First Look, First Touch, or Aisle Reveal?
Expert guidance from Charlotte wedding photographer Michael Parks
One of the most common questions my couples ask me during our wedding photography planning is:
“Should we do a first look, a first touch, or wait until the ceremony to see each other?”
After years of photographing weddings throughout Charlotte as a PPA Certified Professional Photographer, and a photographer known for creating timeless images in both digital and film, I’ve seen firsthand how each option shapes the couple’s experience of their wedding day.
There is no “right” or “wrong” choice; the best decision is the one that feels most authentic to the couple.
First Look: A Quiet Moment Before the Ceremony
A first look is a reserved viewing of the bride, before she walks down the aisle. This experience intentionally carves out individual time for a meaningful moment with the bride. Most often, this moment is shared with the groom—but it doesn’t have to stop there. Sometimes it’s the father of the bride, the bridesmaids, or all of them. From a photography standpoint, first looks provide space for unhurried, elegant portraits — whether captured digitally or on film—while everyone is fully in the moment.
The first look also has a beautiful side benefit: it calms nerves before a big ceremony, allowing couples to be more present and settled. My role is to guide everyone into position, set the stage thoughtfully, and then step back—allowing the moment to unfold naturally. What follows is always priceless: raw emotion, laughter, tears, and genuine connection during the getting-ready portion of the day.
And, on occasion, a first look is a truly funny and unexpected surprise.
First Touch: Intimate, Without Seeing Each Other
A first touch allows the bride and groom to connect without actually seeing one another. Often, I’ll arrange the couple back to back, so they can hold hands while remaining unseen. During the first touch, couples often exchange private vows, pray together, read letters, and or exchange gifts
It’s a personal experience that builds anticipation for the ceremony, while preserving the excitement of the visual reveal. As a wedding photographer, the first touch is powerful with its subtle gestures, tightening hands, and soft smiles that tell a beautiful story.
Traditional: Seeing Each Other for the First Time at the Altar
Many couples still choose to honor the traditional custom of seeing each other for the first time at the altar. There’s a reason this moment has endured for generations. The intensity of that first glance is shared not only between the couple, but with everyone gathered to witness it. It’s unforgettable. I remember seeing my wife for the first time at the altar - priceless.
Some couples also choose to open letters or exchange gifts privately before the ceremony, even if they wait for the aisle reveal. These quiet, personal moments create meaningful balance—offering intimacy before stepping into the shared, ceremonial experience.
The Best Choice Is the One That Feels Like You
Your wedding day should feel and be exactly as you wish it to be.
I’ve helped couples beautifully pull off first looks, first touches, and traditional aisle reveals—and they are always incredible because they reflect the couple’s intentions, values, and personalities.
As Charlotte’s go-to photographer for refined, timeless wedding imagery in both film and digital, my job is to help you create space for real emotion, intentional moments, and photographs that feel honest and lasting.
When your choices are rooted in what matters most to you, the result is always something special.
“
There is one thing the photo must contain – the humanity of the moment.
”
Robert Frank