Reasons to Do a Modern First Look from a Wedding Photographer

A modern first look is becoming more and more popular every year, and there’s quite a few reasons why! You may have been dreaming of the moment the doors open as you walk down the aisle for your entire life — or you may not really have thought about this at all. Either is perfectly fine, but here are some of my reasons as wedding photographer why I encourage everyone to at least think about doing a first look:

– It’s a great way to have more private time with your soon-to-be spouse. Without a first look, you won’t see them until the ceremony, and then the next two hours are filled with family photos, wedding party photos and more, leaving almost no time for the two of you to actually get to enjoy the day together until the reception. With a first look, you’ll get to enjoy the morning together with your entire wedding party, something that normally wouldn’t happen until hours later.

– It can be done at any time of day, and gives you much more flexibility for photo time. With a first look, you can get all of the formal photos done prior to the ceremony, then actually get to enjoy your cocktail hour with friends and family. This also usually enables us to have more portrait time instead of rushing through portraits after the ceremony, family photos, and wedding party photos.

– You get to enjoy the surprise freely and privately. Most people don’t realize that when you come down the aisle and totally SHOCK your partner with your gorgeous-ness… they can’t even tell you how amazing you look. They can’t touch you, embrace you or even SPEAK to you. You have to wait until 30+ minutes later when the ceremony is over and that reaction just isn’t the same as the initial first glance.

– You get rid of your nerves! I’d say, literally 1/2 of my couples who have decided to do a first look, they were not fans of it at first, but afterwards they admitted to being SO much more chill and ready for the ceremony. The intimate nature of doing a private first look allows for a much more relaxed, genuine, reaction and special moment between the two of you without the pressure of everyone you know watching.

It can feel like a big decision to decide whether or not you should do a first look. Not sure which one is right for you? Send me an email, and I’m happy to chat through what it would look like for your day!