First looks are definitely becoming more mainstream in the wedding world (for a good reason!) If you aren’t sure about this tradition, I’m about to explain my top 5 reasons you should consider a first look. As a wedding photographer with lots of first look experience, I’ll show you exactly why a first look can be a perfect addition to your wedding day that will bring all the emotions and reduce stress!

Keep reading to find out my top 5 reasons you should consider a first look!

First off, what even is a first look?

To put it simply, a first look is when you and your partner see each other before you walk down the aisle on your wedding day. It can be as intimate as you want it with no one else around. Or you can let your family and bridal party watch from afar! Either way, there are so many benefits of including a first look on your wedding day!

Here are my top 5 reasons you should consider a first look:

Reason #1: First Looks Reduce Nerves

Wedding days are stressful. You have all eyes on you, you’ve been planning for months, you want everything to be perfect, and you’re about to commit your life to another person! Speaking from experience, those moments when you’re waiting to walk down the aisle are the most nerve wracking of the whole day! My husband and I did a first look and I still felt like I was going to pass out!

When choose to do a first look, you’ve already spent some time together and the pressure is off (at least to some extent!) Trust me, seeing your soon to be spouse before you walk down the aisle is like a breath of fresh air. And I promise you’ll still be able to express all your emotions coming down the aisle!

Reason #2: Extend your wedding day with a first look

Without a first look, your wedding day would pretty much start when your ceremony starts. When the ceremony ends, you’d rush through portraits so that you don’t keep everyone else waiting at the reception. With a first look, your wedding day can actually start sooner! Instead of feeling rushed to get all your portraits done, you actually get to enjoy them and have fun hanging out with all the most important people to you. More importantly, you get to spend more time with your new husband or wife!

Reason #3: You can get up to 50% more portraits with a first look

When you choose to do a first look, you’re also agreeing to a significant more amount of portraits of you and your partner together! Without a first look, your only portrait time would be a small window after your ceremony and maybe another set of sunset pictures if your wedding day has a late sunset. These portraits are the types of pictures that will be passed down from generation to generation and that will fill your walls!

Reason #4: A first look gives a more genuine reaction

The most common thing I hear from couples who don’t want to do a first look is that they think their partner’s reaction won’t be the same. They assume that their partner won’t get as emotional as they would seeing each other for the first time coming down the aisle. What I’ve found is actually the opposite!

When you see each other for the first time at the aisle, all eyes are on you, watching, waiting, and anticipating a reaction. For so many of my couples (who are otherwise pretty emotional), the pressure of everyone staring and anticipating tears can be a bit overwhelming. When it’s just the two of you with no expectations, the emotions always flow (and it’s so beautiful to capture!)

Reason #5: Your only alone time together

You’ll be surrounded by so many people on your wedding day. From getting ready to bridal party and family pictures and your reception with all your loved ones, there’s not much time to be alone together. First Looks allow you to be alone with your partner on your wedding day. Plus, when you’ve just shared your first look and you’re alone for the first and probably only time that day, you’re so ready to love on each other, and I always capture the sweetest images during these moments!

If you enjoyed reading this blog about “5 Reasons You Should Consider a First Look?”, make sure to check out How Many Hours of Wedding Photography Do I Need! If you’re looking for someone to capture your day, click here to contact me!

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KIND WORDS

“Sydney is so awesome to work with! She took so much stress off of us as a photographer, helping us plan for our wedding day. Her pictures are beautiful and she makes it so easy to be in front of the camera!”

-Jayln and Nick