The moment the bride and groom see each other for the first time on their wedding day is truly magical! This is true wether you save the grand reveal for the aisle walk or have a “first look” prior to the ceremony. The first look prior to the ceremony is one of our favorite newer traditions, with good reason. This blog post will give you all the benefits that come with having a first look on your wedding day!

Before we move forward, here is one piece of advice that I tell my couples to remember throughout their wedding planning process: There is no right or wrong way to do things on your wedding day! It’s your day, so you get to do whatever you want! You can be as non-traditional (or as traditional) as you’d like! The decision on how you want your day to go and look is ultimately yours and your fiances!

1. You’ll get two amazing reactions from your groom
   
   A first look gives you a chance to be fully present and take in the moment when you see each other for the first time, without the pressure of everyone watching you. I also find that most grooms give a more genuine and more emotional reaction in a private and intimate environment. When the time comes to walk down the aisle you will both be more at ease and excited to tie the knot! And Yes, we’ve gotten the most amazing and sweetest second reactions from our grooms, with the biggest smiles and happy tears!
   
   
2. It helps get the nerves out prior to the ceremony
   
   Having a first look on your wedding day gives you a chance to really take in this special moment and enjoy it. Talking with each other, hugging each other and being present with your future spouse will help you calm your nerves prior to the ceremony. This is also a great time to read your private vows (or letters) to each other before you tie the knot without hundreds of spectators watching you!
   
   
3. It allows you to spend some quiet, alone time together prior to the ceremony
   
   This may be the only time you’ll get to have some alone time together. A first look on your wedding day, prior to the ceremony gives you a chance to breathe, hug, and talk, before your day quickly takes off. This is a great way to spend a little extra time together!
   
   
4. Enjoy more time with each other and your guests
   
   Your wedding day shouldn’t be all about taking photos. Having a first look gives you the ability to have a more flexible timeline and spend more time with each other and your guests! With a first look, you are able to schedule all the wedding party and family portraits prior to ceremony, so you can enjoy most of cocktail hour with your guests! While all your family and friends will start cocktail hour, we’ll pull you away for a quick 10-15 minutes for husband of wife portraits, then you can go right back to enjoying all the hors d’oeuvres you’ve picked out! With a traditional first look, family, wedding party and husband and wife portraits usually take up cocktail hour fully.
   
   
5. You get more photos
   
   Having a first look allows you to maximize your time with your photographer. My couples who choose to see each other before the wedding usually get double the amount of bride and groom photos on their wedding day and they find it lot more relaxed and enjoyable because we aren’t rushing to get all of the photos done in a short window between ceremony and reception. We can take our time and you two can simply enjoy being together on your happiest day! We’ll do bride and groom photos after the first look, then we’ll do wedding party and family formals. After these are done you will get to go inside and freshen up and get ready for ceremony. After ceremony we’ll pull you away for some quick husband and wife portraits (usually at golden hour!). Doing most of formal portraits prior to ceremony means you’ll also get to enjoy your friends and family during cocktails hour (which also means more candid shots!).

Thank you for reading our blog on 5 reasons to consider a first look on your wedding day!

Hi there and thank you for stopping by! I’m Bela, owner of Bela Freire Photography, a wedding photographer based in South Florida. I hope you found the blog on why you should have a first look on your wedding day helpful! If have any questions or you are interested in talking with me about your wedding day, let’s connect! Not quite ready, but know you want to keep me in your back pocket? No problem! Follow me on Instagram and let’s be friends!

South Florida Wedding Photographer, Bela Freire, has had her work featured by The Unscripted App for photographers, Mastin Labs, as well through local businesses. Bela offers wedding photography to couples who want to enjoy their wedding day to the fullest. Bela wants you to have the best time on your wedding day and that you relive it all over again, every time you look back at your photos. YES – all the giggles, happy tears and belly laughs included!