Thinking about having a first look for your wedding day? Personally, I recommend it, for a lot of reasons that you may have not thought about! Here are 5 perks to putting a first look in your wedding day timeline!

1. Have some alone time

Lots of emotions can come up when you and your almost-spouse see each other for the first time on your wedding day. Think about what you want that to look like: Do you want to be able to embrace, giggle, chat about your day so far, and smooch a bunch? Or, do you want to be surrounded by family and friends, all eyes on both of you? Note: Either is perfectly acceptable! Consider the dynamic of your personalities and make the choice that feels right for you.

2. More time for portraits

As your photographer, I’m biased, but this is one of my favorite perks to photographing a wedding with a first look in the timeline. Without a first look, portraits will have to happen after the ceremony. Not a problem, however, there’s typically also lots of other things that need to be accomplished in the short time between the ceremony and the reception. Other than the portraits of you two, you will likely also have family portraits and wedding party portraits. Other than that, you could also use this time between for some alone, wind-down time before the reception if those portraits have already been taken care of!

3. Spend more time with guests

If partying with your guests is one of the bigger priorities of your wedding day, you’ll like this one. If portraits are already taken care of, you can get to the cocktail hour or reception much sooner! I’ve photographed a few weddings where I could tell during portrait time they were antsy to get to partying, and I’m happy to set them free to spend time with their guests! This just results in a bit fewer portraits for their day.

4. You’re looking your best

Let’s make some great use of how fresh your makeup, hair, and attire is right after you get ready! You look your best during a first look (rather than waiting until the ceremony), you’re feeling great, you smell nice and fresh. This is the perfect time to see your significant other on this big day!

5. Calm the nerves

Even the most relaxed couples can definitely experience some nerves on their wedding day, especially leading up to the ceremony! You haven’t seen each other for a while at this point, you want everything to go according to plan. Having a chance to see each other, relax, and calm the nerves together is SO helpful. This is a great moment that reminds you of what the day is about, rather than all of the little details. You’re getting married, get pumped together!