Should You Do a First Look on Your Wedding Day?

If you’ve started mapping out your wedding day timeline, chances are the question of a first look has come up. Do you see each other before the ceremony, or wait until the walk down the aisle? Both choices have their own benefits and drawbacks, and understanding them can make your decision a whole lot easier. As a Sydney Wedding Photographer we want to walk you through the process, so you can easily determine what’s wright for you.

What Is a First Look?

A first look is a private moment where the couple sees each other before the ceremony begins. It’s usually arranged in a quiet, secluded spot somewhere at your venue, with your photographer (and sometimes videographer) capturing the reactions.

Traditionally, couples waited until the ceremony to see one another. That “aisle reveal” has been a staple of weddings for generations. But in recent years, first looks have become increasingly popular. They don’t replace the aisle moment, they just create a different type of memory: one that’s more private, personal, and less pressured by an audience.

Some couples laugh, cry, or simply hug each other in silence. Others use the first look to exchange private vows or small gifts. It can be as simple or as meaningful as you want it to be.

The Benefits or Pros of Doing a First Look

There are plenty of reasons couples choose to include a first look in their day.

• Calms nerves  –  Weddings can feel like a blur of nerves and excitement. Seeing each other beforehand gives you a chance to relax, connect, and shake off some of that nervous energy before the ceremony.

• More time with guests – Many couples find that portraits before the ceremony ease the schedule. Instead of squeezing all your formal photos into cocktail hour, you can enjoy that time with your guests.

• Time Constraints – Venues can often dictate the time of your ceremony which can sometimes result in there not being enough daylight left for your bridal portraits post ceremony. Having a first look can give you the opportunity to have your portraits done before the ceremony.

• Two emotional moments – Some couples worry that a first look will “ruin” the aisle moment. In reality, most experience both, the quiet intimacy of the private reveal, and then the high-energy excitement of the aisle walk.

• Privacy – A first look often becomes the only time during the wedding day when you’ll be completely alone together. For couples who want a quiet pause in the chaos, this can be invaluable.

• Private vows – A first look gives you the chance to exchange some of your own vows in a quiet, intimate setting, without the nerves or pressure of speaking in front of all your guests.

The Drawbacks or Cons of a First Look

Of course, a first look isn’t without its downsides. It’s important to consider the practical factors as well as the emotional ones.

• Hair & makeup risks – Weather earlier in the day, like wind, humidity, heat, or rain – can affect how you look before the ceremony even begins.

• Dress concerns – If the ground is dirty, damp, muddy, or dusty, your gown could get dirty during portraits. That’s not ideal before walking down the aisle.

• Harsher light for photo – First look portraits often take place in the late morning or early afternoon, when the sun is high in the sky. This light is often harsher, harder to work with and less flattering compared to late afternoon or golden hour sunlight. 

• Loss of tradition – If you’ve always dreamed of seeing each other for the first time at the ceremony, a first look changes that. For some couples, tradition is too important to give up.

• Earlier start – A first look means you’ll need to be ready earlier. Hair and makeup schedules may need to start sooner, which can feel like added pressure on top of an already busy day.

How to Decide If a First Look Is Right for You

There’s no right or wrong answer – it comes down to your priorities as a couple.

• If there are time constraints and light may be an issue or you value calm and privacy, a first look could be a great idea.

• If you prefer tradition, the best light, and keeping your look fresh for the ceremony, waiting until the aisle might be better.

It helps to imagine both scenarios:

• Can you see yourselves taking a deep breath together, away from everyone else, and letting the moment sink in?

• Or do you picture the anticipation building, the doors opening, and the powerful reveal happening in front of your guests?

Both are beautiful, just in different ways.

My Experience as a Wedding Photographer

I’ve photographed couples who chose a first look, and couples who didn’t. The emotions are always genuine. A first look creates intimacy and calm – a quiet pause before the celebration begins. An aisle reveal creates anticipation and drama – the moment everyone is waiting for.

From my perspective, both are equally photogenic, just in different ways. Every wedding is different, so the key is to choose the option that feels true to you and that works for the day you have planned. My role as a wedding photographer is to capture the emotions as they happen, no matter when that may be.

Final Thoughts

First looks are not about following trends or breaking tradition. They’re simply an option, one more way to shape your wedding day so it feels like yours.

Whether you choose the privacy of a first look or the tradition of the aisle reveal, that first moment seeing each other will always be unforgettable.

At the end of the day, if you still aren’t sure what’s truely right for you, then get in touch with us here and we can help you through the process.