Your Guide to First Look Wedding Photos
Whether you want to calm your nerves before your ceremony or simply enjoy an intimate moment with your fiance, organising a “First Look” can be a beautiful way to kick off your wedding celebrations.
But what exactly does a First Look involve, and where does it fit into your wedding day timeline?
Keep reading as we walk you through the process of organising a First Look on your wedding day, including our top tips to help you make the most out of your photos!
What is a First Look?
Traditionally, couples would wait until their wedding ceremony to see each other for the first time. A “First Look” is an alternative option where you and your soon-to-be hubby or wife share this moment together privately before the ceremony begins (with your photographer there to capture all of the emotions!).
Is a First Look right for you?
First Look’s can be a fantastic option for some couples, depending on your personality and vision for the day. Some couples love the tradition of locking eyes for the first time walking down the aisle, while others may prefer the intimacy of a more private setting.
Not sure whether you want a First Look? Here are some of the most popular reasons to consider one for your nuptials:
Calm your nerves. The lead-up to your wedding ceremony can be quite daunting, particularly for couples who may be uncomfortable in the spotlight. A First Look can be a great way to calm your nerves by taking some pressure off you before the ceremony.
Spend more time with your guests. Organising a First Look photo session means you can spend more time with your guests during cocktail hour, instead of heading straight off for your portraits. This might be important to you if you have friends or family who have travelled to attend your wedding. Tip: We still recommend sneaking out for some portraits later in the afternoon during “golden hour” to take advantage of the dreamy lighting.
Intimate and private. First Look’s are intimate, filled with emotion and incredibly beautiful! There’s something pretty special about sharing a quiet moment together - just the two of you - before the craziness of your wedding day begins.
Fresh hair and makeup. A First Look also gives you the opportunity to capture photos with fresh hair and makeup, so you’re guaranteed to be looking your best!
How to organise a First Look on your wedding day
Okay, so you’ve decided you want to organise a First Look for your wedding. What now?
Here are some of the most common FAQs we receive about First Look photos, and our suggestions for making the most out of them.
Where does a First Look fit into my wedding day timeline?
Timing-wise, your First Look should take place between 1-2 hours prior to your ceremony, depending on the distance from your venue or if your first look will be on site at the venue. We recommend allocating at least 15-30 minutes for the entire First Look process. This gives us enough time to capture some beautiful portraits following the big reveal, without feeling rushed before your ceremony. If you’d like to do wedding party photos after the first look too, we would allocate a full hour for first look + wedding party photos. We recommend this option if you’re wanting to spend more quality time with your guests mingling later.
An example timeline for a 3pm ceremony with a First Look would be as follows:
Off Site First Look with wedding party -
12.00pm - Hair and makeup finished
1.00pm - Depart for first look location
1.15-2.15pm - First Look + portrait photos
2.15pm - Depart for ceremony
2.30pm - Guest arrival
3.00-3.30pm - Ceremony
On Site First Look with wedding party -
12.30pm - Hair + makeup finished
1.30-2.30pm - First Look + portrait photos
2.30pm - Guest arrival
3.00-3.30pm - Ceremony
Where should our First Look be?
Wherever you like, but ideally not too far from your ceremony. Your First Look session could take place at your bridal party accommodation, your wedding venue, or another location nearby. If you’re stuck on location ideas, chat to your photographer who can put forward some suggestions.
How does a First Look work?
The process of a First Look is pretty straightforward! Partner 1 will be standing in the designated location, waiting for Partner 2. When your photographer gives the signal, you can both reveal yourselves to each other. Following the reveal, we’ll do a short portrait session before you head off to the ceremony.
Can our photographer help us organise our First Look?
Of course! As your dedicated wedding photographers, we’ll work with you to create the perfect photography timeline (including your First Look photo session) and ensure the entire process runs smoothly from start to finish.
Need more inspiration? Take a look at some of our favourite First Look moments below, or get in touch to learn more about our wedding photography packages. Based on the Gold Coast, we capture love stories across the Tweed Coast, Byron Bay, Brisbane and beyond.
Did you find this advice helpful? Check out more wedding photography tips and advice on The Figtree Guide.