Bella Collina

3 Reasons You Should Do A First Look

There are many reasons to do a first look with your significant other before your ceremony. I am an Orlando wedding photographer and about 70% of my couples opt to do a first look. I’m going to give you 3 reasons why you should do a First Look.

Disney Wedding - Bride and Groom First Look - Orlando Florida

Emotion is a big theme on a wedding day and your first look is no exception. Some of my favorite photos are from first looks, and I’m not going to lie to you, I’ve definitely cried at a couple of them. It’s all of the emotion from your relationship built up to an epic and beautiful moment. A moment you’ll remember for the rest of your lives. Imagine it, you are walking up to your fiance after a long time of planning, and you whisper a cute inside joke in his ear that only you and your significant other understand. They turn around and Insert a fantastic reaction here. I’m crying just thinking about it. This shit gets heavy! As a wedding photographer who’s been at this for years and has chosen to do a first look at his own wedding, the emotional aspect is not lost when your love comes down the aisle.


I loved having a first look because it gave me and my husband some time to relax before the ceremony. It was such a special moment together. We had time to take pictures together beforehand so after the ceremony we could get to the party as soon as possible.
— Kylie

Time is another reason I always recommend doing a first look. As much as we all wish this special day would last forever, it moves by pretty quickly. The first look allows more time for family photos, bridal and groom portraits, as well as the two of you together. Time also helps with relaxing and taking some breathers during the day, the more time we have, the more you both get to enjoy the special moments. I try to give my couples a little bit of time after the first look to just enjoy each other’s company.

Howey Mansion First Look - Orlando Wedding Photographer

I got a reaction that I never imagined. I was shocked when he turned around, happily shouted, and acted like a giddy little kid. It was the best feeling, seeing that kind of excitement. We would have missed out on such a genuine, fun reaction had we waited until the ceremony. The first look took a lot of nerves and stress away from the wedding itself. It was such a fun and raw moment that we had no idea we needed.
— Abbie

Bella Collina - Orlando Wedding Photographer - First Look

The third reason you should do a First Look is for your cocktail hour! You paid a lot of hard-earned money to be able to enjoy your wedding day to the fullest, believe me, cocktail hour has some amazing hors d'oeuvres that you do not want to miss. Being able to take all of the family photos and your portraits beforehand allows you the time to enjoy your guests and those delicious. Also, your guests love you and want to be able to see and congratulate you on this momentous occasion.


Bonus Reason! Calming the nerves. From experience, I felt a sense of relief and overall warmth when I saw my bride during our First Look. Damn did she look stunning!

I hope these reasons are able to help you on your planning journey. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

Happy Planning!

Orlando Wedding Venues

Orlando Wedding Venues

Luxmore Wedding Venue

Orlando is home to absolutely beautiful wedding venues so whatever your style is, you have a lot to choose from. Luckily for you engaged couples, you can head over to www.weddingvenuemap.com and filter through all of the options until you see your perfect venue match. We’ve had the pleasure of photographing at most of these venues and each wedding is unique with great staff. I might be biased, but one of my favorite Orlando Wedding Venues is the Orlando Science Center where my wife and I got married <3 I have not had a chance to photograph a wedding there yet, but I look forward to that day! Without further adieu, here are some amazing Orlando wedding venues for you to help with your planning.

Orlando Wedding Venues

Venue Name: 1010 West

Venue Style Categories: Unique, Historic

Maximum Guest Count: 300

Price Range: $ Affordable

Indoor / Outdoor / Both: Indoor

Catering: Preferred List

Bar: Choose Your Own

Website: https://www.1010west.com

Email: info@1010west.com

Phone: 321-444-3584

1010 West is a hidden gem in Central Florida. Just south of downtown Orlando, it’s a unique space like no other. This historic airplane hangar has a modern, industrial vibe with a rounded roof and indoor market lights. The textures all come together just right including wood, brick and concrete. There is nothing like this venue! 


Venue Name: 1885 Events at Rollins College

Venue Style Categories: Historic, Religious Setting, Unique

Maximum Guest Count: 200

Price Range: $$ - Average

Indoor / Outdoor / Both: Both

Catering: Included

Bar: Included

Website: https://1885events.com/

Email: cschloot@rollins.edu

Phone: 407-646-2541

Knowles Chapel at Rollins College has a long history of exclusive use for weddings granted to only their alumni. The college has added a new reception space with an outdoor or indoor cocktail hour area combined with a large reception space with a stunning fireplace focal point. The venue can be rented for both ceremony and reception or just the reception venue space and is also a wonderful option for Winter Park wedding rehearsal dinners. 

Rollins College - Engagement Photos

Venue Name: 310 Lakeside

Venue Style Categories: Restaurant, Waterfront, Ballroom

Maximum Guest Count: 100

Price Range: $$ Average

Indoor / Outdoor / Both: Both

Catering: Included

Bar: Included

Website: https://310restaurant.com/orlando-310-restaurants-party

Email: events@310restaurant.com

Phone: 407-730-6249

310 Lakeside is located in the heart of downtown Orlando, just across the street from Lake Eola. With an intimate patio with a garden feel, you have endless possibilities of photo opportunities using this area for your intimate wedding ceremony or as the backdrop of your portraits. The indoor private dining is just the right size with floor to ceiling windsor and a romantic vibe. 


