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First Look Wedding Videos: The Pros, the Cons, and How to Decide if It’s Right for You
- Abby White
- Jan 21
- 4 min read
If you’re planning a Utah wedding or LDS temple wedding, you’ve probably seen a few first look videos and you may be wondering if it’s right for you. Many couples worry that a first look will detract from the aisle or ceremony, while others are drawn to the idea of slowing down the day and capturing real emotion on film.
So… is a first look wedding video worth it? Like most things in weddings, it depends on what you value most.
Let’s break down the pros and cons of doing a first look for your wedding video, so you can decide what’s best for your day.
What Is a First Look?
First, lets break it down so you know exactly what to expect: a first look is a private (or semi-private) moment where the couple sees each other for the first time in their wedding attire. This usually happens right before taking bridal photos or if the couple is not doing bridals, before the ceremony or temple sealing.
Traditionally, the first time a groom saw his bride was during the walk down the aisle. However, as bridal portraits and flexible timelines have grown in popularity, couples have found that a first look video offers a quieter, more intentional way to experience that moment, one that allows space for real emotion and connection.
In video, this usually includes:
The walk-up
The turn-around
Natural dialogue (we mic you up to capture everything that is said)
A few uninterrupted moments together
PROS of a First Look Wedding Video
1. You Get Raw, Unfiltered Emotion (With Audio)
Ceremonies are often quiet and formal. First looks are not. From a videography perspective, this raw emotion is cinematic GOLD.
First looks often include:
Spoken reactions
Deep breaths
Nervous laughs
Spontaneous hugs
“I can’t believe this is happening” moments
During a ceremony, couples are often quiet, formal, and aware of an audience. A first look gives space for real words and real emotion, which makes your wedding film feel deeply personal.
2. A Smoother Timeline (and Better Light)
Logistically, first looks allow:
Couples portraits weeks before the wedding or before the ceremony
No rush or chaos to take tons of bridals on the wedding day
You get the video early
For video specifically, this often means:
Better lighting
More intentional setups
Beautiful backdrops
We've even had couples play their first look video on TVs at the wedding reception! A showstopper that had everyone from grandma to the groomsmen bawling.
3. A First Look Creates a Wedding Film Your Children & Grandchildren Will Treasure
This is one of the most overlooked benefits.
A first look wedding video preserves:
How you spoke to each other
Your voices, reactions, and emotions
What your love looked and sounded like in real time
Years from now, your children and grandchildren won’t just see what your wedding looked like—they’ll feel it.
4. It Does NOT Take Away From the Aisle or Ceremony
This is the biggest myth.
In reality, couples who do a first look often say:
The ceremony feels more peaceful
The emotions are deeper, not diminished
They’re more present and grounded
Seeing each other beforehand often makes the ceremony even more meaningful. You’re less nervous, more connected, and fully present. We’ve filmed countless weddings where couples still cry seeing each other at the altar because that moment carries an entirely different weight.
5. First Looks Are Perfect for Slowing Down the Wedding Day
Utah weddings—especially temple days—can move fast and be pretty chaotic:
Early mornings
Travel between locations
Family photos
Tight schedules
A first look intentionally slows the day down.
It creates space to:
Breathe
Be together
Process the magnitude of the day
From a wedding video perspective, slower moments mean:
More authentic emotion
Better storytelling
Less rushed, chaotic footage
Instead of your wedding film feeling frantic, it feels intentional and timeless.
CONS of a First Look Wedding Video
1. The Moment Is More Intimate—Which Isn’t for Everyone
Some couples prefer sharing that emotional first moment with their guests, not privately.
If you thrive on:
Shared celebration
Public emotion
Family witnessing the moment
A private first look may feel too quiet or personal.
2. It’s Not Necessary for a Beautiful Film
This is important to say: You can still have an incredible wedding video without a first look.
Ceremony reactions can be powerful. Post-ceremony embraces can be electric. There’s no “wrong” choice—only what aligns with your priorities.
3. It Requires Planning
A first look requires:
Hair and makeup done early or on another day
Location selection
Coordination for the bride and groom arriving without seeing each other
This isn’t a downside—but it does require thoughtful planning.
So… Should You Do a First Look?
A first look wedding video might be right for you if:
You value emotional storytelling
You want to hear and preserve each other’s reactions on film
You want a better wedding film with more a intentional backdrop and perfect lighting
You might skip it if:
You want the aisle moment to be the first time
You love shared, public emotion
Tradition is deeply important to you
Final Thoughts
Your wedding video isn’t just about what looks good, it’s about what feels true to you. Years from now, you won’t just remember how your wedding looked, you’ll remember how it felt. A first look video captures the unfiltered reactions, the words you didn’t realize you said out loud, and the way you looked at each other before everything officially began.
It’s one of the most intimate pieces of your wedding film, and often the one couples tell us they’re most grateful they chose to do!
If you're still on the fence about doing a first look video or have more questions about how to plan one, where to do it, the timeline, etc., reach out to schedule a consultation and we'd love to help you plan a wedding video that your family will treasure for generations!
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