Why You Might Skip the First Look… and Choose a Private Prayer Instead
There’s something so special about the moment you finally lock eyes on your wedding day — a moment that’s been dreamt about, prayed over, and imagined for years. For many couples, the “first look” has become the modern tradition: a private reveal before the ceremony, where nerves calm and photos are taken early.
And while we absolutely love capturing those intimate moments, we’ve seen something even more powerful unfold:
A private prayer.
Choosing to pray together — whether holding hands around a doorframe or standing back-to-back under the same sky — can be one of the most sacred and emotional moments of your entire day.
Here’s why you might want to skip the first look and choose a private prayer:
1. It Keeps the Anticipation
There’s nothing quite like the emotion that rises when the ceremony music starts, the doors open, and you see each other for the first time. Skipping a first look builds that anticipation, making that walk down the aisle feel even more magical. You get to experience that “movie moment” — not just for you, but for your guests, too.
2. It Grounds You in What Matters Most
Wedding days can fly by in a blur of timelines, photos, and happy chaos. But a private prayer is a pause. It’s a deep breath. It’s a chance to recenter your hearts on God, on your covenant, and on each other — without the distraction of how you look or how the dress falls. It’s not about photos. It’s about faith.
3. You Still Get That Quiet Moment Together
So many couples want a moment to connect before walking down the aisle. A private prayer offers that without fully “breaking the seal” of seeing each other. You can exchange a few words, shed a few tears, and maybe even read letters or Scripture — all while keeping the surprise alive for the ceremony.
4. It Sets the Tone for the Rest of the Day
Starting your wedding day with prayer invites peace, perspective, and purpose into everything that follows. We’ve seen couples step into their ceremonies more calm, more joyful, and more in tune with why they’re really there: not for the perfect shot or flawless timeline, but for a Christ-centered beginning to their forever.
5. It’s Just as Beautiful (If Not More) to Capture
As photographers and videographers, these moments of prayer are some of the most emotional we’ve ever documented. The way hands squeeze, tears fall, or smiles creep through — all without even seeing each other — it’s a moment that tells a powerful story of love, trust, and deep faith.
A Wedding Day Rooted in Prayer and Purpose
Your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime story. There’s no one “right” way to do it — only the way that feels most like you. If keeping that aisle moment sacred and choosing a quiet, intentional time to pray together sounds like something your heart is drawn to… we’re already cheering you on.
At Living Cross Photo & Film, we love helping couples design their day with purpose and presence. Whether you choose a first look, a private prayer, or something completely unique, we’re here to document it all with love, faith, and intention.
Want to see examples of how couples have made this moment their own? Reach out — we’d be honored to walk you through it.
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