First Look or Aisle Moment? Here’s How to Choose What’s Right for You

One of the first questions I ask couples when we’re building out their timeline is, “Are you thinking about doing a first look on your wedding day?” And let me tell you…there’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. Everyone’s preferences are different!

As a Hill Country wedding planner, I’ve seen both approaches create beautiful, emotional, unforgettable moments. The key is choosing what feels most true to you, your relationship, and the kind of wedding day you want to have.

So let’s talk through the pros, the cons, and how to figure out what works best for you.

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✨ First, What Is a First Look?

A first look is when the two of you see each other before the ceremony – just the two of you (plus your photographer and planner quietly in the background). It’s sweet, it’s private, and it can help ease some of those pre-ceremony butterflies.

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✨ The Pros of a Wedding First Look

1. It Takes the Pressure Off Your Timeline
Doing a first look gives you time to knock out most of your formal photos before the ceremony. That means fewer things squeezed into your cocktail hour and more space in your timeline to just breathe and enjoy!

2. You Get That Quiet Moment Together
Your wedding day goes by fast, and this is one of the few private moments where it’s just the two of you. You can cry, laugh, hug, or just soak it all in without 100 people watching.

3. You Can Be Present With Your People
Rather than rushing through family photos after the ceremony, a first look gives you the chance to be fully present with your guests sooner – whether that’s during cocktail hour or just easing into the evening without a packed photo list.

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A Few Things to Keep in Mind…

1. The Aisle Moment Feels Different
If you’ve always dreamed of that big, emotional moment walking down the aisle and locking eyes for the first time – there’s just no recreating that. Seeing each other earlier does shift that moment a bit.

2. Your Getting Ready Timeline Will Start Earlier
To make a first look work, you’ll need to be completely ready earlier in the day. That means earlier hair and makeup and a little extra buffer time before the ceremony.

3. It’s Not the Traditional Route
If you’re someone who leans into wedding traditions, skipping the first look might feel more aligned with what you’ve always envisioned.

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So… What’s the Right Choice? First Look or Go the Traditional Route?

It all comes down to what you want your day to feel like.

If privacy, timeline flow, and extra photo time are big priorities, then a first look might be the move. But if you’ve been picturing that big aisle reveal since day one, let’s honor that and build your timeline around it.

Either way – there’s no wrong choice here! I’ll help you design a wedding day that flows beautifully and leaves room for the moments that matter most to you.

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✨ Not Sure What You Want Yet? That’s Okay.

This is exactly what I’m here for. If you’re feeling unsure about whether or not you want a wedding first look – I’ll help you weigh the options, look at your timeline, and figure out what makes the most sense based on your venue, your priorities, and how you want your day to feel.

If you’re planning a wedding in San Antonio, New Braunfels, or the Texas Hill Country, and want a planner who makes things feel calm, clear, and under control – I’d love to meet you. Let’s chat!

xoxo,

Maddie

🫶 Click here if you want to get a jump start on working on your wedding day timeline!