First Look Ideas - Simone Anne Photography

Your First Look can be a unique, emotional, and private time for you to connect with your partner and revel in all of the excitement of your wedding day together. Check in, say hello, and use this moment to share your excitement and nerves before you greet your guests and hug your family. Many couples opt to just see each other before their wedding and say hello, but you can easily introduce a few new traditions to your day and make this an emotional and memorable part of your wedding day. I’ve collected some fun and exciting First Look ideas below for you to use to help you create a very memorable and exciting First Look!

What is a First Look?

More and more, couples that come to me want to prioritize spending time with their guests and each other: A First Look is the perfect way to do this. Couples opt to see in each other in a romantic First Look reveal before their ceremony. They spend ten or fifteen minutes saying hello, checking in, really getting to hug (and smooch!) each other in relative privacy before the big excitement of their ceremony.

Most often, a First Look is followed by portraits of the couple, immediate family photos, and wedding party photos if you’re having a wedding party. Then a little break before heading to their ceremony. Most couples opt to add a few larger extended family or chosen family/friend photos after the ceremony before heading right to cocktail hour and their wedding party reception.

Unique First Look Ideas

The Reveal

A “Traditional” First Look

A “traditional” First Look (as much as this modern wedding day option can be seen as traditional) involves one person standing with their back to where their partner will come from. The second person (in a heterosexual relationship, this is generally the bride) approaches their partner, taps them on the shoulder or asks them to turn around (I’ve also seen a bride lovingly grab a groom’s butt, haha! So cute.).

From there, it’s all excitement, tears, fun, and some kisses! Take as long as you need (most couples take ten minutes for this whole process) to connect, check in, check out each others’ outfits, etc., before exploring together, taking some pictures, or inviting your immediate family or wedding party to join for some photos.

Both of you Cover Your Eyes

With the help of friends, end up back to back or with your hands or a blindfold covering your eyes. Say hello, maybe join hands for a moment, and then open your eyes for the big reveal! It’s so much fun to see your partner at the same time. I’ve especially seen this take for Brides who are both wearing wedding dresses that are a surprise to their partner! It’s so fun.

Meet Around the Corner

Find a cute corner that you can’t see around and meet (with the help of your friends!) on each side of the corner. Maybe join hands first, but then step out at the same time to see your outfits, say hello, and get excited!

During the First Look: Once You’ve Seen Each Other

Share Private Vows

A private First Look is an amazing time to exchange private vows to each other. If you’re having a short ceremony, are more private people and would get shy exchanging vows in front of your guests, are having a church ceremony that doesn’t allow for personal vows, or just want to be able to hug and kiss your partner after they or you say your vows, this is the perfect solution. Most people write theirs out and then allow an extra ten minutes or so during their First Look to exchange private vows. It’s usually super emotional, very sweet, and very personal, and many people say this was one of the most memorable parts of their wedding day. This is one of the most emotional and powerful First Look ideas out there: You will never forget this moment and what you say to each other here will be powerful, memorable, and beautiful.

Unique First Look Ideas share personal vows

Write Each Other a Letter

Similar to sharing private vows, you can write your partner a letter and exchange them in person. Writing a letter to your significant other on your wedding day is already pretty common and quite sweet; being able to see your partner read the letter and react to everything you share is very memorable. Most people react very emotionally to this letter, but often do so privately. Sharing the letter yourself during your First Look and watching your partner open and read it can be a very memorable and emotional experience.

Play a Song

Perhaps you or your partner play the guitar or sing? Playing a song that has personal meaning to you both can be a profound and emotional experience that you can share during your First Look.

Share a Private First Dance

Maybe you just want to soak it all in for a moment and hug your human. Bring a small speaker to your First Look and sway along to your favorite song together. Maybe you’re dancing along to something bigger, choreographed, or just more peppy during your First Dance; during your private First Look, you could sway along to something soft and sweet instead.

Unique First Look Ideas private first dance

Pop a Bottle of Champagne

Shake up a bottle of champagne and pop it open to let the whole world know you’re getting married today! There’s nothing like a big pop and a glass of bubbly to signify to yourselves that you’re officially getting married TODAY (!!!!) and sharing that first Cheers! with your best friend is the best way to celebrate seeing each other and getting married. Let off a few nerves, toast to your futures, and get the celebration started. This is one of my favorite fun First Look ideas: After you’ve shared a moment, take a minute to celebrate!

Have more First Look Ideas?

Shoot me an email hello (at) simoneanne.com with your ideas and what you two did for your First Look and I’ll add them to the post here to help more couples brainstorm and get excited!