Planning A First Look Wedding: A Step-By-Step Guide

A 'first look' is a wedding industry trend where the couple sees each other for the first time before the ceremony. This moment is usually planned in advance with the photography and videography team present. The first look can take place anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes before the ceremony and is usually followed by family formals. The location of the first look is an important consideration, with some couples opting for a private area like a hotel room, while others might choose a nook of their venue like a grand staircase.

Choosing a location: do you want a private area?

Choosing a location for your first look is an important part of the planning process. Do you want a private area? This could be a hotel room or a certain nook of your venue, such as a ballroom, piano, or grand staircase. Think about the background and what you want it to look like. If you're getting married outdoors, you might want to use the wedding florals or aisle as your backdrop.

You'll also want to consider the timing of your first look. A first look normally takes anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes and usually happens one to two hours before guests start arriving. This will give you enough time to get all your formal portraits and bridal party photos done before the ceremony, so you don't have to spend cocktail hour taking pictures.

Make sure you have about 10 minutes blocked off on your timeline to coordinate the first look. This is usually placed after the bride is fully dressed and has had some indoor bridal portraits taken. It takes a bit of time to get everyone into place, and you'll want to make sure hair and makeup are done before the big reveal!

A good wedding planner will ensure there's enough time to get epic wedding pictures. On most wedding timelines, it's common for the family formals to be scheduled after the first look. These usually take about 30 minutes, depending on how many people you want in those portraits.

Timing: when will the first look take place?

The first look will typically take place one to two hours before guests start arriving. It is important to consider the time of day that you want to see your fiancé for the first time, as this will impact the background of your photos. For example, if you want to use your wedding florals as a backdrop, you will need to plan your first look for after these have been set up.

The first look itself normally takes 15 to 30 minutes, but you should also allow time either side for setup and for hugs and congratulations from your wedding party. You will also need to ensure that hair and makeup are complete before the first look.

If you plan your first look for earlier in the day, you can get all your formal portraits and bridal party photos done before your ceremony, meaning you don’t have to spend cocktail hour taking pictures.

Photography: how will the moment be captured?

Photography is a key part of capturing the moment of a first-look wedding. The first look is the moment a couple shares when they see each other for the first time on their wedding day. It usually happens one to two hours before the wedding ceremony and guests start arriving.

The first look is typically planned beforehand with the photography and videography team present. It's a good idea to block off about 10 to 30 minutes on your timeline to coordinate the first look and get everyone into place. This includes the couple, the photography and videography team, and any family members or bridal party members who will be in the photos.

When planning the first look, consider the place and space where you want to see your fiancé for the first time. This could be a private area, such as a hotel room, or a specific location within your venue, such as a ballroom, piano, or grand staircase. Think about what you want the background to look like and whether you want to use your wedding florals or aisle as a backdrop.

It's also important to have a rain plan in case of inclement weather. You may want to consider an indoor location or a covered area to ensure that the moment can still be captured beautifully, regardless of the weather.

After the first look, it's common to schedule family formals and bridal party photos. This helps speed up the process after the wedding ceremony and allows you to enjoy your cocktail hour without having to take pictures.

Hair and makeup: will everyone be ready?

The 'first look' is an intimate moment when the couple sees each other for the first time on their wedding day. It usually takes place one to two hours before the guests arrive and can last between 15 and 30 minutes. After the 'first look', the couple will have their formal portraits taken, which can take up to 30 minutes. Therefore, it is important to ensure that everyone's hair and makeup are ready before the 'first look'.

The bride should allow enough time to get dressed and have some indoor bridal portraits taken before the 'first look'. It can take some time to get everyone into place, so it is important to plan accordingly. The hair and makeup team should be aware of the timeline and ensure that they are able to finish their work before the 'first look' is scheduled to take place.

If the couple chooses to have their 'first look' in a private area, such as a hotel room or a nook of the venue, they should consider the background and whether their wedding florals or aisle will be finished and can be used as a backdrop. The hair and makeup team should also be informed of the location so that they can set up their equipment and ensure that everyone is ready on time.

It is important to note that the 'first look' is an emotional moment and there may be tears. The hair and makeup team should be prepared for any last-minute touch-ups that may be needed. They should also be aware of the timeline and ensure that they are able to finish their work before the 'first look' is scheduled to take place.

Overall, the key to ensuring that everyone's hair and makeup are ready for the 'first look' is to plan accordingly and communicate the timeline to all involved parties. By allowing enough time and being organised, the couple can ensure that they are able to fully enjoy their 'first look' moment without feeling rushed.

Portraits: who will be included in the photos?

Portraits are an important part of a first look wedding. The first look is when the couple sees each other for the first time on their wedding day, and this is usually followed by portraits and photos with the bridal party.

The first look normally takes anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes, and it's common for family formals to be scheduled directly after this moment. These family formals usually take about 30 minutes, depending on how many people are included in the portraits.

If you're planning a first look wedding, it's a good idea to think about who you want to be included in these portraits. This could include immediate family members such as parents and siblings, as well as extended family members such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. You may also want to include the bridal party, which typically consists of the maid of honour, bridesmaids, best man, and groomsmen.

It's important to consider the timing of these portraits and ensure that everyone is dressed and ready for the photos. You may also want to think about the location of the portraits and whether you want a private area or a specific background, such as your wedding florals or aisle.

Frequently asked questions