If you’re planning a Catholic wedding, you’ve probably gone back and forth on whether or not you want to see each other before the ceremony. And the good news is, there really isn’t a wrong answer. A Catholic wedding first look can give you extra time together before Mass and make your timeline a little easier, but waiting for that moment when you walk down the aisle can be just as special. I will never push my couples one way or the other because this is one of those decisions that really should come down to what feels right for the two of you!
Reasons You Might Want a Catholic Wedding First Look
There are definitely some practical reasons a first look can make sense, especially with a Catholic wedding timeline. Maybe your Mass is later in the day or after sunset and you really want those gorgeous portraits outside while there’s still plenty of light. Or maybe getting photos inside your church is important to you, but there’s a Saturday evening Mass shortly after your wedding and you won’t have much time in the church afterward. There’s a reason so many Catholic weddings happen around noon or 1 p.m. on Saturdays!
A first look gives us the option to take care of more portraits beforehand without rushing through them after Mass. But it doesn’t have to be just about photos. You can use that time to pray together, exchange letters, or simply have a few quiet minutes with your person before everything begins. And if you know seeing each other will calm some of those pre-ceremony nerves, that alone might make it worth it.
No Catholic Wedding First Look? Wait for the Aisle Moment
Now, if you’ve always pictured the first time your groom sees you being when you walk down the aisle, I completely understand that too. Honestly, the groom’s reaction as his bride comes down the aisle is one of my favorite things to photograph. There’s something about that moment happening with your family and friends around you and the Mass about to begin that you really can’t recreate.
And choosing not to do a first look doesn’t mean you can’t have a moment together beforehand. A pre-Mass prayer is such a good middle ground. You could hold hands around the corner of a doorway, sit in separate pews with one of you behind the other, or find another spot where you can be together without actually seeing each other. Say a Hail Mary, pray a decade of the Rosary, exchange letters, or simply take a few minutes to be together before Mass begins. You still get that time to reconnect while saving the actual first look for the aisle.
First Looks Aren’t Just for the Bride and Groom
One of my favorite things about first looks is that your groom doesn’t have to be the only person you do one with. A first look with your dad, grandparents, siblings, bridesmaids, or your entire bridal party can be such a fun part of getting ready. These usually don’t take much time, but they can create some of the sweetest reactions and give you a chance to slow down with the people closest to you.
You can even incorporate your priest into your pre-Mass plans. A first look or prayer with your priest before the ceremony can be a really meaningful way to center yourselves before heading into Mass. There are so many ways to make those final moments before your Catholic wedding ceremony feel like you without feeling like you have to follow one specific timeline.
Planning Your Catholic Wedding Timeline? Hire Me As Your Tulsa Wedding Photographer!
First look, no first look, pre-Mass prayer, or a little combination of everything, I’m here for whatever feels most like the two of you. We can build your photography timeline around the moments that matter to you while also working with your church schedule, portrait priorities, and the logistics that come with a Catholic wedding day. If you’re planning a Catholic wedding and want a photographer who understands both the beauty of the Mass and all of the little timing details that come along with it, I’d love to document it with you. Head to my contact page so we can chat about the ideas you have! If you want to learn more about me and what I do, click here. Can’t wait to hear from you!
