Should You Do a First Look?
What Couples Often Don’t Realise When Planning Their Timeline
There’s a moment in wedding planning where everything starts to take shape —
the setting, the style, the way you want the day to feel. And then the question arrives:
Should we do a first look?
First looks can be beautiful, but they’re not always the right fit, especially for couples dreaming of a relaxed, elegant day with refined imagery
and space to breathe. Before you lock it in, here are a few things worth knowing.
1. Midday light doesn’t care about your mood board
Harsh overhead sun isn’t the elegant glow you see in European estates or Hawke’s Bay vineyards at golden hour. If your first look lands in the middle
of the day, it often means strong shadows, squinting, and a finish that feels a little at odds with the aesthetic you’ve chosen.
2. Earlier prep times affect the whole rhythm of your morning
A first look usually requires a midday-ready moment… which means a much earlier start for hair and makeup, and being fully styled hours before your ceremony. Your dress, your bouquet, your makeup — everything works a little harder (and gets a little more lived-in) long before you walk the aisle.
3. “More time with guests” isn’t only achieved through a first look
Couples often do a first look so they can join cocktail hour. The good news: you can absolutely enjoy cocktail hour without one. With thoughtful planning,
we can structure portraits so the day flows beautifully, your light is protected, and you’re still clinking glasses while everything feels fresh and effortless.
4. Coverage time stretches faster than you think
When you move everything forward for a first look, your photographer’s coverage often needs to start earlier. That can mean adding extra hours at the
end of the day — something couples don’t always realise when choosing a first look for timing reasons.
5. The aisle moment is powerful in its own quiet way
There’s a different kind of energy when you meet at the aisle. It’s not staged, it’s not structured — it’s a moment held by your guests, your surroundings,
and the anticipation that’s built throughout the day. It carries a magic you can’t recreate at midday with vendors buzzing around and the sun high overhead.
Your timeline should feel effortless — not rushed
This is why chatting with your photographer early matters. Together we can design a timeline that honours your style, the light you want, and what your priorities are — whether you’re marrying beneath olive trees in Italy, a château garden in France, or a vineyard here in New Zealand. You deserve a day that feels unhurried, elegant, and entirely yours!
