First Look vs. Aisle Reveal: Which Is Right for You?

Spring has officially arrived!

Love is in the air, pollen is on your car, and wedding season is revving up. And if you’re deep in wedding planning, you might be wondering: Should we do a first look, or wait for that big aisle reveal?

Lucky for you, I’ve photographed both, and I have thoughts (naturally). So, let’s break it down with some pros, cons, and a touch of sass.

The First Look: The Cozy, Private Option

The First Look for an intimate, emotional moment.

What it is: You and your partner see each other before the ceremony, away from the crowd, for an intimate, emotional moment.

Pros: ✔️ Emotions, but make them private. You get to have a quiet, tear-filled (or laughter-filled) moment without hundreds of eyes on you. ✔️ Photos done early? Yes, please! You can knock out most of your portraits before the ceremony, meaning more time at cocktail hour. ✔️ Nerves? Handled. If you’re the kind of person who sweats under pressure (same), this helps calm the pre-wedding jitters.

Cons: ❌ But tradition! If you’re dreaming of that dramatic, aisle-reveal moment, a first look might not hit quite the same. ❌ You have to be ready earlier. Hair, makeup, and getting dressed all need to happen a bit sooner.

The Aisle Reveal: The Classic, Cinematic Moment

The Aisle Reveal: main character energy

What it is: You wait until the ceremony to see each other—cue the gasps, tears, and dramatic music swelling in the background (okay, maybe just in our heads).

Pros: ✔️ Ultimate drama. If you love a main character moment, nothing beats locking eyes down the aisle. ✔️ Family and friends get to witness it. Your loved ones will feel the moment right along with you. ✔️ No timeline changes needed. You stick to the traditional order of events, no early prep required.

Cons: ❌ Emotions… with an audience. If you’re prone to ugly-crying and prefer a private moment, this isn’t it. ❌ Less time for photos after. Portraits will have to wait until after the ceremony, meaning a longer gap before your reception fun begins.

So…Which One Is Right for You?

The truth? There’s no wrong answer. It’s about what feels right to you as a couple.

For Mike and me? We broke the “rules” 35+ years ago and saw each other before the ceremony, and shockingly, our marriage survived. (Take that, superstitions!)

So, whether you want a first look, an aisle reveal, or even a first touch (holding hands only, no peeking!), I’ll be there to capture it all.

Need help deciding? Let’s chat!