Wedding Tips | Pros of Doing A First Look
Photo By: Sophisticated Grace
Doing a first look (seeing each other privately before the ceremony) has become really popular with couples, and as a wedding coordinator (especially for tent, barn, and backyard weddings), it can be a total game-changer for timeline flow and stress levels. Here are the biggest benefits:
Photo By: Amore Lux Studios
1.More Private, Emotional Moment
A first look gives you a quiet, intimate space to react naturally without 150+ guests watching.
Couples often say they feel more relaxed and able to fully soak in the moment together. This is also a great time to read personal vows to each other and may be the only time you are alone together the entire day!
2.Calms Nerves Before the Ceremony
Seeing each other beforehand often melts away anxiety and grounds you emotionally before walking down the aisle. Many couples say it helps them feel present and excited instead of overwhelmed.
3.More Time for Photos (and Better Light!)
Doing a first look allows you to:
Take most couple portraits before the ceremony (and when you are looking your best-no tears or windblown hair)
Capture wedding party + family photos early
Take advantage of the best natural light (especially for fall/winter weddings in Minnesota!)
Guarantee a great photo of your reactions (no ipad or someone in the way)
This means fewer rushed photos later and more variety in your gallery.
4.Smoother Timeline = Less Stress
From a coordinator perspective, this is HUGE. A first look helps:
Avoid post-ceremony photo crunch
Keep cocktail hour flowing on time
Prevent guests from waiting around
It makes the entire day feel more relaxed and organized.
Photo By: RKH Images
Photo By: Two Oaks Photography
5.Actually Enjoy Cocktail Hour
Without a first look, couples often miss most (or all) of cocktail hour for photos.
With a first look, you can:
Join your guests
Eat appetizers
Take candid photos
Actually experience your wedding day
6.More Flexibility for Ceremony Timing
Especially helpful for:
Winter weddings with early sunsets
Backyard weddings where daylight matters
Venues with tight turnaround times
Outdoor weddings where things may need to shift due to weather
You’re not racing the sun/rain or the schedule.
7.You Still Get a Special Aisle Moment
One big myth: “It ruins the aisle moment.”In reality, the ceremony entrance often becomes more emotional because nerves are gone and you can fully focus on the meaning of the moment.
Photo By: Half Acre House
Photo By: Angela Kissell Photography
MULTIPLE FIRST LOOKS?
A fun trend that we have seen becoming increasingly popular is doing a first look with other important individuals in your life. This could be with your dad, mom, bridesmaids, groomsmen, or anyone else you want to share that special moment with. You could also surprise the groom with a first look of someone else when he is expecting the bride. This is a fun way to lighten the mood and get a good laugh when you may be feeling stressed about the big day ahead! If you would like to add these to your day, make sure to let your coordinator and photographer know. That way it can be effectively worked into the timeline, and we can make sure you do not cross paths too early!
Photo By: Krista Esterling Photography
Photo By: Whitney Beth Photography
Photo By: Terra Sura
Photo By: Rubinski Works
Overall, doing a first look is a choice that can be made only by you and your partner. There are many perks to doing a first look, and we have heard nothing but positive words from couples who have decided to do one. It takes a great amount of pressure off of the already stressful ceremony, so that the first time you see one another is peaceful and sure to be remembered to its fullest! For outdoor, barn, and backyard weddings, first looks are incredibly helpful for keeping the day on schedule and stress-free while still giving couples plenty of time to mingle and celebrate.
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