Wedding Day First Look — pros, cons and where to have it

What are the benefits of having a first look? Why would you not have one? What are other options?

A first look has been one of the fastest rising wedding trends in the past decade or so. In 2022, about half of the weddings I shot had a first look and about 10 percent had an alternative option. Let’s look at some of the reasons why a first look has become so popular and discuss some of the pros and cons of having one at your wedding. One thing before we jump into it. Formal photos is an umbrella term for all the set-up portraits shot on a wedding day. That doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be stiff and formal. That’s not my thing.

Also! Not really interested in doing a first look but still want a moment before the ceremony? Check out my top 9 first look alternatives.

What is a first look?

Traditionally, couples saw each other for the first time on their wedding day during the walk down the aisle. A first look is a moment and a photo opportunity before the wedding ceremony when the couple sees each other for the first time. This usually happens about an hour or an hour and a half before the ceremony. It is often followed by a quick wedding portrait session along with formal group shots with the wedding party and family, with these moments often shared on social media.

Why is it so popular now?

We don’t have to go back more than 20 years to be in an era where most weddings were shot on film. Film photography is a slower process than digital because a roll of film only has 36 frames and then you have to reload. Wedding photographers also only shot between 10 and 15 rolls in a day because the film it sells and developing were and are expensive. Because they were working with a finite amount of pictures, photographers had to be more selective and rigid in the way they captured weddings. It made sense to take all the Wedding Portraits, wedding party photos, and family pictures after the ceremony to take advantage of similar lighting and not waste film. A memory card costs about the same as a roll of film, and can take thousands of pictures every single day. This opened up a world of spontaneity, candid wedding, photography, and experimentation, which then led to more experimentation with wedding day timelines and first looks were born.

What are the pros?

The biggest benefit of having a first look is that it spreads out the formal photo events during the day and uncle Bob won’t complain about having to wait 20 minutes to be in the extended family shot! Most couples say that having a first look eased their nerves and allowed them a rare moment for just them two.

A first look has a cinematic storytelling element, it is set up and candid at the same time — which is perfect if you want a wedding gallery with a narrative theme.

If you are having a cocktail hour and want time with your guests a first look is an ideal option. Traditionally, is reserved for formal photos.

Last noteworthy pro relates to winter weddings. When sunset is around 5 PM and your ceremony is in the afternoon — a first look guarantees that you will have wedding photos in natural light.

So, what are the cons?

It is a break from tradition. If you have super traditional people in your inner circle that might say a thing or two if you have a first look — it is totally valid to not have one if you don’t feel strongly about to begin with anyway. Why have a headache over something that isn’t a huge deal? That’s also why we have alternatives (more on them later.)

You worry the walk down the aisle won’t feel as good or authentic. This is not the case in my experience but a valid reason not to have one nonetheless.

You will have to wake up and get ready earlier. With a first look — hair, makeup, and your outfit should be ready at least 90 minutes before the ceremony. That means waking up and getting ready at least 2 hours earlier, to allow some buffer time. If you’re doing a morning or noon ceremony, or if you just aren’t a morning person — you can see how this might be a problem.

Stuff can get dirty. You could cry and need time for hair and makeup touch-ups. Your outfit and/or shoes could also catch some dirt. Not a huge deal but worth mentioning. This is why a first look should ideally happen 90 minutes before the ceremony.

What are the best places for a first look?

Here’s a pro tip! Pick a spot that’s secluded enough for you two to have a moment but allows your besties to watch and swoon from a distance. Trust me, it makes for amazing pictures. Walkways are great too, as they allow your photographer to capture the lead-up, preferably over your partner’s shoulder or right past them.

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