If you’re planning a wedding, you have to make lots of different decisions. Things like: what cake flavor do you want? What colors will the wedding party wear? What kind of florals best match the wedding theme?
And then there’s more logistical things like: what time will the ceremony be? What’s the timeline of the photography? Will you have a first look?
There’s SO many things that need your attention when planning a wedding and the problem is that a lot of times, allll of the decisions are important ones. However, there are some decisions you’ll make that hold a little more importance and it’s those decisions that need a little more research and careful consideration.
And that’s what this blog post is for! When working with North Georgia couples for their wedding photography, one of the first questions I always ask before ever creating their wedding day photography timeline is: are you team first look vs. no first look?
This is one of those decisions that shouldn’t be made lightly or on a whim, because honestly, your answer to this question can impact the ENTIRE wedding day timeline.
So it’s for that reason I always encourage my couples to sit with the question for a bit and really weigh the pros and cons before making their final decision. Because at the end of the day, there’s not just one right answer.
Some people really love the idea of a first look, while others want to enjoy a more traditional wedding ceremony. At the end of the day, the choice is entirely up to you, but this blog post can help you decide which is right for you!
What is a First Look at a Wedding?
First things first, before jumping into the pros and cons of first look vs. no first look at your wedding, let’s make sure we’re clear on what a first look even is.
First looks at weddings are becoming more and more popular, so a lot of people are very familiar with them, but just in case you aren’t sure what that entails, I want to make sure we’re on the same page!
A first look at a wedding is a private, intentional moment set up before the ceremony where the couple sees each other for the first time, just the two of them (and your photographer tucked off to the side with a camera to capture the intimate moment).
Instead of that first glimpse happening at the end of the aisle in front of all your guests, it happens earlier in the day, somewhere quiet and meaningful, whether that’s a garden, a hallway of your venue, or a scenic spot nearby.
It’s a moment that your photographer gets to capture up close, without the pressure of an audience watching, which often means it feels a little more raw, a little more real, and a LOT more relaxed!
The Pros and Cons of First Look vs. No First Look
As mentioned above, there’s no right or wrong answer to whether you have a first look vs. no first look at your wedding, but there are some pros and cons to consider before deciding on which one is right for you!
Pros of a Wedding First Look
Eases Nerves
Walking down the aisle in front of a room full of people is a big moment, and for a lot of couples, it comes with a serious case of nerves. A first look gives you the chance to see each other privately first, settle those butterflies, and actually enjoy that aisle walk instead of white-knuckling your way through it.
More Time for Portraits
When you do a first look, your photographer can knock out the bulk of your couple portraits and wedding party photos before the ceremony even starts. That means better lighting options throughout the day, more variety in your gallery, and way less pressure to rush through photos during cocktail hour.
A More Relaxed Timeline
Wedding day photography timelines can get tight, especially if your reception has a hard end time. Doing a first look spreads things out so you’re not trying to cram ceremony photos, family formals, wedding party shots, and couple portraits all into one 30-45 minute cocktail hour window. Click here to read through my other blog post about timelines with and without first looks!
More Time to Actually Enjoy Your Reception
Because so much of the photography is handled earlier in the day, couples who do a first look often get to walk straight into cocktail hour with their guests instead of disappearing for photos. That means more time mingling, more time with your signature drink in hand, and less time missing out on your own party!
Cons of a Wedding First Look
Takes the Surprise Away
For a lot of couples, this is the big one! That moment of seeing each other for the first time at the end of the aisle, in front of everyone who loves them, is often the moment that so many couples look forward to. A first look means that big reveal happens privately instead, which some feel takes away from the traditional magic of the ceremony.
Requires an Earlier Start Time
A first look adds time to the front half of your day, which usually means hair and makeup starts earlier, your “getting ready” window is tighter, and your whole day begins sooner than it would otherwise. So if you’re not much of a morning person and you don’t want to rush through the getting ready process, this is worth factoring in.
Less Traditional
If you envision a wedding day that closely follows classic tradition, skipping the first look might feel more true to that vision. Some couples (and sometimes their families) simply prefer the timeline and feel of a more traditional wedding day.
Splits Up the “Big Emotional Moments”
With a first look, some of that big emotional reaction, like the tears, nervous laughter, that “wow” reaction, happens earlier and more privately. Some couples prefer that, but others prefer for guests to get to witness that raw reaction during the ceremony itself, which is something to weigh if you love the idea of sharing that moment with everyone at once.
How To Decide On First Look vs. No First Look For Your Wedding
Now that you know the pros and cons of first look vs. no first look at your wedding, you might have a better idea of what you might prefer, but just in case you’re still feeling a little torn with the decision, run through the checklist below together as a couple. It’ll help you land on the answer that actually fits you both, not just what’s trending on Pinterest!
- Picture your ideal reveal moment – do you imagine seeing each other privately and quietly, or do you picture that big reveal happening at the end of the aisle, in front of everyone?
- Check in on your nerves – are one (or both) of you the type to get anxious in front of a crowd? A first look might help settle those nerves before the ceremony.
- Look at your ceremony and reception start times – is your reception on a tight timeline with a hard end time? If so, a first look can help protect your cocktail hour and evening.
- Consider your guest count and family photo list – the bigger your wedding party and family formal list, the more a first look can help take pressure off your cocktail hour.
- Think about your morning – are you comfortable with an earlier start time for hair, makeup, and getting ready? A first look adds time to your morning schedule.
- Talk to your photographer (ahem, that could be me!) – every venue and guest count is different, so it helps to talk through what your day would actually look like with and without a first look before deciding.
- Ask yourselves what you’ll regret more – will you regret not having that big walk-down-the-aisle reveal, or will you regret not having a more intimate first moment together?
- Trust your gut – at the end of the day, this is your wedding. Whichever option feels more “you” as a couple is the right choice.
Overall, it’s important to remember that there’s no right or wrong answer here. This checklist simply helps you get crystal clear on YOUR preferences and choose the option that best suits you as a couple!
North Georgia Wedding Photography Services
At the end of the day, whether you’re team first look vs. no first look, I’m here to help you plan a wedding day photography timeline for your North Georgia wedding! My goal for all of my clients, regardless of the option they choose, is to create a photography timeline that fits your vision and lets you actually enjoy the day you’ve spent so much time planning.
As a North Georgia wedding photographer, I’ve helped couples navigate this exact decision more times than I can count, and I love walking through it with each of my couples so we can build a timeline that works for you.
So if you’re ready to start planning your wedding day photography, I’d love to connect and chat through your vision! CLICK HERE to learn more about my North Georgia wedding photography services.
Xx,
Amanda
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