First look vs. Aisle Reveal - Which one is right for you?
The beauty of a first look lies in its intimacy — a chance to pause, breathe, and take in the love you share. This cozy, reflective portrait captures that essence: a moment away from the world, where it's just the two of you. First looks are more than a photo opportunity — they’re a memory made in the quietest, most meaningful spaces.
That said, everyone’s love story is different. A first look offers something equally powerful: an intimate moment shared privately with your partner. There's a sense of calm and control that comes with it, and for many couples, the privacy makes the moment feel even more special (and a lot less nerve-wracking).
In the end, both are beautiful and emotional choices—it all comes down to what feels right for you and your partner. So, how do you decide? Let’s break it down.
The First Look
What is a first look? - A first look is a private, intimate moment shared between you and your partner before the ceremony. It's typically staged away from friends and family, giving you a quiet space to soak in the emotions together without an audience. However, if you’d like a little extra support (and a few happy tears from loved ones), you can also invite close family and friends to be part of the moment
Pros
- More intimate and emotional - this is where you can soak everything in away from your wedding without all the eyes on you
- Timeline flexibility - on top of the first look, this gives you the chance to add in photos with friends and family to fit in time for fun and dancing at your reception, rather than cramming in photos after the ceremony.
- More time together - I stress the importance of being close to your new spouse for the whole day. This gives you a bit of a breather together though, before the chaos of the wedding day unfolds (good chaos, I promise!).
Cons
- Breaks tradition - many people value the idea of keeping to tradition. A first looks veers away from tradition, giving a more staged look to the first look.
- Requires an earlier start time - another aspect of any wedding I stress to all my clients is the importance of a detailed timeline. A first look might throw a wrench into that, as it takes significantly more time if you are looking to do photos with friends and family.
The Aisle Reveal
What is an aisle reveal? - The aisle reveal is exactly what it sounds like - the first look when walking down the aisle. All eyes on you, and an emotionally raw moment where it almost seems like time stops.
Pros
- Preserves tradition
- Emotional moment with guests - as much as it may seem that there are a lot of eyes on you, it's almost as if the rest of the world is closed off to you and your significant other. Your guests will enjoy the raw emotion of you and your partner, and you get to see how they react in the moment.
- No structure needed to implement into your timeline - with an aisle reveal, this can be implemented into your timeline with zero issues, right into the ceremony time.
Cons
- More rushed photo timeline - with an aisle reveal, there is a larger sense of urgency in order for you to get photos with family members. You will require more time afterwards to fit in photos with everybody.
- More pressure - an aisle reveal can be overwhelming, especially if you are shy in front of crowds.
So how do you choose?
Keep in mind, this is your day. Your day means your choice. You have the ability to go whatever route you'd like. Here are some factors to consider when making that decision:
- How important is tradition to you?
- Do you want more time with guests after your ceremony?
- Are you both introverts and prefer smaller / more private moments?
- Is your ceremony later in the day? (lighting)
Some safe alternatives to the aisle reveal and first look
- First touch - a first touch adds a more unique aspect to your day - from the photographer's perspective, the both of you will be in frame, just inches from seeing each other, yet feeling so much closer in that moment.
- Private vow exchange - generally I have been seeing more people opt for for private vow exchanges. As nice as it is to exchange vows during your ceremony, it gives you more time together in private, much like the idea of first looks.
At the end of the day...
No matter what choice you make, all are beautiful options and need to be personal to you. Your day is your day - you should plan it to how you want.
