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Bride and groom facing each other on a Telluride mountain overlook with pine trees and snowy peaks in the background

Is a First Look Right for Your Telluride Wedding?

First look or wait for the aisle? There really isn’t a wrong answer.

When I help my couples plan their wedding day, I’m less interested in telling them what they should do and much more interested in asking them one question:

How do you want your wedding day to feel?

Do you picture that moment of walking down the aisle, seeing each other for the first time, and feeling all of those emotions hit at once?

Then wait.

Seriously. That moment can be incredible, and if you've always dreamed about it, I don't think you should give it up just because someone told you a first look makes the timeline easier.

But maybe you're imagining something different.

Maybe you know you're both going to be nervous and the person who calms you down better than anyone is the exact person you're being told you can't see all day.

Maybe you'd rather have a quiet moment together before everything begins. Just the two of you. A chance to hug, laugh, cry, and simply just be.

Then a first look might be perfect for you.

And yes, there are some practical reasons to consider one—especially for a Telluride wedding. A first look can give us more flexibility with portraits, allow you to spend more of cocktail hour actually enjoying the people you invited, and create a little breathing room in your timeline.

But those aren't my favorite reasons for doing one.

 

San Juan mountain Bride and groom kissing in front of a waterfall with a rocky stream backdrop

My favorite reason is that it gives you a moment together.

Wedding days move incredibly fast. You're surrounded by people you love, conversations, hugs, champagne, schedules and celebrations. Ironically, it can sometimes feel like you barely get a minute alone with the person you're marrying.

A first look creates one.

And it doesn't have to be a production.

I don't need you perfectly positioned or performing a reaction for my camera. I'll help you find a beautiful, private place, give you enough direction that you don't have to wonder what you're supposed to do—and then I'll back away.

What happens next belongs to you.

But will a first look ruin the aisle moment?

This is probably the question I hear most.

And in my experience? No.

Seeing each other privately and seeing each other walking down the aisle are two completely different moments.

One is intimate.

The other is this is really happening.

I've photographed plenty of couples who spent time together before their ceremony and still completely lost it when they saw each other at the aisle.

Emotion doesn't follow wedding rules.

Reasons you might love a first look

A first look may be right for you if you:

  • Feel calmer when you're together.
  • Want a private moment before the ceremony.
  • Want to knock out some family and wedding party portraits beforehand.
  • Really want to enjoy your cocktail hour.
  • Want more flexibility in your wedding-day timeline.
  • Don't feel strongly about waiting until the aisle to see each other.

Reasons you might want to skip it

Don't do a first look simply because Pinterest, your planner—or even your photographer—said you should.

You may want to wait if you've always imagined seeing each other for the first time at the ceremony.

If that tradition means something to you, honor it.

We can build your photography timeline around that.

Because your wedding shouldn't be designed around making my job easier.

Your photography should be designed around your wedding.

 

Telluride Bride holding a bouquet beside groom in navy suit on a grassy outdoor wedding path

So, is a first look right for you?

Forget for a minute what everyone else is doing.

Picture the day.

When the nerves kick in, do you want to reach for each other?

Or do you want the anticipation of waiting until that walk down the aisle?

There's your answer.

And whichever you choose, my job is to make sure you have the space to actually experience it—not turn it into a photo shoot.

Because years from now, I don't just want you to remember what that moment looked like.

I want the photographs to bring you right back to how it felt.

Bride in a white gown standing on a sunlit forest path with golden autumn leaves in Telluride town park
Bride and groom first look in Telluride town park in a sunlit autumn forest with yellow leaves and trees
Bride and groom standing back to back outdoors in Telluride town park during autumn.
Bride and groom embracing in white wedding attire beside a rocky riverbed with scattered autumn leaves in Telluride, Colorado

Wedding First Look : The Pros

While I’m going to give you Pros and Cons to a Telluride first look. This decision is completely up to you two. I’m game for anything. Nor am I trying to persuade you one way or the other. I want to give you the facts so you can make an educated decision that’s right for the two of you! 

If you’re nervous or have an anxious personality, having a first look is a great way to ease that feeling. It’s a great decision for couples who want to spend some quiet time together before the ceremony. It gives you a moment before the day officially starts to connect with one another and take a deep breath. You’ll get some privacy.It’s a whirlwind once your guests arrive and having a first look gives you and your partner a few moments together before all of your family and friends surround you.A wedding is an intimate and emotional experience, and a first look means I can capture a couple together in that moment. Yes, walking down the aisle is emotional too, but you’re not together in those photos. Get the best of both worlds.A first look definitely doesn’t spoil the ceremony. You will be overwhelmed with emotion no matter what, so if you want to see your partner then don’t skip it!

