The First Look Debate

Should the bride and groom see each other before the ceremony?

By Natalie Tsang

October 26, 2011

The First Look is a photo session that captures the bride and groom seeing each other for the first time before the ceremony. It usually shows the groom's reaction to seeing his bride in her wedding dress. This usually results in photographs that are private, romantic, and often emotional.

The main counterargument against the first look is that it’s not traditional and you lose the moment of first seeing each other for the first time walking down the aisle. Not to mention that it’s considered bad luck. This is a very personal decision, and if you do not want to lose the intimacy of your groom seeing you for the first time in your wedding gown surrounded by friends and family, then a First Look session may be out of the question.

However, it’s become trendy to break or re-interpret traditions. Many brides regret not having a First Look, because they instinctively want to hug, kiss, or talk to their groom. Instead, they have to go through the ceremony and some have a hard time concentrating. Photographers tend to agree that brides and grooms who do have a First Look session are often less stressed than couples who don’t.

The main theory behind this is that the First Look allows you to get rid of most of the formal photos beforehand (bride and bridesmaids, bride and parents, bridal party, etc.) so you have a more flexible schedule. The first meeting is also very intimate and the First Look allows you a few special moments to interact rather than bottling those feelings up.

First Looks are especially practical for winter weddings, because of the shortage of natural light. In pictures, the makeup and hair also seems fresher. This difference is noticeable during warm summer weddings.

Traditional Timeline

- Getting ready shots of bride and groom

- Groom and Groomsmen shots

- Bride and Bridesmaids shots

- Ceremony

- Family Formals – during cocktail hour

- Bridal Party together – during cocktail hour

- Romantics – during cocktail hour

- Reception

First Look Timeline

- Getting ready shots of bride and groom

- First Look – few romantics

- Family Formals

- Whole Bridal Party plus Bride with Bridesmaids/Groom with Groomsmen

- Ceremony

- Romantics – during the first half of cocktail hour

- Bride and Groom entrance during last half of cocktail hour/spend a few minutes by themselves/or keep on shooting romantics and more creative bridal party photos until reception time.

- Reception