10 tips to get the best wedding photos, part 5: Consider a First Look
Picture this: The anticipation of your wedding day is building, your heart is pounding, and then, for just a moment, time stands still.
Before the ceremony, you take a private pause with your partner—a deeply personal, profoundly emotional exchange where you really soak in “ This is happening “ feeling. This is how powerful a first look can be. And after decades of capturing weddings in Montreal, I can say with absolute certainty: it’s one of the best choices you can make for your wedding experience.
What is a First Look?
A First Look is a carefully orchestrated moment where couples see each other before the ceremony in a private, uninterrupted setting. It’s an intimate, emotionally charged experience that allows you to embrace, breathe, and connect—without the audience, without the distractions—just you and your better half.
Groom’s reaction when seeing his bride for the first time
Why Montreal Couples Are Choosing a First Look
1. Unfiltered, Genuine Emotion
An emotional groom anticipating the first look
A Montreal Couple on their first look
A Montreal groom waiting to see his bride for the first time
A Montreal groom’s jubilant reaction when seeing his bride
A happy first look reaction by a Montreal groom
A Montreal bride emotional reaction during the first look
After photographing countless weddings across Montreal, Laval, South Shore. Eastern Townships, Quebec City area, Ottawa, Grand Toronto Area and the Laurentians, I’ve observed one universal truth: when couples see each other in private, the raw emotion is undeniable. No distractions, no stage—just pure, unscripted connection. Some of the most breathtaking, heartfelt images I’ve ever captured have happened in these sacred moments.
2. Unparalleled Portrait Opportunities
When you opt for a First Look, you’re gifting yourself time—time to create luxurious, editorial-quality wedding portraits in some of Montreal’s most iconic wedding spots, free from the time constraints of a post-ceremony rush. It allows for a more relaxed, artful storytelling approach, ensuring your images reflect not just how your day looked, but how it felt.
Montreal Bride and Groom in front of Montreal’s City Hall
3. A Seamless, Elevated Wedding Day Experience
Emotional Bride and Groom moment
Having worked with some of the top wedding planners in Montreal, Westmount, Rivière-des-Prairies, Saint Leonard, Ville Saint Saulrent, LaSalle, Dollard-Des Ormeaux, West Island, Ville-Marie, Point Charles and the Old Port, I’ve seen firsthand how a well-structured timeline enhances the entire day. A First Look ensures your schedule is stress-free, giving you more time to enjoy the celebration and be present with your guests.
4. Easing Pre-Ceremony Nerves
Even the most composed couples feel wedding-day nerves. The weight of the moment, the energy of the crowd—it’s exhilarating but can also be overwhelming. A First Look allows you to share a grounding moment of calm together, transforming nerves into excitement.
5. Maximizing Golden Hour Magic in Montreal
When portraits are completed earlier in the day, we unlock the golden hour—the soft, ethereal light that makes for the most striking, timeless imagery. Instead of rushing to fit everything in post-ceremony, we create magic in the best possible conditions, whether it’s in Mont Royal Park, Old Montreal, or a vineyard in the Eastern Townships.
Sunset image of a Bride and Groom after their first look
Bride & Groom in front of a Church
Bride & Groom In Montreal
Bride & Groom in a Montreal Wedding
Bride and Groom in a Montreal Wedding
But What About Tradition?
Tradition holds deep significance, and for some, waiting until the altar is a non-negotiable. However, I have witnessed again and again that a First Look does not diminish that moment—in fact, it often enhances it. The overwhelming joy and anticipation remain, and the emotions are just as potent. Many couples have told me, “We still cried at the altar—it was just as powerful, if not more.”
Is a First Look Right for You?
A First Look isn’t just a trend—it’s an intentional choice for couples who value both experience and artistry. It’s for those who want to immerse themselves in the emotions of their day, move through it with ease, and capture once-in-a-lifetime images in the most stunning way possible.
As an internationally recognized wedding photographer specializing in Montreal, my role is to curate an experience that is seamless, timeless, and unforgettable. If you’re considering a First Look, let’s craft something extraordinary together. Contact me today by clicking here to begin creating a wedding photography experience as exquisite as your love story.
