The Value of a First Look

Nov 22

A “first look” is a wedding industry term. It’s where we set up the couple to see each other for the first time on wedding day. It’s usually a very special and intimate moment captured by the photographer. It sounds cheesy – and I agree – but hear me out.

We plan the first look to happen before the ceremony at the start of couple portraits. So, let’s say invite time is 6pm (ceremony will begin at 6:30pm because we always recommend welcome drinks which allows time for arrivals beforehand), then we might do the first look and couple portraits at 4pm followed by family/wedding party photos at 5pm. If you have a huge wedding party, a change in location, or religious traditions, we might move up the timeline…but you get the idea.

So many of my clients don’t like the idea of a first look. They want to see their spouse at the aisle for the first time to have that fairytale movie moment. But there’s a big issue with that - TIMING! If we don’t do a first look, then we have to do all portraits and family/wedding party photos during cocktail hour. So ask yourself - what would you rather - a first look or miss your own event?

I always say there are two very special moments in which you and your spouse will be alone on your wedding day –– the first look and right after the ceremony. Yes, the photographer and videographer are there for the first look, but it’s mostly alone. After the ceremony, we always give our couples 5-10 minutes alone before we run into the couples’ suite to bustle the dress. Everything else is a family affair. Those two moments are SO special…they give you time together to reflect on everything going on around you and to take a breath. So, we encourage a first look to give you that moment of intimacy on your wedding day.

Take a look at some of our amazing couple’s first look photos!