When it comes to weddings one of the first questions I ask my couples is “first look or no first look?” Wondering what’s a first look, well a first look is when the couple chooses to see each other for an intimate moment before the ceremony. Usually, if they vote against it, it’s because they want to keep things traditional and save the first time they see each other for when the bride comes down the aisle. However, there’s an advantage to considering to do a first look. I’ll explain by telling you how your wedding day will flow depending on how you decide.

Option A: No First Look

Your day would start with the two of you getting dressed separately and then you would have your wedding ceremony. As women, we all expect our soon-to-be husbands to cry at the sight of us in front of all our loved ones like we see on social media. But your man is either emotional or he’s not, it’s that simple. And I’m sure at this point in your relationship you already know if you have a crier or not. Every groom I’ve shot that cried during their first look also cried as their bride walked down the aisle so it’s going to happen regardless.

After the ceremony, you and/or your wedding planner are going to tell me I have a little less than an hour to get all the photos done. This is when your cocktail hour is happening for your wedding guest. And within this hour (or less) you want me to take photos of the bride and the bridesmaids, the groom and the groomsmen, formal family photos, AND photos of the two of you as official Mr. & Mrs.

While it can be done, and I seem to make it happen every time, it can get a bit hectic. But on top of that, YOU are hungry, all the anticipation of getting married is gone now and you just want to relax and eat. BUT instead…this time is a whirlwind, it’s very fast-paced, I’m working hard to handle all the different personalities of both sides of your family, trying to get the groomsmen to focus and take their photos, and you just don’t have the time to decompress at all so you’re stressed.

Then once we are done, you are pulled into getting lined up to enter your reception and you think “ah, now I can finally rest and eat” but that would be too easy. The thing is that since you were with me immediately following the ceremony your wedding guest haven’t seen you and now everybody wants to come up to you and tell you how beautiful you are and to congratulate you and do all the things. Then as you are chatting it up with your guest you hear the DJ say it’s time for the dances, you cut the cake, and before you know it’s time to start dancing and you STILL haven’t sat down, and eaten. It’s like your whole wedding day just flashed before your eyes.

That’s what happened to me at my wedding…that was option A. Now let’s get into option B….

Option B: First Look

We start our day at least 2 hours prior to your ceremony time. I set your groom outside in a quiet intimate location and I have you tap him on the shoulder. As he turns around I’m there like a fly on the wall capturing this moment candidly just letting you two be fully present in seeing each other for the first time on your wedding day. This is a very intimate moment, usually, it’s just the three of us unless you have any other guests that tag along. After that moment we have 30 minutes to move around and just have a photo session with just the two of you. These are going to be the photos that you will have hanging up in your home one day or that you will look at over and over again within your wedding album.

After our 30 mins are up your wedding party will meet us and we will get all of your wedding party photos out of the way. This is when we get the bride and the bridesmaids, the groom, and the groomsmen, and the full wedding party photos. And the best part is we aren’t being rushed to do it.

If you want you are even able to have your intermediate family come an hour prior to the ceremony to get the formal family photos done as well. But you can always wait until right after the ceremony as well because it will only take 20 mins max to do.

Then you have time to chill before lining up for the ceremony. This is when you can put your veil on and have any makeup touchups if needed.

You then have the ceremony and you actually get to ATTEND your cocktail hour and enjoy the appetizers and drinks that you paid for and this is where all your guests will get to congratulate you two (this sounds beautiful huh).

Then once it’s time for the reception you have your time alone to just sit and enjoy the moment and EAT in peace and the day just flows peacefully and you get to ENJOY your wedding. Overall choosing to do a first look results in a less stressful day.

So what route will you go? First Look or no first look??