5 Reasons Why You May Want to do A First Look

The "First Look" at the Wedding

The first time you lay eyes on each other on your wedding day is an unforgettable moment. After years of anticipation, the big day has finally arrived, and your nerves are truly beginning to kick in as your “first look” approaches.

Traditionally a couple’s first look took place during the ceremony, when they first lay eyes on each other at the top of the aisle, however, nowadays many couples choose to keep this magical moment intimate and see each other before the ceremony in a private location of their choice, partly to calm those inevitable nerves.

Indeed, there are many more reasons why couples prefer to share their first look on their wedding day in private. Below we outline the top 5 reasons to have a first look photography session on your wedding day.

Take a moment for yourselves

Your wedding is a fantastic day to celebrate your love for each other with your friends, family and loved ones. However, from the morning spent getting ready with your bridal party to the evening spent boogying the night away on the dancefloor with your best friends, it can be difficult to find a moment to yourselves.

By planning to have a first look on your wedding, you can take a moment to connect alone and spend some precious time together before your guests arrive. Indeed, a first look gives you both a chance to take a deep breath and fully appreciate each other without the pressure of a hundred eyes on you.

Calm your nerves

As the moment you walk down the aisle approaches, it is inevitable that you will feel nervous. Not only can a first look be the perfect antidote but being able to see and embrace each other before the ceremony can give you both a sense of much needed calm and reassurance on your big day. 

Capture candid wedding photos and videos

Although your wedding photographer can catch the moment you walk down the aisle, it is hard to beat a dedicated photoshoot for capturing your once-in-a-lifetime first look. By having a first look you can ensure you authentically and candidly capture the moment you first lay eyes on each other on your wedding day and remember it for years to come.

Enjoy the moment twice

A first look does not replace the excitement of walking down the aisle. In fact, many brides say they felt very lucky to have been able to enjoy the moment twice by choosing to have a first look on their wedding day. 

Enjoy the rest of your day

A first look gives you the freedom to enjoy the rest of the wedding. As you will have already taken beautiful portraits of you both when you are still fresh-faced and the light is bright during your first look, you will be free to pop the champagne and begin the celebrations after the ceremony right away. 

Lastly, you can also get a little more creative and do first looks with a relative like father, mother, or sibling. These are some of my additional flourishes to this kind of intimate moment during a wedding. So why not do a first look(s)? :)