Should you do a first look?
First looks are one of the biggest controversies in the wedding industry, and I want to preface by saying that I am all for whatever you want to do on your day and I will make it happen, BUT... just hear me out on the benefits of doing a first look!
First, you get some alone time with your partner!
Wedding days get so busy and for the couple, before you know it, the whole day slips away and you've barely seen each other or have been alone at all. There are other ways to build in some alone time to your schedule, but first looks can just be so sweet. You can have your photographer and videographer there for content and then even read your vows privately if you'd like and then just have some time to prepare for the day with your favorite person.
Then, you get to take all your photos together!
If you both get ready at the venue, you can get your couples portraits and even your wedding party photos taken after you do your first look. This saves so much time for the schedule of the day and actually lets you join your cocktail hour! Take it from me, after your ceremony, you just want to be DONE with pictures and sit down to eat, really.
However, it may mean you getting ready a tad earlier...
But, if you wanted, you could get ready before the people in your wedding party so that they can still be getting ready while you're doing your first look!
Overall, I just think the reactions are better when it's time alone with you two rather than being in front of a lot of people, and I think it makes the whole day more efficient! Here are sample timelines with and without a first look:
WEDDING TIMELINE WITH FIRST LOOK
9:00 AM START GETTING READY
2:00 PM PARTNER 1 & PARTY PHOTOS
2:20 PM PARTNER 2 & PARTY PHOTOS
2:50 PM FIRST LOOK & COUPLE PHOTOS
3:20 PM FULL WEDDING PARTY PHOTOS
3:50 PM IN ROOMS BEFORE CEREMONY
4:30 PM CEREMONY
5:00 PM COCKTAIL HOUR / FAMILY PHOTOS
5:45 PM BRIDE GROOM ANNOUNCEMENT/SPECIAL DANCES
6:00 PM DINNER
6:40 PM TOAST ANNOUNCEMENT TO BEGIN RECEPTION
7:30 PM CAKE CUTTING
9:30 PM VENUE ACCESS ENDS
WEDDING TIMELINE WITHOUT FIRST LOOK
10:00 AM START GETTING READY
3:00 PM PARTNER 1 & PARTY PHOTOS
3:20 PM PARTNER 2 & PARTY PHOTOS
3:45PM IN ROOM BEFORE CEREMONY
4.30PM CEREMONY
5.00PMCOCKTAIL HOUR / COUPLE WEDDING PARTY /FAMILY PHOTO
6.00PM BRIDE GROOM ANNOUNCEMENT/SPECIAL DANCES
6:15 PM DINNER
6:40 PM TOAST ANNOUNCEMENT TO BEGIN RECEPTION
7:30 PM CAKE CUTTING
9:30 PM VENUE ACCESS ENDS
