The “First Look” (or “First Glance”) is when a bride and groom plan on breaking “tradition” and seeing each other before the ceremony. It is a photo opportunity, and it is ever growing in popularity, but more importantly it is a chance to make your wedding day less stressful and even more personal. There are several reasons to have a first look, and I’ll go over my top five reasons below!

Here are my top five reasons to have a first look:

1. You get the wedding-day jitters out early.

Almost everyone gets nervous on their wedding day. It’s a day you’ve spent months planning, and it’s the pivotal day when you and your fiancé become husband and wife. The two of you are going to be the complete center of attention for the next several hours. It is 100% NORMAL to get nervous! I’ve found that most often, once you see your spouse-to-be, those nerves are tempered a bit.

2. You get a private moment together before sharing the rest of your wedding day with everyone else.

Your wedding day is all about the two of you. But actually, it’s all about celebrating with all of your guests, too. You’re going to feel pulled in so many directions throughout the day. Everyone wants to give you their best wishes, take a photo with you, and share in your excitement. That is an amazing and wonderful thing! But it is always a good thing to plan to take a few minutes to spend with your new husband/wife, so that you can really soak in the day together, without distraction.

3. The timeline is less stressful.

While I give all my brides my best suggestions for the schedule no matter whether they choose to have a first look or not, those who opt for the first look tend to feel less stressed about making it to their reception on time. And I want to eliminate stress for you on your wedding day! If you choose to have a first look, that means we can take all your bridal party portraits before the ceremony even starts. (Which also means we get to have some more fun with your wedding party pictures!) Sometimes I even knock out family portraits before the ceremony, too. That means you have less to do and worry about after your ceremony, and you can get to the party faster! Winning!

4. You can pick a special spot where you see each other for the first time.

While I 100% understand the desire to have that traditional moment of seeing each other for the first time as you walk down the aisle (I myself chose to keep to the tradition for my own wedding) you can take this opportunity to create the perfect background for this moment. You can select a spot tucked away from any onlookers. You can feel free to be yourselves together—laugh, cry, whatever your heart tells you. (And I’ll stand back with my sniper lens so that I can capture it all without you even knowing I’m there ;).)

5. I promise, that excited feeling of seeing your future hubby/wife as the bridal march starts will not diminish.

Even if you’ve already seen each other, there is just something about that moment you enter the ceremony that will make you husband and wife. That is when it feels real, and it will feel that way whether you haven’t seen each other yet or you have spent the whole morning together. (Trust me, couples who elope to the courthouse together still get that same excitement.)

If after reading all those reasons to have a first look you still want to wait until the ceremony to see each other, that is totally OKAY and I totally understand the desire to keep to tradition! (Like I said, back in the day, I did the same thing!) These are just some things to consider as you plan out your day and plan for fabulous photos. Since becoming a wedding photographer a year after I got married myself, I’ve personally totally switched bandwagons ;)

You might also like:

Tips for Planning Your Wedding Day Timeline