You may not know this, but there are actually two main versions of a wedding photography timeline. One is a more traditional timeline and one includes this thing called a “First Look.”

A “traditional” wedding timeline keeps the bride and groom separate so that the first time they see each other on their wedding day is when the bride walks down the aisle during the ceremony. Photographically, this means that the majority of your wedding photos must happen post-ceremony during the time when your guests are enjoying a cocktail or appetizer hour.

Now, what the HECK is a “First Look!?”

A First Look is a private moment between the bride and groom (with their photographer there to snap a few photos, of course) pre-ceremony where they see each other for the first time. Doing this private “First Look” moment allows for almost all of the portraits to be done pre-ceremony and thus the couple can usually join their guests for the last half of cocktail hour after the marriage license is signed and any remaining family portraiture is concluded.

Now, the biggest objection to doing a less than traditional “First Look'“ is the concern that it takes away some of the magic of the ceremony. So, if this is your initial reaction to considering a First Look timeline, it is completely understandable. However, as a photographer whose clients choose a “First Look” timeline about 90% of the time, I have collected a lot of experience and information about the benefits of a “First Look” and the unexpected magic that comes from doing them.

So, before you write off a “First Look” for your wedding, check out these benefits and then you can make a fully informed decision knowing all of the data!

Benefit #1

Bigger Reaction.

After experiencing my own wedding and shooting over 200 others I’ve come to this conclusion. Some brides love “traditions” but what a bride REALLY wants when it comes to her groom seeing her for the first time, is a REACTION.

Those who are not interested in a First Look usually think that by seeing each other beforehand, they will lose part of that reaction. They also assume that it will not be as emotional or as intimate as it would be if they were coming down the aisle. What I have found is actually just the opposite!

Everyone knows that wedding days are a bit stressful for the bride and groom. The whole day is focused on them, they need to look their best, they need to be on time, the groom has no idea what side the boutonniere is supposed to go on and little by little... the tension grows.

It’s before the ceremony and the gravity of what is about to happen starts to sink in and the calm, collected groom who was playing golf just a few short hours ago is now starting to feel a little anxious.

So what happens next? The groom waits in a little room somewhere for his que from the coordinator. It seems like it’s taking FOREVER. Finally, the coordinator leans her head in and hurries the groom to get ready. With clammy hands, the groom enters the ceremony and what does he find? He finds anywhere from 80-300 people and they’re all looking where? Right at his face! Everyone has expectations and anticipation about his first reaction and thus are excitedly gazing in his direction.

This is the farthest thing from a private, intimate moment and often time this leads to a more conservative reaction, simply from all the pressure and all the eyes on him (I’m sure you’ve experienced stage fright before, right!?).

When you do a First Look it is a private moment between the two of you. He is allowed to react fully and without any introversion from being in front of so many people.

It’s just you, his best friend, his forever person; someone he doesn’t need to be guarded around. When you are with someone you really trust you are more able to just be you, and this leads to a bigger and truer reaction to seeing you for the first time.

During a private First Look he can reach for you, he can hug you, he can cry, and he can twirl you around to see any cool details in the back of your dress. You can even show him your awesome shoes, and he can show off his silly socks.

During a First Look you two can just experience and enjoy this moment . . . together, in the way that is truest to you and your relationship.

Benefit #2

Bigger Reaction!

Wait, what? Kate, you are repeating yourself.

I know, I know, but hear me out. THIS bigger reaction is AFTER the First Look and when you are walking down the aisle during your ceremony.

Wait what? Kate, you’re telling me that my groom is going to have a BIGGER reaction to seeing me come down the aisle after he’s already seen me?

Yup. That’s exactly what I’m saying.

You see, in a traditional ceremony the groom’s nerves are totally pumped up from all the built up anticipation of the day. Grooms normally become incredibly nervous on wedding days.... even if they seem cool and collected and even if they are a pretty easy-going guy in most normal situations.

When all those nerves are added to standing in front of 100 pairs of eyes all looking at him, well… let’s just say it would be understandable that from all the nerves and expectations he might not be able to truly be himself during the ceremony, right?

With a First Look, your groom gets to see you in a moment of private where he can react any way he wants. You get to be by his side for hours leading up to the ceremony, and all your friends are there together with you having fun and joking around during portraits and even just relaxing together in the moments just before the ceremony.

By the time the coordinator invites him to start walking up to the head of the aisle, your man is calm and relaxed. He’s filled with the love you’ve shown him all morning and the nerves are calmed and all that remains is just an excitement that this moment has finally arrived.

As you enter and he sees you walking toward him his smile gets larger and larger and since he’s relaxed he can truly be himself during this moment, his real reaction to this moment is allowed to shine through. All the eyes of your guests just fade to the background and all he sees is you, his gorgeous bride, and then you get a TRUE reaction. He is calm enough to let his emotions show and as you reach for his hand, the entire room gets to share in his experience that this moment is here and he is completely present to enjoy it in a way that is truly him.

Benefit #3

Get some Alone Time on your Wedding Day!

