7 Benefits About A First Look That May Change Your Perspective

Let me preface this — I’ll never try to change your mind if you have it made up. Your decisions are made for intentional reasons and I will always respect that. 🙂 I simply want to give you a professional photographer’s perspective by sharing the benefits a first look can do for you!

1. That Monumental Moment

I’m serious when I say that “moment” that you’re looking forward to experiencing down the aisle will happen with or without people around. How am I sure? Because he’s seeing YOU for the first time! And to be really credible, you’re bound to get an even more transparent reaction because it is JUST you — the one who won’t judge, laugh or stare at him if he gets emotional. You’ve chosen your person because you feel best around them. Intentionally choose to create an amazing moment for just the two of you — one special time before the celebration begins.

2. You Finally Get to be with Each Other

Here’s what couples don’t realize: the reason your wedding flies by is that you’re anticipating the moment you finally get to be together. So if you’re still set on waiting until the aisle, my advice is to find your “why”. Why are you set on waiting for that moment? Make sure your “why” comes from a place of love and not fear. Don’t choose to be AWAY from your partner for most of your wedding day because you’ve been told to.

3. A Greater Wedding Experience

Your guest list is made up of people you love and adore. They’ve canceled all prior plans and may have even called off work because you’re one of their favorite people too! Think about you as a past guest to one of your friend’s weddings. What did you most look forward to? I bet it was seeing the bride walk down the aisle, eating delicious food, and finally getting to party the night away with them. Your guests feel the same way! Minimizing time between the ceremony and reception will make them the happiest and your wedding a greater experience for all!

4. A Freed-Up Day

Imagine what it would feel like to relax and celebrate your marriage RIGHT after your ceremony. That’s the biggest advantage of doing the first look! It’s getting your bride and groom portraits, the bride with bridesmaids, groom with groomsmen, and your entire wedding party photos, done before the ceremony, so you can ENJOY the rest of your evening! We’d only be using a mere 15-25 minutes for family and sunset portraits as opposed to an hour or more away from your party.

5. Your Photos will Turn Out Better

If you’ve ever been in a wedding as a bridesmaid or groomsman, you know how hard it is to feel like yourself around a whole group of new people. So, the sooner your wedding party can get to know one another, the easier they’ll bond and the better your images will turn out — of real smiles, real laughs, and real memories. As a documentary photographer, I promise these real moments create better experiences for your wedding party.

6. Your Wedding Day Will Feel Longer

I always tell my brides to try to be present in everything we do. That’s why doing a first look 2 hours earlier (before your ceremony) will essentially feel like you’ve gained those extra hours! We’ll be able to do all the “needed photos” ahead of time, to give you the most uninterrupted day with your friends and family.

7. Being Present

I’ve NEVER had a bride who regretted doing a first look and I can say that I don’t believe I ever will. In fact, every bride who went with one is much MORE present afterward. It always goes back to the anticipation…your wedding day celebrates YOU as a couple, so it makes perfect sense to spend it, TOGETHER. <3

I LOVED our first look and the images that came from it will be forever cherished. We decided last minute to do the first look, and I highly recommend it to all brides. The moment/images you capture in a first look far outweigh the groom seeing you for the first time walking down the aisle!

Rachel Craft, A 2018 ARP Bride

I hope these insights help you get a better feel for what it would be like to do a first look! I’ve simply been part of a lot of weddings and have seen the benefits of what a “First-Look” will do for you and your babe!

Did you find this helpful? Let me know! Leave a comment if you want more content like this and feel free to share this with anyone you know that’s soon-to-be or recently engaged!