As a wedding coordinator in Alexandria, Louisiana and the owner of Gatherings by HB, LLC, I’ve noticed one of the most powerful (and surprisingly emotional) choices you can make when planning your wedding timeline is whether or not to have a first look.
I’ll admit—this is personal for me. One of my biggest regrets from my own wedding day was skipping the first look. I was set on tradition. I imagined that emotional moment when my future husband saw me walking down the aisle with my dad for the first time. And while that moment was special, what I didn’t realize was how much I’d be missing without the quiet intimacy a first look offers.
If you’re planning a wedding in Central Louisiana, here’s why I now wholeheartedly recommend including a first look in your day:
1. More Stunning, Relaxed Photos
A first look gives your photographer more time and flexibility to capture authentic, emotional images in a calm, unhurried setting. You’ll look more relaxed, and you’ll have space to really enjoy those first moments without the pressure of a post-ceremony timeline.
Instead of rushing through portraits after the ceremony, you get to take your time—and the results are always stunning.
2. Your Hair and Makeup Are at Their Peak
Your glam team worked hard to make sure you look and feel your absolute best. With a first look, you’re photographed when your hair is still perfectly in place, your makeup is flawless, and before any Louisiana heat or happy tears set in.
You deserve to be captured looking your freshest and most radiant—and a first look ensures that happens.
3. You Get a Moment—Just the Two of You
The day moves fast. From the moment you wake up, you’re surrounded by people: your wedding party, family, vendors, photographers. It’s easy to feel like the day isn’t yours anymore.
A first look gives you a sacred pause. It’s a rare and meaningful moment where you can connect, breathe, laugh, cry, and soak in the magic—together—before the celebration begins.
4. You’ll Actually Gain Time on Your Wedding Day
One of the most common things I hear from couples after the wedding is: “It went by so fast. I wish we had more time.”
Here’s the truth: a first look actually gives you more time. When you take portraits and wedding party photos before the ceremony, you’re not scrambling during the reception or delaying dinner. Instead, you can spend more of your wedding enjoying what you’ve spent months planning—being present with your guests, soaking in your surroundings, and truly celebrating.
As your Alexandria, LA wedding coordinator, I design a timeline that maximizes your day—and this decision makes all the difference.
5. It Doesn’t Diminish the Aisle Moment—It Deepens It
This is the biggest myth I want to debunk as a Alexandria, LA wedding coordinator: “If we do a first look, it’ll ruin the aisle moment.”
Absolutely not.
Here’s something else to think about: there is so much happening when you walk down the aisle. The music swells, your guests stand, your heart is pounding. You’re gripping your bouquet, trying to take deep breaths, and maybe even holding back tears.
It’s easy to miss your partner’s face entirely—or only catch a glimpse. Many brides tell me they barely even saw their fiancé’s expression until they looked back at the photos.
A first look offers you a chance to experience that reaction in a clear, quiet, personal space. You see the joy, the tears, the awe—and you remember it. And yes, even with a first look, the aisle moment still hits hard.
You just get to feel it on a deeper level.
6. The “Tap and Turn” Isn’t the Only Option
One thing that kept me from doing a first look was that I didn’t love the idea of walking up and tapping my future husband on the shoulder. It felt underwhelming for such a big moment. But what I didn’t realize then is that the “tap and turn” isn’t your only choice.
You can step through a dramatic doorway. Walk down a staircase. Have the doors of your venue swing open like your own mini aisle reveal. You can read letters or vows to each other, stand back-to-back and turn around at the same time, or even include your wedding party to cheer you on.
At Gatherings by HB, LLC, I help couples create first looks that feel intentional, bold, and totally customized to their love story.
Final Thoughts
If you're planning a wedding in Central Louisiana and want a celebration that flows effortlessly while honoring every emotional moment, a first look is one of the most powerful decisions you can make.
As a professional Alexandria, LA wedding coordinator, I can tell you this: it doesn’t take anything away from your ceremony. If anything, it makes it even better. You’ve already connected in private. You’ve soaked in the emotion. Now, you get to fully experience the moment—together—with no distractions.
If I could go back and do it all again, the first look would be an absolute yes. I want that for you.
If you're curious how a first look could fit into your day, let's talk. At Gatherings by HB, LLC, I specialize in creating personalized wedding experiences with heart, intention, and beauty.
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