Planning your wedding day timeline can be overwhelming, and one of the biggest debates for couples is whether or not to do a first look. As photographers, we’ve seen both sides of this choice and the impact it can have on your day. While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, many couples find that a first look adds an extra layer of calm, connection, and flexibility to their wedding day.Here are five reasons why you should do a first look on your wedding day.

1. A Private, Intimate Moment

Wedding days can be hectic, with people pulling you in a million directions. A first look creates a rare moment of privacy for just the two of you before the whirlwind begins. It’s a chance to connect, breathe, and soak in the significance of the day without an audience. Couples who do a first look often say it’s one of their favorite parts of the day because it allows them to focus on each other.

2. Calms Pre-Ceremony Nerves

If you’re feeling anxious about walking down the aisle, seeing your partner beforehand can ease those nerves. From our perspective, couples are often visibly more relaxed after their first look. It helps set a calmer tone for the rest of the day, making it easier to be fully present during the ceremony.

3. More Time for Photos

A first look gives you the chance to knock out many of your portraits before the ceremony. This means you’ll have more time to enjoy your cocktail hour or spend with guests after the ceremony. From a photographer’s perspective, it also allows us to work with the best light of the day and gives you more variety in your photos.

4. Capturing Raw Emotions

There’s nothing quite like the raw emotion of a first look. Seeing your partner for the first time on your wedding day in a quiet, controlled setting often leads to reactions you’ll want to remember forever. We can focus on capturing those genuine moments without the pressure or distraction of a crowd.

5. It Doesn’t Take Away from the Ceremony

One common worry we hear is that a first look will ruin the magic of walking down the aisle. In our experience, that couldn’t be further from the truth. The ceremony is still a deeply emotional moment, whether you’ve done a first look or not. In fact, many couples say they feel more in the moment during the ceremony because they’ve already had that private time together.

Ultimately, whether or not to do a first look is a personal decision, but these five reasons highlight why you should do a first look on your wedding day. If you’re still unsure, talk it over with your photographer—they can help you envision how it would fit into your day and timeline.

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