Indianapolis Wedding Photographer

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A First Look Isn’t Just For Your Partner!

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I’ve made no secret about how much I love it when my couples do a first look. It’s the #1 thing I tell my husband, Jon, I would redo about our wedding day so we could have that time alone together before the ceremony! They naturally help the day run more smoothly, give you more flexibility for photos, and usually mean you get to spend more time actually enjoying your reception with your family and friends. But I also know a first look with your partner isn’t for everyone! If you’ve always dreamed about seeing each other for the first time as you walk down the aisle, I absolutely want you to have that moment. Your wedding day should feel like YOU, not like a checklist of things you’re supposed to do!

But here’s the thing…your partner isn’t the only person you can have a first look with! One of my favorite moments to build into the getting ready portion of a wedding day is a first look with someone else who’s incredibly important to you. Maybe that’s a first look with Dad before he walks you down the aisle, both of your parents together, your grandparents, a sibling, or even your wedding party! It gives you a chance to slow down for a few minutes and really take in the excitement with someone you love before everything starts moving a whole lot faster.

And these moments don’t have to be elaborate or take a huge chunk of time out of your wedding day. Usually, I can work a first look like this right into the getting ready timeline once you’re completely dressed and ready to go. We’ll find a spot with beautiful light, get everyone into place, and then let the moment happen naturally. Sometimes there are tears, sometimes there’s a giant hug, sometimes everyone starts laughing, and sometimes it’s a combination of all three! There’s no pressure for anyone to have a certain reaction. The whole point is simply getting to share that moment together.

If you’re thinking about doing a first look with Dad or anyone else you love, make sure you let your photographer know while you’re working on your wedding day timeline. It’s also a good idea to give that person a heads-up ahead of time so they know they’ll need to be completely dressed and ready before you are. There’s nothing worse than planning a sweet first look with Dad only to discover he’s still somewhere trying to find his tie! 😂 A little planning ahead makes it incredibly easy to fit into the day.

So if seeing your partner before the ceremony isn’t part of the wedding day you’ve always pictured, you don’t have to miss out on having a meaningful first look altogether. Think about the people you can’t imagine your wedding day without and whether you’d love a few quiet minutes with one of them before you head down the aisle. Those small, emotional moments with the people you love are some of the very best parts of a wedding day!