Why I Recommend a First Look on Your Wedding Day

A wedding first look is one of the most meaningful choices you can make for your wedding day. It creates space for calm, connection, and intentional moments that would otherwise feel rushed. Many couples imagine seeing each other for the first time at the aisle, and there is beauty in that moment too. But a first look gives you something equally special while also giving your entire day more room to breathe.

If you are deciding whether a first look is right for you, here are the reasons I recommend it and the benefits couples appreciate most.

More Time for Photos

One of the biggest advantages of a wedding first look is how it impacts your timeline. Instead of squeezing every portrait into the short time between the ceremony and reception, we get to space your photos throughout the day. This helps the entire experience feel calmer and more enjoyable.

A wedding first look is especially helpful if:

Your ceremony is in a Catholic church that restricts our time in the church as they prepare for the Vigil Mass
It’s winter time and we want natural light for portraits before the sun sets
You want a relaxed timeline that ensures you, your family and your wedding party don’t feel rushed

By starting portraits earlier in the day, we have more calm and flexibility in the timeline. You end up with more photos, more variety, and more time to enjoy the moments instead of managing a tight schedule.

More Time With Your Guests

Most couples care deeply about being present with the people who came to celebrate with them. A wedding first look gives you the gift of time by freeing up your post-ceremony schedule.

When portraits are taken earlier, you have space to:

Greet guests more intentionally
Enjoy your receiving line without feeling pressure
Attend more of your cocktail hour
Start dinner earlier
Begin the dance sooner and enjoy the celebration

Instead of racing through photos after the ceremony, you get to relax and be part of the joy happening around you.

More Time With Each Other

When couples imagine their wedding day, they picture being together, sharing moments, and soaking in everything side by side. But without a wedding first look, you often spend half the day avoiding each other instead of enjoying it together.

A first look allows you to breathe, slow down, and enjoy a private moment together before the busyness begins. Many couples say it was the moment that grounded them and made the whole day feel real.

A first look also helps calm nerves. Instead of seeing each other for the first time in front of a full church with Mass about to begin, you can take your time, cry if you want to, laugh, hug, and let the emotions unfold naturally. It is quiet, private, and deeply meaningful.

When an Aisle Reveal Works Well

If you still prefer to wait for the moment at the aisle, that choice can work wonderfully too. An aisle reveal can be a great fit depending on your timeline, season, and church.

An aisle reveal can work well if:

Your ceremony starts earlier in the day, usually between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
You have a summer wedding date with plenty of sunlight after the ceremony
Your family size, wedding party size, and guest list are on the smaller side

If your wedding day naturally has plenty of time and light, an aisle reveal can be a beautiful option without adding stress to the schedule.

Choosing What Feels Right for You

A first look is not required, but it is something I recommend because of how it benefits your photos, your timeline, and your experience. My goal is always to help create a calm, joyful, and meaningful day for you. Whether you choose a first look or an aisle reveal, we’ll work together to build a timeline that fits your priorities and honors what matters most to you.

What is most important is choosing the option that feels true to your relationship, your vision, and your wedding day values.