If you’re wedding planning, a popular question I’m sure you’re being faced with is whether or not you’re doing a first look.

There’s a ton to say about this aspect of a wedding day. I’m sharing some thoughts from both sides, and my professional opinion from years of wedding experience.

Why do a first look?
First looks have burst in popularity for a lot of reasons.  By sharing a first look, you’re able to spend more of your wedding day together rather than hiding out in secluded spaces.
Second, I can’t stress what a huge difference it makes in your timeline.  In my experience, couples who have a first look enjoy an overall more laid back wedding timeline.  We’re able to knock out a whole bunch of important images before their ceremony, and after the “I do’s” they can get straight to the party!
First looks also mean that we’re sneaking in bride and groom portraits at a few different times throughout of the day (first look, after the ceremony, and sneaking out of the reception for 5-10 minutes of golden hour).  These shorter photo sessions keep your energy up, and actually leave you with a greater variety of images together.

Why you might not want a first look 
I didn’t do a first look myself, so I totally get it.
It’s just not for everyone! That down the aisle moment is truly special.   That tradition is beautiful, and if that’s how you’re envisioning your wedding, YOU DO YOU! Your guest will get to experience your joy and excitement as your walk towards your soon-to-be-husband, and witness his sweet expression as he gives his new bride his first glance of the day.

Recently I was thinking about why I chose not to do a first look.  Neither Conor or I are very emotionally expressive people. In my head, first looks were for people who wanted to cry together, and have their emotional greeting captured.   So if you’re like me, you don’t have to have a have a Hollywood worthy greeting to share a first look and enjoy more of your day together!

AEP bride, Abigail: “It was really important to us as a couple to wait for the moment when we were making our commitment before God and our family to reveal ourselves to one another. I really appreciated that you respected that, despite it maybe not being the most efficient solution. That aisle-reveal moment was worth everything to us, probably the most special moment of our day- I regret nothing! No one should feel guilty for their choice, and I hope more vendors can be like you, completely supportive of whatever the bride and groom choose is right for the start of their marriage. We love you, Addie!”

A Photographer’s Perspective 
If you’re on the fence, and you’re here trying to figure out what to do, my professional advice would be to have a first look.  You get to spend more of your day together, and it reduces the photo hustle following the ceremony.

Ultimately there’s no wrong choice! It’s your wedding day, truly do YOU!