The moment when a couple sees each other for the first time on their wedding day is a moment like no other. It unofficially marks the union of the pair and the start of the wedding day. The moment is filled with excitement, nervousness and anticipation.

Traditionally, this occurs during the ceremony where one nervously waits at the alter for their soon to be spouse to walk down the aisle. A modern take on this is the 'first look' where the bride and groom take a quiet moment to see each other prior to the ceremony.

The question then is why would you want to break tradition and opt for the first look? We've outlined 3 reasons in this blog post:

1. An Opportunity To Step Back and Focus on Each Other

Wedding days can get incredibly busy with a tight schedule to meet. You are constantly surrounded by family and friends which makes it hard for you to spend some quiet time together. A first look gives you the chance to slow down and take a step back. It can help calm your nerves by allowing you to focus your attention on each other.

2. Relaxes Your Wedding Timeline

Another point to consider is the flow of events on a wedding day. A first look relaxes your wedding timeline by allowing you to capture the majority of your wedding portraits prior to the ceremony. In contrast, the traditional approach requires you to squeeze all your portraits between the ceremony and the reception. This means less time with your guests for the reception.

3. Walk Away with Better Couple, Bridal and Family Portraits

The number 1 rule to get amazing wedding photographs is time. The more time we have, the better the images! By making sure the majority of your photos are taken prior to the ceremony, you are protected from unforeseen delays which usually occur in the later half of the day. There is a remarkable difference in photo quality when we are given 10 minutes vs 30 minutes! Ultimately, it means you get to walk away with better and more meaningful photos for you to reminisce on for years to come.

In the end, the choice of your wedding timeline is a personal one. We think that there's a place for both the traditional and modern first look, dependent on who you are as a couple. Whatever the case, communicate with your wedding planner and photographer and make it happen!