Venue Name: Azalea Lodge at Mead Gardens

Venue Style Categories: Garden, Park, Ballroom

Maximum Guest Count: 150

Price Range: $$ - Average

Indoor / Outdoor / Both: Both

Catering: Included

Bar: Included

Website: https://www.dubsdreadcatering.com/azalea-lodge-mead-gardens

Email: events@historicdubs.com

Phone: 407-650-9558

Newly managed by Dubsdread Catering, the Azalea Lodge at Mead Gardens has both natural beauty and rustic charm. The 48-acre garden is full of tucked away spaces for the perfect photos. This wedding venue has multiple ceremony location choices and is famous for its amphitheater. With new upgrades coming in 2020, the reception space is a blank canvas for you to design. 


Venue Name: Bella Collina

Venue Style Categories: Ballroom, Golf/Country Club, Elopement

Maximum Guest Count: 250

Price Range: $$$ - Luxury

Indoor / Outdoor / Both: Both

Catering: Included

Bar: Included

Website: https://www.bellacollina.com/weddings-events/weddings

Email: weddingsandevents@bellacollina.com

Phone: 407-469-4941

What’s not to love about this Tuscan inspired wedding venue? As one of Central Florida’s most sought after spaces, Bella Collina has the feel of a destination wedding to Italy just 35 minutes from downtown Orlando. The beautifully landscaped grounds provide many options for ceremony options and both indoor and outdoor reception spaces. 

Bella Collina - Orlando Wedding Venue

Venue Name: Dr. Phillips House

Venue Style Categories: Garden, Historic, Inn / B&B

Maximum Guest Count: 200

Price Range: $$ - Average

Indoor / Outdoor / Both: Both

Catering: Included

Bar: Included

Website: http://www.drphillipshouse.com

Email: angie@milleniacatering.com

Phone: 407-716-5627

Charming is the perfect word to describe this unique downtown Orlando wedding location. The outdoor garden has been upgraded with beautiful pavers and overhead lighting. The indoor venue area feels like you are having a wedding at a grand victorian home with connected spaces. Make sure to tour the wine cellar - it’s one of our favorite rooms! 

Dr. Phillips House - Orlando Wedding Venue

Venue Name: Falcon's Fire Golf Club

Venue Style Categories: Ballroom, Golf/Country Club, Waterfront

Maximum Guest Count: 200

Price Range: $$ - Average

Indoor / Outdoor / Both: Both

Catering: Included

Bar: Included

Website: www.falconsfire.com

Email: llyons@falconsfire.com

Phone: 407-390-0982

This country club setting is very private but close enough to the action Central Florida is famous for. The best part of this venue is the ability to customize everything from your ceremony location to your package choice. The spacious, newly renovated ballroom has a feel of country club tradition with soft, warm tones and decorative chandeliers. Their flexible team is willing to make anything happen, including a helicopter arrival. 


Venue Name: Luxmore Grande Estate

Venue Style Categories: Ballroom, Historic, Mansion

Maximum Guest Count: 200

Price Range: $$ - Average

Indoor / Outdoor / Both: Both

Catering: Included

Bar: Included

Website: www.luxmoregrande.com

Email: events@luxmoregrande.com

Phone: 407-749-0783

Have you dreamt of hosting your wedding at an estate home? The feeling from just driving into this venue is just over-the-top luxury. From the entrance fountain to the white pillar facade and the grand staircase upon entering, you feel like you stepped into a chic southern estate. This venue offers both indoor and outdoor event space and is available year-round for rental. 

Luxmore Grand Estate - Orlando Wedding Venue - Groom

Venue Name: Orlando Science Center

Venue Style Categories: Museum/Gallery, Skyline/Rooftop, Unique

Maximum Guest Count: 250

Price Range: $$ - Average

Indoor / Outdoor / Both: Both

Catering: Required List

Bar: Required List

Website: http://www.osc.org/meetings-events/weddings/

Email: htillem@osc.org

Phone: 407-514-2290

Think outside the box of what you can do with this unique wedding venue. The Orlando Science Center offers a beautiful skyline terrace with downtown views in the distance. Thinking more about celebrating inside? They have unique spaces including DinoDigs and Our Planet that allow for a fun, eclectic wedding. 


Venue Name: Paradise Cove

Venue Style Categories: Beach, Waterfront, Elopement

Maximum Guest Count: 300

Price Range: $$ - Average

Indoor / Outdoor / Both: Outdoor

Catering: Required List

Bar: Professional Bartender Required

Website: http://www.paradisecoveorlando.com

Email: kayli@paradisecoveorlando.com

Phone: 407-239-6939

Have you been dreaming of a beach wedding but the thought of everyone driving to the coast is just too much work? Look no further than Paradise Cove, central Florida’s only beach-style wedding venue. Perfectly situated on Little Lake Bryan in Lake Buena Vista, the white sandy beaches, swaying palms, and cypress trees transport you to a hidden paradise. This venue is perfect for a wedding in paradise.  


At Wedding Venue Map, our mission is simple: We give everyone searching for a wedding venue one place to go to find EVERY one of the options and be able to sort by what specifically they are looking for. Find your perfect wedding venue and then come back for a curated list of the best wedding vendors in Central Florida. 

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Thank you Shannon Tarrant and everyone else at Wedding Venue Map for helping couples all over Central Florida!

Stefanie + Jesse's Wedding - Bella Collina - Orlando, Florida

Dream Team

Photography: Sonacity Photography

Videography: Sonacity Productions

Venue: Bella Collina

Wedding Planner: Blush by Brandee Gaar

Sparkler Exit: FyreFly Productions

Dress: Bridal Gallery Couture

Floral: Lee James Floral

Hair | Makeup: Angelica Chrysler

Cake: Sugar Sugar Custom Cake Boutique

Tables | Linens | Rentals: A Chair Affair

Lighting: Simply Lighting

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