Should You Do a First Look? 7 Reasons to Consider This Wedding Day Moment
Should You Do a First Look? 7 Reasons to Consider This Wedding Day Moment
Among the myriad of wedding day traditions, first looks have become a topic of discussion for just about every wedding. According to a study by The Knot, nearly half of all couples who wed decide to go with a first look. In our experience with our couples, the numbers are actually much higher—closer to 75-80% of our couples are choosing first looks.
As your wedding day approaches, you're probably wondering whether you want first look wedding photos—or whether you want to wait until you walk down the aisle for your big reveal.
Although we love the first look and feel like the benefits greatly outweigh the negatives, we always encourage our couples to do whatever they want to do. Because at the end of the day, it's their wedding, and what they prefer matters the absolute most!
Below are 7 elements to consider when debating whether or not the first look is beneficial for your celebration.
What Is a First Look?
The first look is when a couple sees each other before the ceremony for the first time on their wedding day. This intimate moment typically makes for an emotional photo opportunity and has become increasingly popular for both logistical and emotional reasons.
What it looks like in practice:
Usually scheduled 2-3 hours before your ceremony
Takes place in a private, beautiful location
Your photographer positions you back-to-back or with one partner's eyes covered
The reveal happens naturally, allowing for authentic reactions
You have 5-10 minutes of private time together before portraits begin
Understanding why video is essential if you're doing a first look helps you appreciate how much emotion happens in these 60 seconds—words you'll forget, reactions you'll miss while living them, and authentic emotion that deserves to be preserved.
1. You Can Finish All Portraits Before the Ceremony
Besides family formals, you can get the majority of bridal party and couple portraits completed before the ceremony even begins! We need a minimum of 60-90 minutes to accomplish these, so by doing a first look, this eliminates that one-hour wait time for your guests between the ceremony and reception.
The Timeline Advantage
Traditional timeline (no first look):
Ceremony ends at 4:00pm
Cocktail hour: 4:00-5:00pm (you're doing ALL portraits during this time)
Rushed portraits while guests wait
You miss cocktail hour entirely
Limited locations due to time constraints
First look timeline:
First look at 2:00pm
Couple + bridal party portraits: 2:00-3:30pm
Ceremony at 4:00pm
Cocktail hour: 4:00-5:00pm (you ENJOY it with your guests)
Quick family formals during cocktail hour
Sunset portraits during reception
Additional Benefits
Your hair and makeup are still fresh and camera-ready: Morning styling looks its absolute best in your pre-ceremony portraits, before wind, tears, or the day's activities affect it.
Family formals work better after the ceremony: It's normally more difficult to have all family members show up early, so keeping these groupings for after the ceremony when everyone is already gathered makes logistical sense.
For couples concerned about timeline efficiency, our guide on collaborating with your photographer for elevated results explains how proper planning ensures smooth portrait sessions.
2. You Can Utilize Golden Hour for Yourselves
We always try to schedule 20-30 minutes during cocktail hour or early reception for additional couple portraits at sunset. This is when the light looks absolutely swoon-worthy!
Why Sunset Light Matters
Everyone knows how important sunset/magic hour lighting is to photos. On your wedding day, we should utilize the best and most romantic light of the day to create the best photos for the couple, rather than using it for bridal party photos or family photos.
If you don't do a first look:
The 1 hour of bridal party and couple portraits must happen during cocktail hour
This eats into the only golden hour window of your day
You're rushed and stressed rather than enjoying the moment
Limited time means limited variety in your portraits
If you do a first look:
Bridal party portraits are done pre-ceremony (in good light, but not the best)
Golden hour is reserved exclusively for romantic couple portraits
You're relaxed because the bulk of portraits are complete
Sunset portraits become a peaceful pause in your celebration
Our complete guide on the best time for wedding photos explains exactly why this matters and how to plan your timeline around natural light.
3. It Extends Your Day and Reduces Stress
Speaking of cocktail hour, instead of trying to cram all portraits and family formals into a 1-hour cocktail window, you can give yourself a more relaxed timeline. This is much less stressful for yourself and your entire bridal party!
The Stress Reduction Factor
Without a first look:
Racing against cocktail hour timeline
Pressure to get through shots quickly
Bridal party getting antsy or tired
You miss cocktail hour (and appetizers you paid for!)
Guests wonder where you are
Rushed feeling carries into reception
With a first look:
Relaxed, unhurried portrait session
Time to visit multiple locations if desired
Bridal party enjoys the process rather than feeling rushed
You participate in cocktail hour
Calmer transition into ceremony and reception
Impact on Your Bridal Party
Your bridesmaids and groomsmen will thank you. Instead of standing in the sun for an hour after the ceremony while tired and hungry, they get portraits done earlier when everyone is fresh and energetic—then they actually get to enjoy cocktail hour.
