting to See Each Other – WOW factor

One thing I love about couples waiting to see each other until the ceremony is the anticipation. There is a different level of excitement that happens when a couple waits to see each other until the ceremony. Waiting means that the bridal reveal is a big surprise for everyone, including the groom. Think bigger “wow” factor! This option makes for some of my personal favorite photos to take during a wedding.

PRO - First Look – More intimacy for Bride and Groom

Surprisingly, one of the things that can get put to the wayside on a wedding day is intimacy between the bride and groom. By having a first look, couples will be able to have a few moments - just the two of them - to focus on each other, and have some private moments (with their, eh hem, awesome photographer). This is one of the most common things past brides and grooms say that they loved about doing a first look before the wedding.

PRO - Waiting to See Each Other – Tradition

For some couples, sticking to tradition is really important to them. I love it when couples make decisions based on what’s important to them, versus what they think they HAVE to do. This might seem like a silly thing to hold on to tradition for, but it really means a lot to some couples.

Alright, so we have talked through some really solid reasons for first look versus not, so let’s talk about some myths surrounding these two options.

Myth #1 – It won’t be as special if we do a first look

One of the main hesitations I get when a couple decides to do a first look is that when a groom sees his bride walking down the aisle, it won’t feel or be as special. Let me tell you, in my years of experience photographing weddings, this is the furthest thing from the truth. I promise you, there will still be just as many emotions.

Myth #2 – Waiting to see each other will turn into a logistical nightmare

If a couple decides to wait to see each other, something to keep in mind is that you need to work around actually not seeing each other. If you are getting ready in the same location, it becomes like a high stakes mission moving the bride from one place to another, while making sure the groom doesn’t see her. However, it can be done! Waiting to see each other until the ceremony will make for some more logistical challenges for sure, but nothing that some careful planning won’t overcome.

Final thoughts

At the end of the day, I want my couples to make the decision that is the best for them. My job is to support your decisions for your day and take amazing photos along the way. I have photographed so many weddings, with and without first looks, and I can tell you that all of them were full of the same amounts of emotions and feelings and incredible photos. There is truly no wrong way to schedule your wedding day. The only wrong decision you can make is the one that doesn’t feel right for you and your fiancé. Happy wedding planning!

Should you have a first look? / Montana Wedding Photographer