Should you do a first look? Planning a wedding comes with so many decisions—from florals and favors to timelines and traditions. One of the biggest choices couples face is whether or not to do a first look before the ceremony. As a Utah and Seattle wedding photographer with over 16 years of experience capturing love stories, I’ve seen it all—and I’m here to break it down for you!

So, what exactly is a first look? It’s a private moment before the ceremony where the couple sees each other for the first time, usually captured beautifully on camera. It’s emotional, intimate, and incredibly meaningful—but it’s not for everyone. Below, I’m sharing the pros and cons of doing a first look so you can decide what’s right for your day.

Pros of Doing a First Look

1. More Time Together (and More Photos!)

A first look gives you extra time with your partner on your wedding day. Instead of waiting until the ceremony, you get to spend more of your day side-by-side. Bonus: we get more time for portraits together, meaning a fuller, more relaxed photo gallery.

2. Private, Emotional Moment

The walk down the aisle can feel overwhelming with hundreds of eyes watching. A first look offers a quiet, private space to take in each other’s reactions—tears, laughter, hugs, and all—with no pressure.

3. Eases Wedding Day Jitters

Many of my couples say their nerves melt away the moment they see each other. That early emotional connection can ground you both and set a calm, joyful tone for the rest of the day.

4. Helps Streamline the Timeline

Doing a first look allows us to get a lot of photos done before the ceremony—couple portraits, wedding party shots, and sometimes even family formals. This gives you more time to enjoy cocktail hour and your guests afterward.

5. Better Light for Photos

If you’re planning a late ceremony, a first look ensures we capture your portraits in ideal natural light, especially during golden hour (a photographer’s dream!).

Cons of Doing a First Look

1. Breaks with Tradition

Some couples dream of that classic “aisle moment” where they lock eyes for the first time in front of friends and family. If tradition is deeply important to you, you might feel like a first look takes away from that.

2. Earlier Start Time

To fit a first look into your schedule, hair and makeup need to start earlier. If you’re not a morning person or want a slow, easy start to your day, this may be a factor.

3. Logistical Considerations

Depending on your venue, doing a first look might require coordinating transportation or scouting a separate location for privacy. But don’t worry—an experienced photographer (like yours truly!) can help with that.

4. May Feel Less “Formal”

Some couples feel that seeing each other beforehand makes the ceremony feel less impactful. However, in my experience, the ceremony still carries all the emotion—just without as many nerves.

Photographer’s Take: What Do I Recommend?

Truthfully? It depends on you. Over the last 16 years of photographing weddings, I’ve photographed weddings all over the world where a first look was the perfect choice, and others where the couple was so glad they waited until the aisle. There’s no wrong answer—just what feels right for your love story.

If you’re having a winter wedding in Seattle or Utah, where it gets dark early, a first look can be incredibly helpful for maximizing natural light. If you’re having a destination wedding or a multi-location day, a first look can also streamline logistics.

But if you’re dreaming of that powerful aisle moment and want all the anticipation, skip the first look and let it all unfold naturally—just make sure we plan enough time for photos afterward!

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, whether you choose a first look from these pros and cons listed above, your wedding will be beautiful and memorable. My job is to capture every tear, laugh, and glance—first look or aisle reveal included. My advice? Talk it over with your partner, consider the flow of your day, and trust your gut.

And if you need a photographer who knows how to guide you through timelines, lighting, and emotional moments with ease, I’m here for you. Let’s make photo magic together—first look or not!

Planning your wedding in Utah or Seattle area? Reach out to see if your date is available and let’s capture the start of your forever, your way.