Should I Do a First Look?
Considering a First Look for Your Wedding in Central Oregon?
Where This All Begins
If you’re asking yourself Should I do a first look?... you’re not alone. I get this question from nearly every couple I work with. Whether you’re getting married in Bend or somewhere else in Central Oregon, deciding whether or not to see each other before the ceremony can shape how your day feels.
There’s no right answer. But there's a right answer for you. My goal is to walk you through what a first look really means, what the pros and cons are, and to offer some honest insight from weddings I’ve photographed — the good, the emotional, and the unexpected.
But First, What Is a First Look?
A “first look” is a private moment where you and your partner see each other before the ceremony. Sometimes it’s emotional. Sometimes it’s funny. Sometimes it’s just a deep breath in the middle of the chaos. It’s one of the only parts of the day where you get to pause and just be with one another... and time simply stops.
PROS OF DOING A FIRST LOOK
1. You Get a Private Moment (and It’s Powerful)
The day will fly by. A first look gives you space to connect — just the two of you — without an audience. It’s raw, unscripted, and often one of the most emotional parts of the day.
2. Your Timeline Opens Up
By doing portraits before the ceremony, you free up the rest of your day. You’ll likely knock out couples portraits, wedding party, and even family photos before you say “I do,” which means you get to enjoy cocktail hour and more time with the people you value most.
3. It Calms the Nerves
Seeing your person has a way of grounding everything. I’ve seen couples go from high-anxiety to calm and confident just by stepping into that moment together.
4. You’ll Get More Portraits
Plain and simple: more time together = more photos together. That’s not a bad thing when it comes to creating your wedding album.
CONS of Doing a First Look
1. It Breaks Tradition
If that “walking down the aisle” moment is something you’ve always dreamed of, a first look might take away from that big reveal. (That said, many couples find it’s just as emotional either way.)
2. You’ll Need to Get Ready Earlier
Hair, makeup, and getting dressed all need to be bumped up a bit. If it stresses you out to shift things earlier by an hour or two, a first look may not be for you.
3. It Might Not Feel as Special
Some couples worry that seeing each other before the ceremony takes away from the emotional impact of the aisle moment. If you’ve always imagined locking eyes for the first time with all your guests watching, a first look might not hit the same way.
Alternatives to a First Look
Not feeling the idea of seeing each other beforehand? No problem — there are still meaningful ways to connect:
The First Touch
I photographed a couple in Bend who wanted to connect but keep the aisle moment sacred. We blindfolded the groom and let them hold hands and exchange a few words before the ceremony. It was intimate, tear-filled, and completely unforgettable.
Private Vows Without Seeing Each Other
One couple I worked with wanted traditional ceremony vibes, so we set up a quiet moment in a garden where they stood back-to-back and read their vows aloud without seeing each other. The emotion was palpable, and the photos were powerful.
MEMORABLE FIRST LOOKS
🥸 The “Wait… That’s Not My Bride” First Look
One of the most hilarious first looks I’ve ever photographed happened at Taylor and Ricky's Oregon wedding when the “bride” slowly walked up behind the groom… only it wasn’t the bride. It was one of his best friends, fully committed in a cheap, too-small wedding dress. We played it completely straight—set up the moment like any other first look. The groom turned around, expecting to see his bride—and instead burst into uncontrollable laughter at his buddy’s proud pose and frilly outfit. The fun vibes carried straight into their ceremony.
🦖 The T-Rex First Look
Some couples opt for a private, emotional first look. Others… show up in an inflatable dinosaur suit. At Cindy & Riley's Soda Creek Campground elopement, the bride had other plans. She secretly got into a full-body inflatable T-Rex costume and lumbered toward her groom in slow, clumsy glory. He turned around, expecting his soon-to-be wife, and instead came face-to-face with a prehistoric predator waddling his way. He lost it—in the best way possible. That moment set the tone for a day filled with love, laughter, and zero pressure to be anything other than themselves.
Your first look doesn’t have to be serious to be unforgettable.
The Surprise! You're Actually Marrying Me First Look
Not every couple follows tradition — and that’s what makes this work so personal and powerful. I once photographed a wedding where the groom had no idea he was getting married that day. His bride, along with their closest family and friends, planned the entire thing in secret.
On the day of, he was blindfolded and led to what he thought was a surprise gathering. When the blindfold came off, he found himself standing in front of the entire crowd of friends and family — dress, vows, and ceremony ready to go. The emotion on his face was unforgettable, and the photos? Pure magic.
Sometimes the most meaningful moments come from trusting the process, breaking the mold, and leaning into what feels right for your relationship — even if that means flipping the script entirely.
So… Should You Do a First Look?
Use this checklist with your partner to help guide your decision. No pressure — just honest talk.
✅ We want to spend more time with guests during cocktail hour
✅ We’re both more comfortable sharing emotions privately
✅ Our timeline feels tight and we want less pressure after the ceremony
✅ We’d love to calm nerves and be present together before the ceremony
✅ We want a quiet, intentional moment — just the two of us
If you said “yes” to 3 or more… a first look might be right for you.
But remember — it’s your day. Whatever feels most authentic to you two is the right choice.
Need More Help Planning?
I’ve photographed a myriad of weddings across Bend, Central Oregon, and far beyond. Whether you do a first look or not, I’ll help you build a timeline that feels like you. If you’re still unsure or want to talk it through, reach out — I’m here for all of it.
Frequently asked queStions
about ABOUT Doing a First Look
01. Does a first look take away from tradition?
Answer: It depends on how important that tradition is to you. For some, keeping the aisle reveal sacred is non-negotiable. For others, creating new traditions feels more personal.
02. Can we still have a private moment without seeing each other?
Answer: Absolutely. I’ve helped couples exchange private vows or hold hands around a corner or door — even with a blindfold — so they can connect emotionally without breaking tradition.
03. What if we get emotional during the first look?
Answer: That’s the point — and I’ll be ready to document it in a way that feels honest, not intrusive. Tears, laughter, or quiet awe — it’s all beautiful.
04. Does the first look location matter?
Answer: It does. I’ll help you find a private, scenic spot with good light and minimal distractions. Whether it’s a garden trail or a quiet corner, we’ll make it meaningful.
Ready to connect?
Get in touch
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