A wedding day has a natural trajectory. From the moment you wake up, the energy builds steadily toward one defining moment. Seeing one another. The nerves are high and the anticipation grows. Everything feels full- and then it happens. Whether it is private or shared with loved ones, this moment often marks a turning point in the day. After it, the stress tends to soften, emotions settle, and couples can finally breathe.

For many couples, the first look is arguably the most important moment of the entire wedding day.
Which is why planning it with intention and forethought matters so much.

One of the biggest decisions couples face when building their wedding day timeline is whether or not to do a first look.

As a wedding photographer, I see firsthand how much this choice impacts the flow of the day. The emotional experience, as well as the final wedding photos.

First looks are often viewed in very black and white terms. Couples tend to either love the idea or dismiss it entirely. Often based on assumptions about tradition, emotion, or how the moment is supposed to feel.

In reality, deciding whether a first look makes sense for your wedding is far more nuanced. Far more personal.
There are multiple factors to consider. This includes your personalities, your wedding schedule, your ceremony time, your priorities for photos, and how you want to experience your wedding day together.

Understanding the true pros and cons of a first look can help you make a decision that feels right rather than pressured.

PROS

1. More time together

One of the more unknown downsides of a wedding day is how little you actually get to see your fiancé. The day is filled with joyful celebrations and beautiful traditions, but often you do not see your partner until halfway through the day. Even then, you are usually on the move. A first look helps break up the chaos and gives you a quiet moment to reconnect with each other
This is also where I step in. I make sure we not only capture a meaningful reveal and knock out a portion of your wedding portraits, but also create space for you to slow down and enjoy a few peaceful moments together. We do all of this before moving on to the next part of your day.

2. Calmer Nerves

The wedding day can often make people feel like they are constantly on the spot. Many couples are not naturally comfortable being the center of attention. Others feel uneasy showing strong emotion in front of a crowd. Planning a first look may allow you to experience some of those intense, emotional moments in a private and low pressure setting. If you tend to hold back when others are watching, a first look gives you the freedom to react, connect, and be fully present without worrying about an audience.
This can go a long way in calming nerves and helping you feel more grounded before the ceremony begins.

3. Flexible timeline

A common summer wedding day timeline often looks something like this:

11:00am Hair and makeup
3:00pm Ceremony
4:00pm Cocktail hour and family formals
5:00pm Bridal party portraits
6:00pm Bridal party entrance
6:30pm Dinner
7:30pm Cake cutting and first dances
8:30–9:00pm Sunset portraits

With this type of timeline, you typically have a maximum of about 1.5 hours for portraits. This time includes your bridal party and family photos, and that is only if everything stays on schedule and we are able to gather family members quickly and efficiently.

When you add a first look, the timeline can shift to look more like this:

11:00am Hair and makeup
1:00pm First look
1:30pm Couple portraits and or family portraits
3:00pm Ceremony
4:00pm Cocktail hour and remaining family formals
5:00pm Bridal party portraits
6:00pm Bridal party entrance
6:30pm Dinner
7:30pm Cake cutting and first dances
8:30–9:00pm Sunset portraits

This option allows for significantly more flexibility throughout the day. It creates a more relaxed pace, opens the door for more creative and unique photo opportunities, and provides built in cushion time if the schedule shifts or the weather does not cooperate.

4. Private reactions

As mentioned earlier, not everyone feels comfortable experiencing emotional moments in a public setting. This is something we can completely control as your photography and videography team. A traditional first look is typically planned in a private location tucked away from guests and distractions. My team and I bring one of you to the spot first, then guide the other in shortly after, allowing the moment to unfold naturally.

In most cases, there are no more than three to four photographers or videographers present. This in addition to any family members or friends you choose to include. If that still feels like too much, we can absolutely scale it back. This can mean no microphones, minimal direction, and even a single photographer capturing both photo and video. We can even go as far as keeping a respectful distance so you can focus fully on each other.

While documenting these moments is important, your experience always comes first. The goal is to create space for you to feel present, comfortable, and connected without feeling watched or rushed.

5. More candid moments

Almost every bride hopes for one photo in particular, the groom’s reaction. This is completely understandable and is always something we aim to capture. However, during a ceremony, that moment does not always unfold the way couples imagine. With all eyes watching and emotions running high, reactions can sometimes feel restrained by the pressure of the moment.

With a first look, reactions tend to be far more authentic. The interactions that follow are also more natural and candid. You still get that meaningful reaction photo, along with the quiet moments immediately after.

CONS

1. Emotional expectations

Just as emotional expectations can create pressure during the aisle reveal, they can also affect the first look. For some couples, reacting privately in front of a small audience can actually feel more intimidating. This is why it is vital to talk openly as a couple about which setting will make you feel the most comfortable. There is no right or wrong choice, only what allows you to experience the moment authentically.

2. Requires extra planning

As wonderful as first looks can be, they do require a bit more planning. If you are getting ready in separate locations or do not have easy access to each other before the ceremony, coordinating transportation and bridal prep can become more complicated. Scheduling time to meet beforehand and ensuring everyone returns to the ceremony location on time can add an extra layer of logistics to the day.

If this process feels difficult to navigate, it can affect the overall wedding timeline and, in some cases, add unnecessary stress. When considering a first look, it is helpful to think through a few key details ahead of time. These include hair and makeup run times, convenient and private meeting locations, transportation to and from the first look, who needs to be present, potential traffic, and how much buffer time is built into the schedule. Planning these elements carefully can make the difference between a calm, enjoyable experience and a rushed one.

3.Less prep buffer

The one part of your wedding day that can get hindered by a first look is your prep time. What is usually an opportunity for you to relax and enjoy in your friends in family can quickly become a time crunch if you are trying to getg everything done and out the door before you need to at the meeting location. Making sure your wedding day starts on a stress free note is crucial.

4.A different aisle moment

With the relief of the first look there is concern that this may lessen the excitement of the ceremony reveal. Unfortunatley this isnt really something I can measure but I can say I have never had a wedding where the groom didnt react to his bride walking down the aisle after they had a first look. But i have head the argument from the brides perspective that they were hoping for more.

5.Guests don’t share the reveal

The final negative I have seen to having a first look has less to do with the couple and more to do with the guests of the wedding. This glorious day has everything to do with you two as a couple but it also has to do with all of these people that you invited to be witness to it with you. Not just parents and siblings but grandparents friends and distant relations. To the point where you want them to enjoy in this moment just as much as you get to.

No matter what your decision, the point here is to weigh your options. A first look can be a useful tool or it could be a burden. Its an extremely helpful conversation to have to make sure your wedding day fits who you are as a couple and leaves you with the best memories possible.