Over the years, wedding traditions have slowly to evolved. While a wedding is something that maybe you’ve dreamed of ever since you were little, that doesn’t mean that you can’t change your mind about how you want to celebrate it. Couples today have learned that it’s not about how you celebrate, it’s more about why you celebrate.
In this case, a wedding trend that I am completely and head-over-heels absolutely IN LOVE with is first looks. First looks have slowly gained traction throughout the years and I am a pro-first look fiend. Having a first look may stray away from wedding tradition. However, it can have just as much impact as not having a first look. So if you’re someone who is currently battling in their mind “Should I have a first look?”, let me help ease this decision a bit.
What Is A First Look?
First things first, what exactly is a first look? A first look is a designated time on your wedding day when you and your partner get to see each other for the first time. It’s an intimate time between you and your partner that more often than not ends with tears. The good kind though, don’t worry.
If you thought first looks were strictly for you and your partner though, you are wrong. First looks are not only exclusively with your partner but can be with others as well. Some include a first look with a parent, a pet, or even your bridal party. The opportunities for first looks on your wedding day are endless and that’s one of the many benefits of incorporating a first look into your wedding day!
Pro’s Of Having a First Look On Your Wedding Day
Some of you may be thinking what exactly are the “pros” of having a first look on your wedding day anyways? Well, let me clear it up for you. While I may be a bit biased in my opinion, just know that all of thes pros that I will be mentioning are not only from me but from others’ experiences as well!
More Flexibility In Your Wedding Timeline
Your wedding timeline is one of the most important things that you should have for your wedding, trust me. You can read all about wedding timelines and why they are so important here! One of the many benefits of incorporating a first look into your wedding day is that you’re able to have more flexibility in your wedding timeline.
It’s because of this carved-out time for you and your partner, that you can have A.) more opportunities for portraits and B.) you don’t feel like you need to rush the remainder of your wedding day. You’re able to relax once the portraits and ceremony are complete and enjoy the rest of the evening with your guests. Essentially it’s a win-win and one of the many reasons why you should do a first look.
Private Intimate Moment For You and Your Partner
Another reason why so many couples opt for a first look on their wedding day is the private intimacy between you and your partner on the day of your wedding. To be frank, a lot of couples barely see each other on the day of their wedding. You are so consumed with everything and everyone else that is going on, that oftentimes you blink and the day is over. Of course, we don’t want that!
Having a first look gives you and your partner the opportunity for some alone time before the chaos of the remainder of your special day! That intentional moment alone for you two connect before continuing on with your day is incredibly special. This is also another main reason why couples love having a first look.
More Alone Time With Your Partner
Slightly touches on what I just spoke about, but incorporating a first look on your wedding day also gives you more alone time with your partner! As I mentioned before, the day of your wedding can get pretty crazy. Time flies when you’re having fun, am I right? The last thing you want is to feel like you barely even saw your partner… and you’re the ones getting married! Having a first look not only gives you that intimacy with your partner. It gives you the one thing that you can never get back… time.
Get Rid Of Those Pre-Wedding Jitters
Let’s face it, 99.9% of people will experience some type of nervousness, or excitement on the day of their wedding. I mean hello, it’s a day you’ve been patiently waiting for! With that being said, these emotions and feelings are completely normal but something many people struggle with on their wedding day. A first look helps get rid of some of those pre-wedding jitters. It also reminds you that the only other person going through the EXACT same feeling as you… is your partner. It’s a nice feeling knowing that you’re not the only one going through those feelings. It definitely is a major sense of relief for many couples that choose to do a first look.
First Look = More Time = More Portraits
Incorporating a first look on your wedding day also gives you (and your wedding photographer) the perfect excuse to include more portraits in your gallery! With a first look, you will need to carve out some extra time in your wedding timeline to have a first look. While at first, this may seem annoying, in the end, it not only gives you and your partner more photos together, which is an A+ in my book.
It also allows you to join your guests later in the day and not have to worry about spending the rest of your wedding day sneaking off to take photos. As a Chicago wedding photographer, I am all for the photos, but my main priority is making sure that my couples enjoy their wedding day.
By doing a first look we can often complete ALL of your portraits pre-ceremony, that way you can spend as much time with your guests as possible at cocktail hour and your reception. Most couples have told me that their day was much more relaxing when they could just follow the flow of the evening and not worry about keeping track of the time to head out for portraits.
Con’s Of Having a First Look On Your Wedding
As annoying as it is, I do also have to play devil’s advocate and talk about reasons why couples may not choose to have a first look at their wedding. While this list is much shorter than my pros, there are still some reasons why some couples may choose to stick with tradition and opt out of having a first look.
It Can Put Pressure On A Certain Reaction
One reason why a couple may choose to not have a first look on their wedding day surrounds the idea of pressure. When choosing to have a first look, some of you may have this idea on how your partner should react when they first see you. If, for some reason, they don’t react how you envisioned, this may put a sour mood on your expectations for the remainder of the day. This may not be what some of you may want to experience or deal with on your wedding day, hence why you may not choose to do a first look.
