This is part of my For Brides series. To read other articles in the series click the links below!

Part 1: What to Wear
Part 2: 3 Ways to Rock Your Engagement Session
Part 3: The Getting Ready Room

The first look is a trend that has become popular among brides where instead of waiting until the ceremony, the Bride and Groom see each other before hand and have a moment with just the two of them (and their photographer/videographer) in a location at their venue. They still have a “reveal” of the groom seeing the bride for the first time but it is several hours before the ceremony. There are both pros and cons to the first look and I’m going to lay a few of them out here so you can decide for yourself what you think! The most important thing to remember is don’t do a first look because it is a popular trend right now but because it makes the most sense to you and your fiance.

Okay so the Pro’s:

• The first look is normally right after you get into your dress so your hair and makeup is fresh and will look the best that it will all day.
• You get more time for pictures. After the moment with just your groom you can then take all your family pictures as well as bridal party and bride and groom portraits so that this doesn’t have to be done after the ceremony.
• Therefore, you can attend cocktail hour and have more time to visit with all your guests.
• There is less stress during picture time to fit everything in during the hour between the ceremony and reception.
• Family formals are more calm
• You can choose to go to different locations to take portraits since you have more time
• It is an intimate moment with your groom and you get some alone time to spend together and enjoy each other on your wedding day.
• Since you’ve seen your groom you will be less nervous and relaxed during your ceremony.

To summarize, doing a first look gives you some time to pause and spend time with your fiance on this busy day as well as giving you more time and options for pictures.

But there are some Con’s as well:

• If When your timeline runs late you will have to give up some portrait time to make up for it.
• Family almost always runs late, so you may have to wait on them for some family formals, whereas after the ceremony they’ll already be there.
• You are not following the tradition of waiting until the isle so you have to ask yourself will the isle still be special?
• You may feel rushed to get pictures done during cocktail hour.
• Your locations for pictures are limited because of time.
• There are very high expectations emotionally for the first look up that may or may not happen and the first look can appear staged.

To summarize, expectations are high and you need to decide if the “isle” moment will still be special? Also you can loose time if you need to wait on family members or your timeline runs late.

In the end there are a few things to remember: It is your decision to make with your fiance. Feel free to ask for advice but make sure you talk the decision over with him and decide together. It could be that he is very traditional and wants the first moment he sees you to be as you walk down the isle. Don’t do it because everyone else is or you feel your pictures won’t be as good. Trust me, I am still going to get amazing images for you that reflect your wedding day no matter when we do them. That’s why we talk over your timeline and figure out the pictures you want together so that you have amazing memories from that day. So leaving out the picture pros and cons you just need to decide how you want your day to flow and what is important for you and your fiance.

I would love to hear what you think! Are you doing a first look? Or did you do one? What is your preference? Comment below to start the discussion on your opinion of first looks!