Choosing whether you want to have a first look or not can be a tricky question. As you’re planning your wedding you may have your wedding planner or wedding photographer ask you along the process if you want to see one another before the ceremony. It’s definitely a great idea to have a private conversation with your fiance to make a final decision, however here’s a few thoughts on both sides to help you decide.
A first look takes place approximately 1.5-2 hours before the ceremony. Your photographer will typically coordinate where to have your first look. The second photographer will definitely help to bring your fiance in place and capture a second view point. The first look is a very intimate way to see one another before your ceremony and wedding day begins! Browse through some of our favorite first looks and traditional ceremony moments!
YES to a First Look:
- Attend your Cocktail Hour: One of the only ways to accomplish all your family portraits and wedding party photos before the ceremony. This allows you to leave your ceremony hand in hand and run straight to enjoying your cocktail hour with your guests! Most couples choose to have a first look, just for that reason.
- More time together: Enjoy more of your wedding day together with your spouse-to-be by having a first look! No hiding in separate rooms, or coordinating who can be outside and when.
- Photo Ready: Makeup, hair, and cloths are all fresh and photo-ready. First looks allow you to capture all your wedding party photos before tears, wind, and wine effects anything.
- Intimate Moment: We have found over the years that a first look is a significantly more intimate and emotional moment for the couple. It allows them to really embrace and be with one another for the first time. Jitters and Nerves are settled and tears flow.
- Unlimited time: Having a first look allows you plenty of time to capture the photographs you want. It also allows your to travel to other locations if you wish! Don’t be constrained by a time line and make your guests wait for you to arrive late to your own party.
- No one is waiting for you: Your wedding party and family will thank you for being able to most likely have few or NO photos left to take and be able to celebrate and mingle in the cocktail hour WITH you both!!
Conquering your family portraits before the ceremony in a beautiful location at the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club while hair and makeup are fresh!
A first look at St Johns College 
An Intimate First Look at a St Johns College wedding in Annapolis vs Walking down the aisle to see your fiance for the first time at Antrim 1844 (right)
NO to a First Look:
- Family Tradition: Often one or both partners have a traditional outlook on seeing their fiance walk down the aisle for the first time. Adrenaline is rushing and the anticipation has built to finally see one another at opposite ends of the aisle.
- Time of Day: If you are getting married earlier in the day and want to wait for the golden hour of light for your wedding party photos and your couple portraits, then it’s a good idea to wait until after the ceremony to capture your formals!
- Start a little later: If you are choosing not to have a first look you can delay your makeup/hair and getting ready. It will give you 1-2 hours extra before the ceremony to sleep in, get ready, celebrate, and get excited!!
- Grand Entrance: Walking down the aisle and seeing one another for the first time is made to be more of a grand entrance. Also shared with your friends and family to see and be apart of this exciting moment.
- Married: You will actually be MARRIED! Choosing to wait to do your photographs until after the wedding is great, you’ll officially be married and be a Mr. or Mrs!
