The first look is one of the questions I get asked most as a Toronto wedding photographer, so let's talk it through. There's no single right answer here, it really just comes down to the kind of day you want. It helps to know you're not going against the grain either way: a little over half of couples now plan a first look, so whichever way you lean, plenty of people have gone before you.
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What a first look actually is
It's the first time you see each other on the wedding day. Traditionally that's the walk down the aisle, but plenty of couples now plan a private moment beforehand instead, just the two of them. The reveal itself only takes a few minutes, and then the rest of the block is portraits.
The case for it
A dedicated first look gives you a quiet, emotional moment together, away from a crowd of watching guests. It also means real, unguarded reactions on camera, and it frees up time afterward for relaxed couple portraits while you're both still fresh. It's also the perfect window if you want to read private vows to each other, something a lot of couples want but don't want to do in front of everyone. A lot of couples tell me it settled their nerves too, so they walked into the ceremony already grounded rather than shaking.
What to know
We usually set aside about 30 minutes for a first look, and it flows really nicely into natural light portraits right after. It's an easy, unhurried block in the middle of an otherwise busy day. The trick is where it lands on the wedding day timeline: slot it one to two hours before guests arrive and it does double duty, because you can knock out couple portraits, and often the wedding party too, before the ceremony instead of racing through them after. That usually flows straight out of your getting ready photos, so the morning has a nice rhythm to it.
The case against it
A first look does break from tradition, and it means getting ready a bit earlier. If your day already has a good gap between the ceremony and reception for portraits, you might not need one at all. Just don't skip portrait time altogether to save money, because that's exactly the part you'll wish you'd kept.
A lot of this comes down to your timeline, and that's exactly where I can help. Reach out and we'll map the day out together so you get both the relaxed moments and the photos you're after.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a first look at a wedding?
It's a planned moment before the ceremony where you see each other for the first time, just the two of you, instead of at the aisle. Usually it's somewhere quiet with only your photographer nearby, and it often rolls straight into your couple portraits.
What are the pros and cons of a first look?
The upside is a private, emotional moment with real reactions on camera, calmer nerves, and portraits done early so you can actually enjoy your reception. The trade off is that you start the day a little earlier and you give up the surprise of seeing each other at the aisle. Neither is wrong, it just depends on the day you want.
How long does a first look take?
The reveal itself is only a few minutes. I set aside about 30 minutes so the moment isn't rushed and it can flow right into portraits. If you fold in couple and wedding party photos, plan for closer to an hour of that pre ceremony window.
Does a first look ruin the walk down the aisle?
It doesn't. Plenty of couples worry about this and then tell me the aisle still hit just as hard, sometimes harder, because they were calmer and more present. You're not trading one moment for the other, you're getting two.
Do you still get emotional walking down the aisle after a first look?
You do. The nerves are gentler, but the feeling is still there when the doors open and everyone you love is watching. If anything, a lot of couples say being settled let them actually take that walk in rather than white knuckling it.