Should you do a first look on your wedding day?

Here’s the deal.

I didn’t do a first look at my own wedding.

GASP!

My husband really cared about seeing me for the first time while we walked down the aisle, we only had eight family photos to take after the ceremony, we grabbed a few bridal party photos, and then spent the rest of cocktail hour photographing the two of us.

Having said all that and now being a photographer, I would highly recommend doing a first look.

Here’s why!

This is a really special moment that gets captured on camera, and you get those photos forever. It’s an intimate moment and you get those photos together. When you walk down the aisle, yes, it’s special but you aren’t necessarily together in those photos. Even if you do a first look, many brides and grooms still get teary, emotional pictures walking down the aisle as well.

Doing a first look also means that you will get more photos together overall throughout the day. You’ll get great portraits before the ceremony, no make up is ruined, no one is sweaty, AND you’ll get those great golden hour pictures later.

It gives you and your spouse more time together on your wedding day. Not doing a first look means you won’t see each other until the ceremony which could be at 3:00, 4:00, or 5:00 p.m.! Then, you’ll have gone almost your entire wedding day without spending it with the person who means the most to you.

After all this and the ceremony, you can just relax and enjoy your reception. There’s time for you and your spouse to say hi to people, get some appetizers and drinks, and enjoy the rest of the evening together!