Seven Reasons to Have a First Look on your Wedding Day

What exactly is a “First Look?” These days, any wedding photographer will tell you it’s when a couple decides to see each other on wedding day before their ceremony.

Some of you may be gasping at the thought of this (it’s against tradition!!) – others might consider the trend old news. But truthfully, having a First Look on wedding day has become one of the most important decisions a couple will make. The result is usually a combination of tears and laughter… but always full of emotion.

Even though there are many advantages to having First Look, it’s not the best decision for every couple. There are plenty of arguments both for and against a First Look, and most of the time I am 100% FOR it. Below you’ll find seven of my favorite reasons to have a First Look!

  1. Logistics.
    You want to spend as much of your wedding day together as possible. Especially for ceremonies that are later in the day, I always encourage couples to have a First Look early on. Everyone tells you your wedding day will be over before you know it, and – they’re right! If you’re apart until 6 pm, that’s a large portion of the day you could spend making sweet wedding memories.
  2. Lighting.
    This reason has 100% to do with photography. Depending on what time of year you’re getting married, the sun will set anywhere between 4:30 and 8:30pm. Keep in mind that for ceremonies later in the day, there won’t be time for natural light photos of you and your partner if you don’t have a First Look. What does this mean? No gorgeous greenery, no fall colors, no sunshine, no golden hour. Yes, we can take separate solo portraits, family and wedding party photos during daylight, but every single Newlywed photo from your wedding day will be taken with artificial light. If that’s not the aesthetic you’re going for, definitely consider (an earlier ceremony or) having a First Look!
  3. Privacy.
    It’s a moment you can enjoy together, alone. As the guests of honor you’ll have places to be, and a timeline to keep up with. Yes – your day will be filled with your favorite people, but there won’t be much opportunity for just the two of you together. Having a First Look guarantees a few moments of privacy on your wedding day. Some couples even choose to exchange personal vows during this time (in lieu of the ceremony), which makes for really unique and intimate photos.
  4. Nerves.
    Let’s face it: your wedding day is kind of a big deal. There’s a lot going on – the result of months of planning and decision-making. Of course you want it to be perfect! No matter how your emotions may be running, any nerves will melt away the moment you see each other (pinky swear!!). We’ve seen it time and time again. First Looks are one of my favorite things to photograph for this reason.
  5. More photos!
    This might seem like an easy one, but it’s worth mentioning. If you have a First Look you’ll get an extra set of portraits together that wouldn’t exist otherwise.
  6. Stage fright.
    Remember I mentioned that these things get emotional? Imagine experiencing that moment in front of 100+ guests with all eyes on YOU. Be prepared to let those emotions run while on display – or not allow yourself to experience them fully. Even if you don’t consider yourself an outwardly emotional person, wedding days can be completely unpredictable (yep – you might cry!). If this does not sound appealing to you, I highly recommend a First Look.
  7. Authenticity.
    Have you been dreaming about the look on your partner’s face as you walk down the aisle? Or, as they walk down the aisle toward you? Trust me: that moment will still be REAL and still be emotional. They will be just as excited to see you at that moment whether you’re apart all day or spend it together.

Bonus Reason: We Like To Party!

It’s true: With a First Look, you’ll have the option to complete ALL your formal/posed/family/group photos before the ceremony even begins. What does that mean? Once it’s officially official, you can relax, let loose, and ENJOY the party you’ve been planning for so long, alongside your loved ones. Once that ring is on your finger, not having to worry about an agenda or chasing daylight may be exactly what you need! By this point, you can rest assured that we’ve already captured countless candid moments and the formal shots you wanted. Now you can just focus on the fun stuff! Any additional Newlywed Photos (yes, we’ll definitely get some of those) are just an added bonus 🙂

Don’t believe me? See for yourself! Below are several first looks we’ve photographed, and a few ceremony first looks for comparison. Meaning: there’s a mix of couples who did see each other before the ceremony, and some couples who didn’t.

Can you tell the difference?! Let me know!

