First Look or No?

If you've been scrolling through wedding planning blogs, Pinterest boards, or Instagram reels lately, you've probably come across the term “first look.” It's a modern tradition where couples see each other before the ceremony, usually in a quiet, private moment captured by their photographer.

As a wedding venue, we've seen both sides, couples who can’t imagine not doing a first look, and others who hold tight to the magic of seeing each other at the altar for the first time. So, should you do a first look? Here’s a little insight from where we stand (usually in the background with tissues in hand).

First, What Is a First Look?

A first look is a planned moment, before the ceremony, when the couple sees each other all dressed up for the first time. It’s often emotional, intimate, and set up in a beautiful spot around the venue (and trust us, we have a few favorite hidden corners perfect for this). Our dock, wooded trail, lakeside site or courtyard space are all beautiful spaces for the first look at our wedding venue.

The Pros of Doing a First Look

1. More Time Together on Your Wedding Day

One of the biggest advantages of a first look is that it gives you more time together. Your wedding day flies by seriously, it's like warp speed. A first look lets you soak in the moment with just the two of you before all the guests, photos, and festivities begin.

2. Smoother Timeline for Photos

From a logistical standpoint, first looks can be a dream. You can get most of your portraits, wedding party photos, and even some family shots done before the ceremony. That way, after you say “I do,” you can jump straight into cocktail hour or your reception and actually enjoy it and see all the people you love (instead of disappearing for an hour of photos).

3. Helps Calm the Nerves

We see a lot of couples pacing before the ceremony, nervous energy bubbling over. A first look can be the perfect way to settle your nerves. Seeing your person laughing or crying and holding each other it can bring such peace and remind you why you're here in the first place.

4. More Private, Genuine Reactions

Let’s be honest, the walk down the aisle is beautiful, but it also comes with 100+ people staring at you. A first look gives you both a chance to react naturally, cry if you want to cry, laugh, hug, and say things like, “You look amazing” without having to wait until after the ceremony.

The Cons (Because Yes, They Matter Too)

1. Loses the “Traditional” Aisle Moment

For some couples, the aisle reveal is sacred. That moment when the music swells, the doors open, and you lock eyes across the ceremony space? It’s the stuff of dreams and some feel it’s even more powerful when it's the very first time you see each other.

2. You’ll Need to Be Ready Earlier

Doing a first look means starting hair, makeup, and dressing earlier in the day. That can add pressure to the morning timeline, and for some, it might feel a little rushed. If you’re more of a “slow morning, sip your coffee, enjoy the calm” kind of person, this could be a drawback.

3. It’s Still an Orchestrated Moment

Yes, it’s private but it’s also scheduled and posed (at least partially). If you're hoping for that completely spontaneous, swept-away feeling, a first look can sometimes feel a little “planned.” Though a good photographer will do their best to make it feel natural.

So... What Do We Recommend?

Honestly? It comes down to you. We’ve hosted weddings where the first look was full of happy tears and deep breaths, and others where the aisle moment packed the most emotion. There’s no one “right” choice, it’s about what feels meaningful to you as a couple.

If you’re torn, here’s an idea: do a “first touch” instead. You stand on either side of a door or corner, hold hands, exchange letters or a few words without actually seeing each other. It’s a sweet in-between that can still ease the nerves and give you a quiet moment together.

Final Thought

Whether you choose to do a first look or stick with tradition, we’ll be there to make sure your day flows smoothly. Our goal is to create space for these moments, whatever they look like, to happen naturally and beautifully.

Your love story is one-of-a-kind, and however you decide to see each other for the first time on your wedding day, it’s going to be unforgettable.

Got questions about how a first look could work at our venue? Reach out, we’d love to help you plan it perfectly. We would love for you to tour so you can see all the beautiful spots in person.

We love to support other locally owned wedding venues like these… Lizton Lodge, Homestead 32, The Postmark, Hightower Falls, The Venue At Springfield Estates