Having a first look with your significant other on the wedding day, why or why not?

Deciding whether to have a first look with your significant other on your wedding day is a personal choice and will depend on your preferences as a couple. There are several factors to consider when making this decision:

1. Emotional connection: A first look can provide an intimate and private moment for you and your partner to share before the ceremony. It allows you to express your emotions, excitement, and love for each other without distractions.
2. Nerves and anxiety: Seeing each other before the ceremony can help alleviate nerves and anxiety. It can be a comforting and grounding experience, knowing that you have each other’s support before walking down the aisle.
3. Time and logistics: Having a first look can save time in the wedding timeline. By doing so, you can take some of the formal couple portraits and wedding party photos before the ceremony, leaving more time to celebrate with family and friends afterward.
4. Photography and video opportunities: A first look can provide unique photo opportunities that capture genuine reactions and emotions. Your vendors can capture candid moments during the reveal, resulting in beautiful and emotional images.
5. Private reading of your vows or letters: Many couples use this time to share special things they have written to their significant other. Intimate vows that won’t be shared at the ceremony, a personal letter to your spouse about your journey up until this point, and what you are looking forward to as a married couple.
6. Tradition and cultural considerations: Some couples may prefer to adhere to traditional customs where the groom sees the bride for the first time as she walks down the aisle. Others may have cultural or religious reasons for choosing one option over the other.
7. Privacy and intimacy: For some couples, the idea of sharing the first moment they see each other in private, away from the crowd, holds great significance. It allows them to have a special moment together without distractions.

Ultimately, there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to having a first look with your significant other on your wedding day. It’s essential to choose an option that feels meaningful and authentic to both of you as a couple. Communicate openly with your partner and make a decision that aligns with your shared values and desires for your special day.

See an example here in our film that had a first look before the ceremony and then the first look at the ceremony. If you notice the groom, he was just as emotional, if not more emotional at the ceremony first look. The couple had time to see each other, experience the intimacy of their first first look and then had the flexibility to do the couple portraits and wedding party portraits before the ceremony allowing them to have a more efficient timeline.