Practicality can’t be ignored. A first look enables you to take a lot of your photos before the ceremony, so you can get to the cocktail hour and your reception soonerEspecially here in Telluride, my couples usually want to hit up a couple of different locations before their ceremony and reception. After all that is one of the reason why you chose to get married here, right? The beautiful and magical scenery!!?! The first look allows us to build that time into your timeline so we can travel to the places you want to go to. Capturing those special places without having anyone wait on you!Something to consider is if you’re wearing a veil. Leave it out for the first look and add it in for the ceremony. It makes for a fun surprise for your partner!Plan another escape at sunset. It’s nice to sneak away for 5-10 minutes during your reception at sunset with a glass of bubbles! Enjoy some more alone time and celebrate the fact that you’re married! The photos will be killer and you won’t regret some more alone time.

Bride in a white gown holding a bouquet walks through a snowy street in Telluride, Colorado beside a man in a dark coat
Telluride first look with a bride and groom in the snow
Bride and groom posing in a snowy outdoor scene near a black and white fence in Telluride Colorado
Bride and groom sharing a kiss, with a colorful ombre bouquet in the bride's hands in winter in Telluride
A Winter First Look

If you’re having a winter ceremony, a first look could be critical for you. Unless you’re getting married in the morning. The sun goes down in Telluride during the winter months around 4pm and you will want some photographs during the day light. Planning a first look will allow you to capture the natural beauty of your surroundings. Which is why you chose Telluride in the first place, eh? Plus, we’ll take care of your family photos before hand, allowing the photographs after your wedding to be dedicated to the two of you at sunset! Giving you more time to spend with your friends and family. Plus, you and your guests will also be a little warmer during the daylight hours.

 

Bride and groom holding hands in a snowy forest with tall pine trees in Telluride

Alternative First Look Options

If you choose not to have a first look, there are still ways to recreate the moment without taking away from your walk down the aisle.

Some couples will opt for a “first touch”. This is where a couple meets up on the other side of a wall or a door frame. They are still able to speak to one another or even hold hands but they can’t see each other. This is also a great time to read hand written notes to each other. 

Bride and groom standing outside a log cabin, holding a bouquet and wearing wedding attire for a first touch in Telluride

Have a father-daughter first look, a son-mother or a daughter-mother or any other combo that is special to you. These can bee just as emotional. As it’s the last time before he/she gets married.

First look with a daughter and father in a Telluride home
Bride and father hugging during a wedding celebration in Telluride
Bride smiling at her father wiping his eyes on her wedding day

A bridal party first look is a fun twist to the idea. Or a bridesmaid first look. This tends to be more exciting than emotional, but makes for great photos, nonetheless. 

 

telluride wedding party sees their bride for the first time outside at Gorrono Ranch
Bride and wedding party on a wooden deck outdoors at sunset at Gorrono Ranch in Telluride with the bride facing her bridal party in a wedding dress

First Look Questions

Where is the best place to have a first look?

The best place to have a first look is a place that has privacy and good lighting for photos. A remote location, with a beautiful back drop or a place with shade, if it’s the middle of summer and day (we want you to stay comfortable). A place that’s not visible to outsiders and where there’s minimal distraction is ideal. You want the moment to be as intimate as possible. And for some they want their immediate family around. I will help you determine a place that fits your style and what will work great for your day.

I will help guide you!

a father sees her daughter for the first time in her wedding dress

Where is the best place to have a first look?

The best place to have a first look is a place that has privacy and good lighting for photos. A remote location, with a beautiful back drop or a place with shade, if it’s the middle of summer and day (we want you to stay comfortable). A place that’s not visible to outsiders and where there’s minimal distraction is ideal. You want the moment to be as intimate as possible. And for some they want their immediate family around. It’s up to you!

 

What am I suppose to do during the first look?

Enjoy every bit of the moment! Don’t feel like you have to do anything except enjoy and be present in the moment with your love. If you feel like you need to add an extra element some couples decide to exchange gifts or notes. But simply ENJOY one another!

Telluride Bride sees her groom for the first time in beautiful nature in the middle of summer

So, is a first look right for you?

Forget for a minute what everyone else is doing.

Picture the day.

When the nerves kick in, do you want to reach for each other?

Or do you want the anticipation of waiting until that walk down the aisle?

There's your answer.

And whichever you choose, my job is to make sure you have the space to actually experience it—not turn it into a photo shoot.

Because years from now, I don't just want you to remember what that moment looked like.

I want the photographs to bring you right back to how it felt.

Learn more about Real Life Weddings

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