Should I Have a First Look on my Wedding Day?

This is a question almost every bride has when they’re planning their wedding day. Should I go for the traditional first glimpse of my fiance when they’re walking down the aisle, or should I have a more private moment with them before the ceremony? Honestly, there isn’t a right or wrong answer, and no one is going to judge you for it. It’s all about what you prefer. After all, it is your big day isn’t it? There are pros and cons to both options, so let’s take a look at those and hopefully we can help you decide what’s best for you!

Let’s start with waiting until the ceremony before seeing your fiance. This is obviously the more traditional approach. It even comes with it’s own pre-packaged good luck if you wait until then, apparently. However, mess up and accidentally spot each other before you walk down the aisle, and you’re doomed! Whether you believe in that stuff or not, that’s part of the tradition. In a more realistic light, waiting until you walk is often a more climactic experience because you are surrounded by your family and friends when the moment occurs. The entire day is set up to make that moment the peak of anticipation. And if you’re down with setting off the water works with everyone watching, then go for it! It really is a beautiful moment to photograph and film. After all, that’s what we do here at Stories and Stills.

These days, many couples are opting for the first look to take place before the ceremony in a private setting. Sometimes it’s just the two of them and the photographers and videographers from Stories and Stills, and sometimes they decide to include their wedding party. Either way, it provides the bride and groom with a moment where they can take their time to really soak each other in after finally getting to see each other decked out in their wedding day best! It’s definitely a cool photo op for us as well. I will say that I do like the idea of being able to talk openly with your fiance in that moment without the added pressure of being quiet and orderly while standing in the pulpit. It’s not exactly easy to do that when you’ve got A LOT of eyes on you in the ceremony. But then again, if you can ignore the masses and zone in on your fiance, then go for it!

Either way, you can’t go wrong with your decision. After all, it’s YOUR decision and it’s YOUR wedding day. Have fun no matter what, and do what works for you. If you have any questions or want to chat about our experiences, please comment below or contact us directly. Thanks for reading!