Your Guests Can’t Share This First Moment With You
If you’re someone who values sharing these beautiful, private, and intimate moments with your guests then having a first look may not be for you. With a first look, it’s usually between just you and your partner. No guests are involved. It’s because of this, that if you value sharing these starstruck-ing moments with your guests that you may choose to not have a first look on your wedding day. This is completely up to you AND your partner’s preference on if you feel comfortable sharing these intimate moments in front of family and friends.
Add’s Extra Time Pre-Ceremony That You Need To Create Time For
Lastly, incorporating a first look on your wedding day means that you will need to carve out extra time in your wedding timeline for it. This means possibly waking up a little bit earlier than you expected to be able to fit everything that you need on your wedding day, including a first look. For all of you, non-morning people who are completely headstrong on not carving out this extra bit of time, having a first look on your wedding day may end up being a bit difficult. If you’re not wanting to negotiate this, then having a wedding day first look may not be for you.
Example Wedding Timelines With and Without A First Look
I could go on and on about how I am completely obsessed with first looks. However, I think it’s important to also see how a wedding day would turn out with or without having a first look.
Wedding Day Timeline With A First Look
11:30 am – Photographers Arrive
11:30 am – 12:30 pm – Flat Lay Details + Getting Ready
12:30 pm – 1:00 pm – You Get Dressed
12:30 pm – 1:20 pm – Your Partner Gets Dressed
1:00 pm – 1:10 pm – First Look with Your Wedding Party
1:10 pm – 1:20 pm – First Look with Your Parent(s)
1:20 pm – 1:30 pm – Clean Up Getting Ready Space
1:30 pm – 2:00 pm – Travel to Photography Location
2:00 pm – 2:10 pm – Gifts/Letters & First Look
2:10 pm – 2:40 pm – Couples Portraits
2:40 pm – 3:10 pm – Wedding Party Photographs
3:10 pm – 3:30 pm – Travel to Ceremony Location
3:30 pm – 4:00 pm – Final Touch-Ups, Line Up
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm – Ceremony
5:00 pm – 5:20 pm – Formal Family Photographs
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm – Cocktail Hour
6:05 pm – 6:10 pm – Grand Entrance
6:10 pm – 6:15 pm – Cake Cutting
6:15 pm – 6:30 pm – First Dances
6:30 pm – 7:15 pm – Dinner Served
6:50 pm – 7:15 pm – Speeches
7:15 pm – Open Dance Floor
7:55 pm – 8:15 pm – Sunset Photographs
8:30 pm – Coverage Ends
Wedding Day Timeline Without A First Look
11:30 am – Photographers Arrive
11:30 am – 12:30 pm – Flat Lay Details + Getting Ready
12:30 pm – 1:00 pm – You Get Dressed
12:30 pm – 1:20 pm – Your Partner Gets Dressed
1:00 pm – 1:10 pm – First Look with Your Wedding Party
1:10 pm – 1:20 pm – First Look with Your Parent(s)
1:20 pm – 1:30 pm – Clean Up Getting Ready Space
1:30 pm – 2:00 pm – Travel to Ceremony Location
2:00 pm – 2:30 pm – Final Touch-Ups, Line Up
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm – Ceremony
3:30 pm – 3:50 pm – Formal Family Photographs
4:00 pm – 4:20 pm – Travel to Photography Location
4:30 pm – 5:00 pm – Couples Portraits
5:00 pm – 5:30 pm – Wedding Party Photographs
5:30 pm – 6:00 pm – Travel to Reception Location
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm – Cocktail Hour
6:05 pm – 6:10 pm – Grand Entrance
6:10 pm – 6:15 pm – Cake Cutting
6:15 pm – 6:30 pm – First Dances
6:30 pm – 7:15 pm – Dinner Served
6:50 pm – 7:15 pm – Speeches
7:15 pm – Open Dance Floor
7:55 pm – 8:15 pm – Sunset Photographs
8:30 pm – Coverage Ends
Should I Have A First Look? | Wedding Day Tips
At the end of the day whether or not you choose to have a first look on your wedding day, it’s completely up to you two. If you ask me, I absolutely love first looks. They provide a period of time where you two have a moment to truly connect before diving back into the chaos of friends and family on your wedding day. They also allow for more flexibility when it comes to planning portraits. As well as often allows you to completely relax after the ceremony since all of the portraits are complete and you can focus on your guests for the rest of the day.
The most important reminder of all though, do what’s best for you, your personalities, and your specific wedding day. Don’t let anyone pressure you into choosing one over the other and enjoy this precious moment to the fullest!
Get In Touch! | Chicago Wedding Photographer
Hey, I’m Emma! A Chicago Wedding and Elopement Photographer ready to document your day in a candid and documentary style. Inquire here and let’s chat through the vision of your wedding day!