First Looks allow you to be TOGETHER and alone on your wedding day. When Dominic and I saw each other during our First Look not only was it intimate, it was our only time to be alone the whole day! We cried and laughed and cried some more... and then that put us in the PERFECT mood for our romantic portraits.

In a traditional timeline, bridal photos are a little rushed after the family formal portraits, and it can be hard to really get back into that “lovey dovey” mode.... especially with family around! When you have just shared your first look, you’re READY to love on each other! As a photographer, I always capture some super sweet images during bridal portraits just after the First Look and the candid love you are feeling in that moment really comes out in photos in a way you are going to love!

Have you ever looked at a photo of yourself and rather than responding to how the photo looks, you are reminded of how you felt and what was going on at that moment in your life?

One of the biggest reasons photographs are so special to us is that they bring back the emotions of that moment in our lives. Especially at weddings, 99% of my Kate Holt Couples ask me to photograph their weddings in a way that captures all the joy and emotions of that day so that when they look back at the photos from their day they are brought back to the feeling they felt with their partner, family and friends.

When you choose a traditional photography timeline, the portraits you share with your partner are the last in the long list of family photos, wedding party photos and then bridal portraits of just the two of you. Most people try to get all of these photos done in one hour while the guests are entertained by cocktails and appetizers which is very tight, leading to a feeling of being rushed or a bit stressed.

If family formal portraits take longer since you have to round up Uncle Bob who went to the bathroom, or if one of your groomsmen is missing because he went to grab drinks, making wedding party portraits run long your bridal portraiture time could be cut significantly and you’ll be racing the clock to make it to your grand entrance on time. This can make for a stressful feeling, and lead to that feeling being re-lived whenever you look at these portraits.

Instead of remembering how rushed you felt or how worried and stressed you were about getting to your reception on time so the food you spent so much money on could be served in a timely manner, what if your couple portraits were done first, and you were at your most relaxed? All you would feel when looking back at them is that excitement of seeing your love for the first time and starting your wedding day together!

You invest a lot in your wedding photography. Most people rank it as one of the most important aspects of the day even! Using a “First Look” is one of the best ways to ensure you get the photos and the emotional feeling from your photos that you deserve.

Benefit #4

More Time!

First Looks allow you to extend your wedding day by hours and here is why: with a traditional timeline the wedding day would start when you come down the aisle. Then the ceremony would end, you would rush through portraits so that you’re not late for the introductions and then it’s reception time.

With a First look, your wedding day is extended by almost 3 hours!

Instead of being rushed through your wedding party portraits in 10 minutes post-ceremony, you actually get to enjoy them and have fun hanging out with your BEST friends on your wedding day.

You have time for more than just the “look at the camera and smile” images. You can laugh and joke without causing stress that you aren’t getting through these images quick enough, and the whole experience is way more enjoyable for everyone.

You also end up getting many candid shots of everyone just hanging out and joking in between different poses. The WHOLE first half of my client’s wedding albums are filled with images just from this time together before the ceremony!

Doing a majority of your portraits pre-ceremony also gives you the option to be able to hang out with your guests during the last half of the cocktail hour!

Most receptions begin with the bride and groom’s entrance and the serving of dinner. Your guests are so excited for you and want to share their congrats, so while you are trying to eat your meal, family and friends will come up to you for hugs and congratulations, making all of these beautiful interactions slightly more awkward as you try to navigate enjoying seeing your friends and family and trying to eat so you don’t starve to death and pass out on the dance floor. (Okay, maybe that’s a little dramatic, but you get what I mean!)

When you get to attend your cocktail hour you get to hug and celebrate with your guests in a much more comfortable space where everyone is already milling about talking and you aren’t distracted by the delicious meal before you.

Benefit #5

More Portraits!

You’re investing a lot into your wedding photography. With a First look, you’ll receive 40% MORE portraits of the two of you! Your Bridal Portraits are those images you will print out for your family and decorate your first home with (Believe me, our house is PACKED full of our portraits!).

With a traditional timeline, your Bridal Portraits are squeezed in with whatever time is left after your family photos and wedding party photos are finished. When you do a First Look you not only get portraits before your ceremony, but also a few just following your ceremony, and you can even sneak away from your reception for 10 minutes as the sun sets for golden hour portraits! This also breaks up your Bridal Portraits so that you won’t get “smile fatigue” from a straight hour of doing all your photos directly following your ceremony as is the case in a traditional wedding timeline.

With a First look, you make the most out of your photography investment and get the most for your money!

I hope with all of the above you feel more informed and can make the decision that is best for you and your wedding!

I also want to add in that even though this blog lists out all the benefits of a First Look, as a photographer I in no way insist my couples do a First Look and I still have about 10% of couples who go the more traditional route, and that is fantastic too!

This is YOUR wedding, and you should choose the timeline that YOU want.

I just wanted to give you the benefits of a First Look so that if any of the above is very important to you, you can make the best decision with confidence!

If you are still on the fence and have further questions about wedding timelines, check out my blog on timelines here or drop me a note! I love helping brides which is why I’ve spent so much time to put together a large “Wedding Education” blog series to help in all things wedding!