The Pros and cons of doing a first look on your wedding day

Hey! It’s Jules, welcome to the wedding blog!

Planning your wedding day is no small feat. You are coordinating multiple vendors, wedding party attendees, family members and friends. All wanting information, information, information. I know it can be overwhelming, especially when so many have opinions on how and when you should do it. I want to say from the get go that we want you to design the day you want. We want you to have a great time, because that means we get to capture you in your naturally happy and pleasurable state.

Over the past few years first looks have grown increasing popular. If you’re not sure what a first look is, it’s when the couple chooses to “stage” a moment where they see each other for the first time prior to walking down the aisle.

Photographers may try to persuade you into doing a first look on your wedding day. I’ll be honest it’s because we love the time. For us, doing all your photos during your cocktail “hour”, which is never an hour for us, means keeping you from the people you want to hang out with, the food you want to eat, the casual being together before the more formal reception. We see it as a win-win, for you and for us.

Just as there are two sides to every coin, there are instances where I desire not to do a first look, and it’s often in those summer months when the sun is out all day. We’re out hours before the ceremony and sunset and while we can still create beautiful images, I think about your comfort here, and how hot you will be with that sun beating down upon you.

Please know, it’s your decision. If you want to do a first look, we're happy to do one! If you don’t, then we won’t. Your photographer should accommodate your decision.

I can’t tell you what your specific pros and cons might be for doing a first look but I can tell you some reasons why we, as photographers, think they are a grand idea.

1. and this might be my favorite . . . You get to spend MORE time together.

2. You get double the looks, because even though you will have done a first look with just the two of you, now when you walk down the aisle your anticipation will rise with 100  eyes of love upon you. The impact of your village will not go unnoticed. The cheers, the voices, the whispers, all surrounding you.

3. You can photograph your full wedding party and family beforehand and after you say I do and kiss and run off down the aisle you can go for a quick walk and bask in the light while your guests transition to cocktail hour. Your caterer will most likely bring you food, which you won’t be squeezing in between family photo combinations and you’ll get to join into cocktail hour with an unannounced but just as dramatic entrance and be showered with love rather than ushered right to a table or into a dance.

4. You get to spend more time together. I said this already, ooph, but seriously, you get to spend more time together. (I know I craved that on our wedding day, seriously I whispered to Noah when I got down the aisle, “I miss you.” Because the days leading up to that moment had been crazy)

To every side there is another, and what would be the point if I didn’t share with you some cons about a first look. I can probably find a way to fix each one of these, but that’s just because I love to problem solve and turn anything we think might be a negative into something of value, especially on your wedding day.

1. You’ll have to be ready earlier, and so will your family!  (This is why couples often choose do a first look only with each other and photos with their wedding party, saving family formals for after when they know everyone will be there.)

2. You may not get the ideal golden hour light you might have been dreaming of. (But this is why your photographer will most likely suggest you run out together near sunset and capture a few minutes in the golden romance.)

3. It’s not that traditional walking down the aisle moment we’ve all had drilled into our brains of how a wedding day goes. (But you can make it EPIC. Imagine running up to your partner, rather than just walking right to them. Imagine jumping in their arms, rather than a priest separating you at the altar. Imagine the freedom of being able to touch, hug and kiss and squeeze and love them right away, however you want. You wanna shout their name as you approach them, squeal from your heart, go for it. This is the time to make it big and let it be big!!)

I love how weddings have evolved. Couples are getting married in churches, in their backyards, in the mountains, the desert, with mixed traditions, with hundreds or just a few guests. No wedding really looks the same except for the bond of love bringing it all together. Make it yours, make it special, let us help you preserve the memories.

And though I know I said this before, it’s always YOUR decision whether or not you do a first look on your wedding day, whether you invite anyone or everyone. This is one of the first ways you make a statement about who you are as a couple so make it yours!