First Look Pros and Cons | Canadian Wedding Photographer

The question everyone has – first look or no first look? Now I cannot tell you which one is best – they both have their pros and cons! But I can give you a photographer’s point of view on them both!

PROS & CONS TO A FIRST LOOK

Here is the thing, having a first look on your wedding day has a lot of benefits to it. And as much as I want to do jot notes and make these points quick – some need some background! So here they are.

• If you or your fiancé are nervous about the ceremony. Whether that is saying your vows or just being in front of a crowd in general, a first look can calm the nerves!
• You get to spend more time with each other on your wedding day! If you plan to do a first look and photos prior to your ceremony you will be with each other for 75% of the day!
• You have the opportunity to do private vows with each other
• Emotions RUN during first looks. This is almost entirely because it is just the two of you (and your third wheel photographer). There is no reason to try to fight emotions.
• Your fiancé can still have a reaction while you walk down the aisle – that is a whole different view and experience!
• It can often free up your timeline and make your day run smoother (this entirely depends on your ceremony time and if you choose to do formals before or after the ceremony!

If I am being fully honest a first look as more pros than cons! Some downsides you may want to consider are:

• You may not get a reaction while you are walking down the aisle! (But you could get both!)
• Depending on your timeline you may still have to do formal photos after the ceremony. For example: if your ceremony is at 2:00 but your first look is at 1:00 you won’t have all your formal photos done before the ceremony.

PROS & CONS TO NO FIRST LOOK

Just like having a first look there are pros and cons to not having one as well! (I hope I am helping and not making this decision harder for you!)

Not having a first look is often the traditional way of doing things! It keeps all the butterflies and emotions to that moment you are walking down the aisle! So here are some pros and cons!

• Not having a first look may allow for your fiancé to have a larger reaction down the aisle
• Your friends and family get to witness that moment
• You may get more time to get ready!

There are more benefits to having a first look for the general flow of your day – just depending on your timeline. But the same could also go towards not having one! If your timeline is feeling crammed – you finish getting ready at 1:00 but your ceremony is at 2:00 you may feel too rushed to go to a location for a first look! 

When it comes to the cons of not having a first look there is not many! The main thing really comes down to your timeline! That is the only thing it could really deter! Fully depending on how you line your day up, you may feel like the timeframe between your ceremony and reception is too quick and you wouldn’t get as many formal photos (or different locations) done. Or maybe you want to attend your cocktail hour – but you only have an hour between your ceremony and cocktail hour to get photos done. So while you are planning your timeline out really look at the time between your ceremony and reception!