Here are the top ten reasons I personally advocate for (but would never force) a first look:

1. Avoid the stress of trying to hide from each other all day 

   What started centuries ago as a superstition somehow crept its way into modern weddings and is now a logistical nightmare. Weddings involve so many different people, moving parts, and tasks. Making sure the couple stays apart until the ceremony takes a lot of energy and time that could be better spent. The argument for waiting until the aisle for the groom to see his bride for the first time has been that they want that moment to be special.
   
   The reality is, the first time you see each other that day will be special no matter when it happens. Which leads me to Benefit #2:
   

2. More authentic reactions

   Even if your fiance is in touch with his emotions, he probably isn’t super comfortable with the idea of letting it all out during the ceremony. A lot of brides say they want to see him cry as she’s walking down the aisle. The reality is, he’s way less likely to react according to his actual feelings when he has 200+ pairs of eyes on him.
   
   A first look will give you a private, uninterrupted, raw-emotion filled moment. Personally, I'm glad my husband and I did a first look because I don’t even remember walking down the aisle (and alcohol wasn't involved!) I’ve heard many brides say they had a similar experience. Imagine not having a first look only to ultimately forget what his reaction was like during the “here comes the bride” moment anyway.
   

3. Actually get time alone

   That private moment will most likely be the only time the two of you get to spend alone together for the rest of the event. On the happiest day of your life, you want to be alone with your partner for at least a few minutes! Couples who choose not to do a first look might have to awkwardly stand at the altar for up to an hour before they can actually talk to each other.
   
   With a first look, you’re free to hug, kiss, laugh, cry, pray, talk, exchange gifts, letters, or private vows, without extra anxiety. I like to take these photographs with a long zoom lens so I can stand far away and stay unnoticed and unobtrusive.
   

4. Be more mentally present and relaxed for the ceremony

   Even though couples who choose not to do a first look aren’t able to talk when they first see each other, they’ll still have a million thoughts running through their heads. “Does he like my dress?”…”Is she nervous?”….”Did he really not shave?”…..”She’s wearing the perfume I bought her!”
   
   Getting the answers to all your questions and getting to chat about whatever you want will make you more focused, in the moment, and relaxed for the ceremony.
   

5. Get better and less rushed romantic portraits 

   It can be super hard to not fall behind schedule on your wedding day. Even with the most talented team of coordinators, if one bridesmaid or vendor has a small snafu, it could delay the timeline by precious minutes or even hours (yikes!) If everything goes according to plan, a first look will give you way more time for portraits. And in the event that everything doesn’t go to plan, first looks ensure you’ll get at least some romantic portraits, and that they aren’t rushed.
   
   With no first look, all the portraits of the two of you, your wedding party, and your family will need to happen after the ceremony. That’s a lot to fit into one cocktail hour! And in the U.S., if you’re getting married in fall or winter when sunset is much earlier, you might even run out of time before the sun goes down. We can always take portraits with flash, but the look is not the same. Food for thought!
   

6. More photos in general

   With a first look, you’ll not only get more (and better) romantic portraits, you’ll get more photos of everything else that’s important to you too. A photo of you and each of your brothers wasn’t on your family photo list but now that the ceremony is over, you realize you want one? Great! Let’s do it!
   
   When family and wedding party photos don’t have to compete for time with the romantic portraits during cocktail hour, that time is way less hurried. You'll have more time for the unexpected photos you didn’t even know you wanted.
   

7. Freshest makeup, hair, & flowers

   Makeup gets cried and hugged off, hair gets windblown, and flowers wither and fall apart. Thankfully, first look photos memorialize the best version of your fabulous self before the day starts taking its toll!
   

8. More time to spend with your guests

   Would you rather take your couple portraits before your guests arrive or when they’re all waiting for you at cocktail hour to join the party? You don’t want to go through your wedding photos only to notice you didn’t get that many bride and groom portraits! At the same time, you don’t want to go through your photos only to notice you didn’t spend that much time with your guests, either. First looks solve both these problems.
   
   Most of my couples choose to do a first look so they can get their romantic portraits and wedding party photos finished before cocktail hour. Then, we tackle the family photos right after the ceremony, with a few more romantic portraits if their hearts desire! This scenario gives the couple enough time to enjoy drinks and appetizers with their family and friends before the reception.
   

9. More consistent looking album

   Without a first look, for time’s sake, we often need to take bridesmaids and groomsmen photos separately before the ceremony. But since the couple is trying to hide from each other, these photos are usually taken in completely different parts of the venue. The lead photographer (me) photographs the bride and bridesmaids and the second photographer works with the groom and groomsmen somewhere else. I don’t have a problem with that per se, as I completely trust my assistant photographers. But, I prefer to photograph both groups myself and in the exact same location for consistency in the wedding gallery and printed album.
   

10. More flexibility and options 

    Want wedding photos at the beach but you’re not getting married at the beach? With a first look, you might be able to get portraits somewhere other than your venue that you otherwise might not have had time to travel to. You’ll also have flexibility if the weather is less-than-ideal. If it starts to rain and photo locations need to change on a dime, voila. You’ve given yourself the peace of mind that you’ll have enough time to drive to that awesome indoor photo location you love.