First look: yes or no, and who it suits

What it is

A planned moment for the two of you before the ceremony, no guests — usually at the location or a quiet corner of the getting-ready venue. The photographers keep their distance; the moment is yours.

Why yes

• Light. Couple photos happen in the hour before sunset, when the light is best, instead of in the dark after the ceremony.
• Time. After the ceremony you're with your guests instead of vanishing for an hour.
• Calm. Most couples walk to the chuppah steadier once they've already seen each other.

Why not

• If it matters that the first moment happens in front of everyone, at the chuppah. It's one moment and can't be redone.
• Weddings where the ceremony is early anyway (winter, sunset at 4:45pm) — sometimes there's nothing to gain.

How we do it

Not "stand with your back turned". One arrives, the other waits, and we stay far enough that you hear only each other. Then forty to fifty minutes of couple photos, with family joining at the end. At venues where we can shoot on the grounds, none of this needs a car.

What decides it

The timeline. Build your day in the planner and see how much light is left after the ceremony on your date. If the answer is "none", that's the answer.