Maine & NH Wedding Photographer // Should You Do a First Look? The Real Pros, Cons, and Photographer Truth Bombs

So you’re planning your wedding and someone (your planner, your photographer, your Pinterest board, or your cousin who got married in 2019) drops the ol' “Are you doing a first look?” question.

Cue the dramatic internal debate:
Do we see each other before the ceremony? Won’t it ruin the moment?
Will it feel less special?

Okay. Let’s slow the roll and break it down like the calm, collected (and wildly photogenic) humans you are.

As your favorite laid-back photographer who’s been to a lot of weddings, here’s my take:
Either way is cool.
I don’t push one over the other. What I do care about? That we make a plan that works for YOU and everyone knows what’s up.

Let’s get into the good, the tricky, and the stuff no one tells you on TikTok.

The Pros of Doing a First Look

1. You Get the Family Formal Chaos Done Early
No chasing Uncle Bob during cocktail hour. No sweating in your tux trying to wrangle grandma post-ceremony.
We knock out the family formals before the ceremony, when everyone’s fresh, (mostly) on time, and not halfway into their second glass of prosecco.

2. You Still Have an Emotional Moment at the Aisle
Worried it won’t “feel the same” when you walk down the aisle? Don’t.
Spoiler alert: the emotions still hit.
You’re surrounded by your people, the music swells, and suddenly—BAM—you're crying into your bouquet anyway. The first look doesn’t rob you of that. It just gives you a bonus emotional moment before all 130 guests are watching.

3. Cocktail Hour = Actually Yours
When family formals are done early, guess what? You can actually go to your cocktail hour. Crazy, I know.
Sip a drink. Eat the bacon-wrapped scallop you paid for. Hug your people. You earned that freedom.

4. Time for Personal Vows or a Quiet Moment
Want to say private vows without a mic and an audience? Want to just breathe together before the madness kicks in?
The first look is the perfect little pause in your day where you two can connect, laugh, cry, or scream “WE’RE GETTING MARRIED!” in each other’s faces.

The Cons of Doing a First Look

1. Noon Light Is the Devil’s Spotlight
Let’s be real—midday light can be harsh and unflattering.
But don’t worry—I’ve got tricks, trees, and angles up my sleeve.
And I still pull you for golden hour portraits when the light is all soft and dreamy. So no matter what, you’re getting those stunners for the 'gram.

2. You’ve Gotta Be Ready Earlier
If your ceremony is at 4PM, and we want to do first look + family formals beforehand, we might be starting photos at 1PM.
Translation: Hair and makeup need to be done before lunch.
But don’t panic—we’ll build a timeline that makes this not suck. Just hydrate and maybe bring a snack.

3. Some Guests May Need to Be There Earlier
If family is included in pre-ceremony formals, they need to arrive earlier too. Which means you’ll need to give them a heads-up. We’ll communicate the time and place so they’re not wandering the parking lot while we’re trying to take group photos.

Do a first look? Great.
Don’t do a first look? Also great.
Just don’t wing it.

As long as we put it in the timeline, give family the details, and plan with intention, you’re golden.
My job is to make whatever you choose run smoothly—and make you look like a freakin’ dream doing it.

Let’s work together to make a timeline that fits your vision and your reality. That way, you can focus on the important stuff: getting married and having a damn good time.

Need help deciding what’s right for you? I’m here for it. Hit me up with your questions—I’ve seen it all, and I’ve got opinions (the helpful kind).