Solve Your Wedding Day Worries with a No-Stress First Look

First looks can solve a lot of problems and concerns that may arise on or before your wedding day! But what even is a first look, and why is it so amazing?

Let’s talk about how your wedding photographer can help ease worries and alleviate stress by having a stellar first look, especially if you’re getting married here in Colorado, where mountain light and quick weather shifts add a whole extra layer to your timeline.

But at no point will I ever pressure my couples’ into one, so let’s see if it’s the right choice for you and your wedding day.

What is a first look?

A first look is a small photo session we have before the ceremony starts, where you and your future spouse see each other in your wedding finery for the first time. It’ll be just you, your spouse-to-be, and me, so we can keep things nice and intimate for those tears and tender words. I take photos of you two in your gorgeous wedding attire, and then you can relax and enjoy the ceremony and reception.

Couples do intimate first looks for many reasons, but the main goal is to get breathtaking, private photos taken of you and your forever love before all the craziness of the ceremony begins. In Colorado, where sunsets dip behind the mountains earlier, afternoon storms appear out of nowhere, and outdoor venues fill quickly, a first look can be a huge stress reliever.

Let’s walk through some of the worries a first look can solve, and how to decide if adding a first look into your wedding day timeline is right for you.

“I want to actually hang out with my family on my wedding day. How do I do that?”

First of all, I totally feel you! What’s the point of having all of your family come to a wedding if you can’t take a moment to spend time with them? Enter: the first look!

Get all of the super-important photos out of the way first by doing a first look photoshoot before the ceremony even starts.  That way, the cocktail hour and dinner are free for you to spend time with your family. And you’ll be able to totally relax because you’ll know all the major photos are out of the way, especially helpful at Colorado venues where cocktail-hour views or outdoor spaces are just too good to miss.

“It wasn’t always easy to make decisions for our wedding, but my husband and I immediately agreed that we both wanted to do a first look. We both wanted the intimacy and deep emotion of that moment to be shared without our guests watching. . .When he turned around, I knew his tears were authentic. We were blessed to have Jennifer there to capture our embrace in that unforgettable moment.” – Hailey and Ryan

“I’m nervous to read my vows in front of everyone!”

Reading vows can be super nerve-wracking! Doing a first look is a great opportunity to practice reading your vows and get all your jitters out. You can even throw in something more personal that you don’t want to say during the ceremony, too! 

I always recommend first looks to couples who are more camera-shy and might want to get their more intimate photos done before the ceremony starts. I always recommend first looks to couples who are more camera-shy and might want to get their more intimate photos done before the ceremony starts. And an adorable, private vow reading is a great way to do that, especially at mountain venues or trail-adjacent ceremony sites where privacy can be hard to find once guests arrive.

Some people don’t want to cry in front of their friends and family, so getting it out of the way beforehand is also a great solution.

“I don’t want to feel rushed on my wedding day. How do I slow things down and just enjoy it?

Then a first look is exactly what you need! The beauty of getting your most important photos done before the ceremony even starts is that you can relax for the rest of the day. Enjoy your cocktail hour, your dinner, and your dance floor, knowing that all of your most important photos are checked off your list!

“The first time I saw Alexis in her wedding dress and makeup, I felt an overwhelming feeling of gratitude.  I had seen Alexis many times before, of course, but our “first look” felt like I was literally looking at Alexis for the first time.  I already felt blessed to be marrying her, but we decided to include our rabbi who gave us a formal Jewish blessing as well.” – Alexis and Guy

“Can a first look be like I’m walking down the aisle, so my fiancé sees me like they will in the ceremony?”

Of course! With my years of experience photographing first looks, I know exactly how to replicate walking down the aisle. We will have you two be farther apart, and one of you can walk toward the other. Or, you can turn around at the same time and see each other in full. We can also have your first look at the ceremony site so we can fully replicate the walking-down-the-aisle feel!

“I’m having a night ceremony, but want outdoor photos in our wedding clothes. What should I do?”

Have a first look, of course! Before the sun sets and the ceremony starts, we’ll get some gorgeous photos at golden hour at your venue. This way, you’ll have the best of both worlds: the amazing night ceremony you’re dreaming of, and the breathtaking couples photos that will fill your albums and heirlooms forever.

“We were on the fence about doing a first look, but after talking to Jennifer we decided that it would be more intimate and personal to see each other in private before the ceremony. My husband was still a little against it (and I quote, “My wife made me do it!”), but said that it was the most beautiful that he thought I had ever looked.” - Alisha & Kyle

“I want a more intimate, elopement-style moment with my fiancé before we start the big ceremony.”

Step right this way to a first look! Doing one gives you the chance to be alone with your spouse-to-be before you’re in front of all your friends and family. We’ll find a beautiful corner of your venue and enjoy the natural or city surroundings, whether that’s alpine trees, a riverside path, or downtown Denver architecture.

You can even practice reading your vows to each other!

“I want to do a first look, but i want to see my fiancé cry while i walk down the aisle.”

If this is your only first look hold up- I totally get it! But, just because your fiancé sees you before the ceremony, does not mean that they might not still cry as you walk down the aisle! Everybody is different, and the ceremony is still a unique once-in-a-lifetime moment for the two of you!

“I love the idea of a first look, but I want the first time my fiancé sees me in my wedding finery to be in the ceremony.”

Understandable! Pre-ceremony first looks aren’t for everyone. But I’ll work with you to ensure your coming down the aisle first look results in some show-stopping photos! We’ll just have to do a little extra photography after the ceremony so you get the full gallery. You can also do a first touch instead!

If you're having a Colorado mountain wedding, just remember that post-ceremony light drops quickly behind the peaks, so we may move a bit faster, but we’ll still capture everything beautifully.

“It’s an old school tradition that the groom doesn’t see the bride before the wedding and we thought there was something beautiful in that. We understand that it’s becoming more typical to do a first look so any emotions you have can be easily photographed and private, but we wanted to share the moment with our friends and family.” – Katelyn & Jake

“So…should my fiancé and I do a first look?”

Of course, it’s completely up to you, but I definitely recommend doing a first look if you’ve found yourself asking any of these questions! Not only does it help take some of the stress off by getting your most important photos taken before the ceremony even starts, but it makes the timeline of your day run more smoothly.

And especially for Colorado weddings, where the light, weather, and landscape encourage a slower, more intentional day, a first look gives you a moment to breathe, connect, and take in what you’re about to celebrate.

Relax and enjoy your cocktail hour: you paid for it, after all! You also get a moment alone with your fiancé before all the insanity starts. Use your first look as a moment to take a breath and realize the incredible event you’re about to celebrate.

There is no harm in not doing a first look though, and I’ll never pressure you either way! Hopefully, all of these questions give you a good idea of what a first look may accomplish though!

Choosing to do a first look can completely shift the tone of your day, giving you a quiet pocket of time to be together before everything starts moving. In Colorado, where the scenery is wild, the light is dramatic, and the timeline can change with the weather, it’s a chance to ground yourselves and enjoy the moment without feeling rushed. Whether your celebration is in the city, the foothills, or deep in the mountains, a first look helps your whole day unfold with more ease and intention.

If you’re curious how a first look could fit into your Colorado wedding timeline, reach out through my contact form!