As wedding photographers who have had the honor of capturing countless love stories, we can’t help but gush about the wonders of a first look on your wedding day. Seriously, it’s an experience that can hold immense value and be a truly magical moment. So grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and let’s chat about why we wholeheartedly recommend embracing the enchantment of a first look. If you’re not into the idea, stick around until the end where we’ll let you off the hook by sharing some reasons you might want to forego a first look.

Connecting on a Deeper Level

Picture this: You and your partner, in a serene setting away from the prying eyes of guests, sharing a private moment before the ceremony. It’s a time to embrace, to exchange heartfelt words, and to soak in the magnitude of the day you’ve both been eagerly awaiting. A first look fosters an intimate connection that sets the tone for the rest of the day. It’s a chance to pause, breathe, and savor the love you share in a quiet and meaningful way. When the first time you see each other is in front of your 150 wedding guests during the ceremony, the privacy and intimacy just isn’t quite the same. The groom fully can’t express how gorgeous the bride looks when the officiant has business to attend to.

More Time Together

One of the fantastic perks of a first look is that it allows you and your partner to spend more time together on your wedding day. Think about it: With the traditional timeline, you wouldn’t see each other until you’re walking down the aisle. But with a first look, you get an extra pocket of time to revel in each other’s presence. You can exchange laughs, share personal moments, and build excitement for the journey you’re about to embark on. It’s like a mini-date before the official festivities begin! Whether during the first look itself or taking a portion of cocktail hour to escape and be together, you can actually have a conversation about your day—alone. Many brides have expressed that their wedding day flies by too quickly, leaving no time for each other. A first look provides an opportunity to reclaim some of that time.

A Relaxed and Stress-Free Day

Let’s be real here: Weddings can be overwhelming. There’s a flurry of activities, a whirlwind of emotions, and a million things happening at once. It’s easy to get caught up in the chaos and feel a little frazzled. But guess what? A first look is like a little oasis of calm in the midst of it all. It gives you and your partner a chance to step back, breathe, and enjoy a few stress-free moments together. You can take a moment to appreciate the love and excitement without any distractions, allowing you to truly relish every minute of your special day. No more immense pressure as you wait for the ceremony. Later on, it gives you the freedo to decide how you want to spend cocktail hour. Do you want to mingle with your guests? Take more photos? Relax in solitude? The choice is yours. Your family and wedding party also will thank you because they’ll be able to join the cocktail hour immediately following the ceremony.

Now To The Logistics

If you’ve hired us to photograph your wedding, we know that having incredible photos is a high priority to you. We are eager to get you the absolute best photos possible and a first look allows us to do that. Here’s why:

• You’ll get many, many more photos of the two of you because we’ll have way more portrait time.
• Let’s be real, it rains in Florida a lot. A first look gives us one more chance to avoid likely rainstorms.
• For a late fall or winter ceremony (~5:30pm sunset time), the optimal lighting for us to capture photos will actually be before your 4pm ceremony. We like to take photos before the sun drops below the horizon so that we can get that dreamy and angelic sun flare you’ve seen on our Instagram and website.
• The brides hair and makeup will be way more fresh than after your ceremony when you may or may not have been crying.
• With a first look, we have way more flexibility with what locations we can use for your photos. We have venture further from the ceremony location (a nearby park, the golf course, another side of a large venue) than if we only had 20 minutes to capture all of your bride & groom portraits.
• We’re able to choose a spot with optimal lighting for a first look, while your ceremony may not have perfect lighting.

…but it might not be for you.

As you can see, we’re big supporters of the first look. That being said, no judgment here if you decide not to do one! Many brides have always dreamed of her groom seeing her for the first time when she walks down the aisle. This moment really can be truly magical. The buildup of emotions, the exchange of vows, and the support of your loved ones create a truly powerful experience. By opting for a first look, you may dilute that extraordinary moment of anticipation and awe. Here’s a little secret: we didn’t do a first look at our wedding. We don’t regret it. Joel lost it when Sammy came down the aisle and we wouldn’t trade that moment for the world.

Whether you choose a first look or embrace the traditional reveal, we’ll be there to capture the precious moments, genuine emotions, and the immense joy that will fill your wedding day. We’ll support you either way and help make your day the best day ever. Remember, your wedding day is all about celebrating your love story. The most important thing is to follow your hearts and make choices that resonate with you as a couple.