Understanding how to pose naturally for wedding photos becomes easier when you're not rushed, allowing for more authentic and relaxed portraits.
4. You'll Receive More Variety in Your Final Gallery
If you have a first look, this gives us a LOT more freedom to go to several spots, either on location or off! If you have an alternate location you'd really love portraits at, or want to travel to a few different locations nearby, a first look allows us to do so.
The Numbers Don't Lie
Portfolio variety increase: Couples who do a first look typically receive 30-40% more couple portraits in their gallery compared to couples who don't.
Why the increase:
More time = more locations
Multiple lighting conditions (pre-ceremony light + golden hour)
Relaxed pacing allows for variety in posing and composition
Opportunity for both documentary candids and editorial compositions
Location Flexibility
Examples of what becomes possible:
Start at your venue's most iconic location
Drive 5-10 minutes to a nearby scenic spot
Return to your venue for golden hour portraits in different areas
Capture variety: garden shots, architectural details, natural landscapes
Without a first look: You're limited to what's immediately accessible during the brief cocktail hour window—usually just one or two spots at your venue.
For couples planning their engagement sessions, this same principle applies—read our guide on preparing for your engagement session to understand how location variety enhances your gallery.
5. You Can React and Talk to Each Other More Authentically
Although your partner will be emotional when they see you walk down the aisle, they'll still need to keep themselves relatively composed. They won't be able to grab hold of you, hug you tight, or express excitement about how beautiful you look. They have to wait 30 minutes or more before they have the chance to do so, and by then, the initial first reaction has worn off!
The Privacy Factor
What happens during a first look:
Genuine, unfiltered reactions
Freedom to cry without worrying about guests watching
Ability to hug, kiss, and physically express emotion
Private words exchanged that are just between you two
Time to compose yourselves before the ceremony
What's different during the ceremony: Most people rarely show all their emotions in front of every guest at your wedding. The ceremony setting—formal, public, with all eyes watching—naturally creates some restraint.
Doing a first look gives you privacy and permission to react authentically. It lets you show excitement freely without the performance pressure of being on display.
Capturing Authentic Emotion
This is why video is a must if you're doing a first look—the words you say to each other in this private moment, the genuine reactions, and the raw emotion deserve to be preserved beyond still photos.
For couples who feel camera-shy, our guide on making awkward couples look natural explains how private first look moments often produce the most authentic images because there's no audience to perform for.
6. It's Probably Your Only Time Alone Together All Day
First looks allow you to actually be TOGETHER on your wedding day. It is often the only time to be ALONE the whole day!
The Reality of Wedding Day Timing
From morning until late night, you're surrounded by:
Getting ready: Wedding party and family
Ceremony: All your guests watching
Cocktail hour: Greeting guests and family
Reception: Table visits, toasts, dances, celebration
Send-off: Everyone gathered for your exit
For the majority of the day, you're surrounded by loved ones who want to share this day with you (which is beautiful and great), but the whole day can easily be focused on everyone else.
Why This Moment Matters
The first look provides:
5-10 minutes of just the two of you
A chance to connect before the whirlwind begins
Time to exchange private words
A moment to breathe and be present with each other
The emotional foundation for romantic couple portraits
This time allows you to really connect with each other alone and still be in the mood for those beautiful, romantic photos you'll want to hang all over your home. When you've just shared your first look, you're READY to love on each other, and we always capture incredibly sweet photos and videos with raw emotion during those moments.
7. It Diminishes Pre-Ceremony Nerves
We hear from so many couples how most of their nerves went away after they saw each other! It helps you feel more relaxed and makes the ceremony more enjoyable.
The Psychological Benefit
Why nerves decrease after a first look:
The anticipation and unknown are over
You've already seen each other and shared that moment
You know your partner is there and you're doing this together
The biggest "what if" has already happened
Impact on your ceremony experience: Plus, you'll probably actually remember your ceremony better because you weren't so nervous. The whole thing would otherwise be a blank blur of anxiety!
You Still Get Ceremony Emotions
Common concern: "Won't seeing each other before ruin the ceremony entrance?"
The reality: Even if you see each other before the ceremony, there is a completely different set of emotions you'll experience as you walk down the aisle and see your partner at the altar.
What makes the ceremony entrance unique:
All the anticipation and planning comes down to this moment
A swell of emotions takes over as you commit publicly
Your guests' reactions and energy
The formality and significance of the moment
Exchanging vows in front of everyone you love
Doing a first look with your partner won't take anything away from this moment. We promise! Actually, it gives you more moments and more experiences on the wedding day, all different and unique in their own way.