Mary & William, Thalia HallEmily & John, Salvage One / Carly & Matt, Chevy Chase Country Club / Amanda & Rob, Rivers Restaurant / Erica & Eric, River Roast / Melissa & Anand, Room 1520 / Alex & Jason, Lacuna Events / Alissa & Mel, Mercantile Hall / Jessika & Matthew, Grant Park / Ben & Carla, Begyle Brewing / Eliza & Patrick, Chicago Athletic Association / Katie & Natalie, Ravenswood Event Center / Ada & Brendan, TheWit / Kristal & Brian, Galleria Marchetti / Dana & Noah, ARIA Minneapolis / Jenn & TJ, Galleria Marchetti / Rachel & Jon, Cozumel, Mexico / Ariel & Aaron, Ignite Glass Studios / Justin & Lani, Cancun, Mexico

Bride and groom's joyful first look on Chicago Riverwalk before their Thalia Hall wedding
Bride waits for groom in bridal suite at Salvage One wedding venue in Chicago
Groom waits for bride on stairs for their first look at Salvage One wedding venue in Chicago
Happy groom waits for bride outside of Chevy Chase Country Club wedding venue
Groom waits for bride at Chicago Riverwalk before their emotional first look
Bride walks down stairs to Chicago Riverwalk for first look with groom
Bride and groom's emotional first look before Chevy Chase Country Club wedding
Bride and groom's first look on staircase at The Rookery Building wedding venue downtown Chicago
Bride and groom's first look before their Lacuna Artist Lofts wedding ceremony
Bride and bride stand back to back before their first look in courtyard at Wisconsin Mercantile Hall wedding
Bride and bride share a moment before Mercantile Hall wedding
Bride and groom's first look at The Rookery staircase downtown Chicago
Chicago bride and groom's first look on rooftop at their Room 1520 wedding
Candid photo of bride and groom's first look on rooftop at Room 1520 wedding
Bride and groom see each other for the first time on wedding day at TheWit Chicago Hotel
Bride and groom exchange letters during their first look at TheWit Chicago Hotel
Emotional first look between bride and bride at Ravenswood Event Center wedding venue
Emotional groom sees bride for the first time on their private rooftop before Galleria Marchetti wedding in Chicago
Emotional groom hugs bride in rain during their first look on private Chicago rooftop
Happy bride and groom during their first look before Chicago River Roast wedding
Bride and groom's intimate first look on staircase at Chicago Begyle Brewing wedding
Bride and groom embrace during emotional first look at Chicago Athletic Association Hotel wedding
Bride and groom embrace during their first look at Lacuna Artist Lofts wedding venue
Happy bride during first look with groom at Lacuna Artist Lofts wedding venue
Bride and groom exchange private vows at Art Institute of Chicago gardens before their downtown Chicago elopement in Grant Park
Happy groom recites vows to bride during intimate Art Institute of Chicago wedding ceremony
Happy couple kiss in Art Institute of Chicago Gardens on their wedding day
Bride and groom exchange private vows during their first look at home
Happy bride recites vows during intimate first look at home
Bride and groom kiss in backyard before heading to ARIA Minneapolis wedding ceremony
Groom and groom kiss on iconic marble staircase at Chicago Athletic Association Hotel
View from balcony of bride walking down the aisle at ARIA Minneapolis wedding ceremony
Emotional groom as bride enters Chicago Rivers Restaurant wedding ceremony
Happy bride walks down aisle with father at Chicago Rivers Restaurant wedding
Groom watches bride walk down aisle at their Chicago Galleria Marchetti wedding ceremony
Bride and father walk down aisle during Galleria Marchetti wedding ceremony at La Pergola
Cozumel, Mexico destination wedding ceremony groom watches bride walk toward him during first look
Black and white photo of bride and parents entering traditional Jewish wedding ceremony at Ignite Glass Studio
Happy groom watches bride walk down the aisle at Chicago Ignite Glass Studio wedding
Happy groom clapping as ring bearer walks down the aisle
Emotional groom waits for bride during Cancun destination wedding ceremony
Bride wipes away tears from groom's face at their Cancun destination wedding ceremony
Candid photo of bride and groom walking outside at their fall Chevy Chase Country Club wedding
Happy brides at their Chicago Ravenswood Event Center wedding

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