When a First Look Might Not Make Sense
While we love first looks, they're not right for every couple. Here's when you might skip it:
Traditional or Religious Preferences
If tradition is very important to you:
Cultural or religious customs that prioritize the aisle reveal
Strong personal belief in waiting until the ceremony
Family expectations that matter to you
Timing Constraints
If your venue or timeline doesn't allow it:
Very tight wedding day schedule
Venue access restrictions (can't arrive early)
Getting ready locations far from ceremony venue
Personal Preference
If you genuinely prefer the traditional approach:
You want the aisle walk to be the absolute first reveal
The anticipation of waiting feels more meaningful to you
You're not concerned about portrait timeline constraints
And that's completely okay. Your wedding should reflect what feels right for you, not what's trendy or what we recommend.
How to Decide What's Right for You
Questions to Ask Yourselves
How important is timeline flexibility for portraits?
Do we want private time together before the ceremony?
Are we anxious about being nervous during the ceremony?
Do we want to enjoy cocktail hour with our guests?
How much variety do we want in our couple portraits?
Is tradition more important than logistics?
How do we feel about emotional moments in front of everyone vs. privately?
Consider Your Priorities
Choose a first look if you value:
Relaxed, unhurried portrait sessions
More variety in your photo gallery
Private emotional moments
Participating in cocktail hour
Utilizing golden hour light for couple portraits
Reducing pre-ceremony nerves
Skip the first look if you value:
Traditional ceremony entrance reveal
The anticipation of waiting all day
Simplicity (fewer scheduled moments)
Cultural or religious customs
Planning Your First Look: Practical Considerations
Timing
Ideal schedule:
Schedule 2-3 hours before ceremony start time
Allow 45-60 minutes for portraits after the first look
Build in buffer time for traffic or delays
Coordinate with hair and makeup completion
Location Selection
What makes a great first look location:
Private (away from guests and vendors)
Beautiful background (but not the same as ceremony)
Good natural light
Easy access for photography team
Meaningful to you (if possible)
For venue-specific recommendations, read our Orange County wedding photography venue guide which details best first look locations at popular venues.
Who Should Be Present
Typically just:
You two
Your photographer(s)
Your videographer (if you have one)
Not present:
Wedding party (they'll see you right after)
Family (save reactions for later)
Guests or vendors
The intimacy is what makes it special. Having a second photographer ensures one can capture your reaction while the other captures your partner's—preserving both perspectives of this meaningful moment.
What Happens During a First Look
Understanding the flow helps you feel prepared and comfortable.
The Setup (5 minutes)
Your photographer will:
Position you in the chosen location
Arrange you back-to-back or have one partner close their eyes
Explain what will happen
Get into position to capture the reveal
The Reveal (2-3 minutes)
The moment unfolds:
Your partner "taps you on the shoulder" or "you can look now"
You turn around and see each other
Natural reactions happen (tears, laughter, hugs, kisses)
Private words are exchanged
We capture it all from multiple angles
Private Time (5-10 minutes)
What happens next:
A few minutes alone together
Your photographer steps back (but keeps shooting)
Candid moments, embraces, conversation
The transition from emotion to readiness for portraits
Some couples elect to exchange personal vows during their first look.
Portraits Begin (45-60 minutes)
Then we move into:
Couple portraits in various locations
Bridal party joins for group shots
Creative compositions and variety
Relaxed pacing without time pressure
We Hope This Helped You Decide
In the end, we always want our couples to choose what fits best for them—because it's their wedding day, and it should be exactly how they envision it!
Our Perspective After 300+ Weddings
What we've observed:
75-80% of couples choose first looks
Nearly all report being glad they did
The ceremony entrance is still deeply emotional
Couples appreciate the private moment together
Portrait galleries are significantly more varied
Timeline stress is noticeably reduced
But we also love photographing traditional reveals: When couples choose to wait, we ensure their ceremony entrance and post-ceremony portraits are absolutely stunning. There's no "right" choice—just the choice that's right for you.
Related Resources to Help You Decide
Learn more about wedding day planning:
Why video is a must if you're doing a first look - Understand how much emotion happens in 60 seconds
The best time for wedding photos - How natural light affects your portraits
What to do with your hands in wedding photos - Feel more comfortable during portraits
5 must-have wedding day photos - Essential moments to capture
How to prepare for your engagement session - Practice for wedding day portraits
Understand our approach:
Documentary + editorial wedding photography - Our style explained
How we make camera-shy couples look natural - If you're worried about feeling awkward
Orange County wedding photography pricing - Investment and packages
Ready to Discuss Your Wedding Day Timeline?
Whether you're leaning toward a first look or planning a traditional ceremony reveal, we'll work with your preferences to create a timeline that ensures beautiful portraits without stress.
Let's talk about your vision:
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