Weddingbee Blog

In the beginning, Mr. Dolphin wasn’t completely on board with the first look idea. The first look seems to be a relatively new wedding trend. My parents had no idea what I was talking about when I mentioned it, and many of my friends who were married only a few years ago hadn’t heard of it when they were planning their weddings. I searched the Internet for some great examples to show to Mr. Dolphin and even made a little pros-and-cons list for him to look at. In the end, Mr. Dolphin was on board (anything to keep his stressed-out bride happy). After it was all said and done, Mr. Dolphin says that this set of pictures are some of his favorites from our wedding. Bride: 1, groom: 0.

I believe that the first look is such an important moment on your wedding day. Many brides and grooms are hell-bent on not seeing each other until the ceremony (which is tradition), but, having a first look and seeing each other alone is so much more intimate (in our eyes). We both were so excited to see each other and get a moment to take in everything that was happening that day…we were getting married!

Enough of my jibber-jabbering—the pictures truly say it all.

I’m trying to contain my excitement, but failing at it. I had never been so excited to see him in my life!

At this moment was so excited that I stomped my feet up and down on the bridge quickly so that he could hear me coming.

I’m here Mr. Dollllppppppphhhhinn!

Mr. Dolphin checking our my dress—the elusive little white dress he had been hearing about for MONTHS.

This is right after Mr. Dolphin kissed me and got my lipstick all over his lips. He was smacking his lips together all funny. It was perfect. He made me laugh and I certainly needed a good laugh on our wedding day. Nerves, anyone?

That smile… agh, I just love him so much!

Mr. Dolphin checking out the detail on my dress and all of my accessories. Even months later, when he sees a picture of us from our that day, he still tells me how beautiful I looked on our wedding day. He’s so sweet.

Accessories: Watters Dress, J Crew Pave Crystal Heels, Handle & Spout hair flowers, Tulip Couture clutch, Aquamarine drop earrings

Truth be told, I don’t think our family was completely on board with our first look idea ’til after they saw our first look pictures. I remember telling my parents that we were going to see each other before the ceremony and I will never forget the shocked looks on their faces (they are very traditional). They also had this same shocked looks when I told them that the dress I wanted wasn’t white (it was champagne). They eventually came around when they heard all of the positives: it would allow for more time for pictures, there would be less time between the ceremony and reception taking photos, which would give us more time with our guests. My parents were really good sports with all of my slightly nontraditional ideas for Mr. Dolphin’s and my wedding.

Having a first look gave us time so that we could get all the fun pictures we wanted (which is coming up next!) and allowed us to just hang out and chill. We weren’t rushed; we had nowhere to be for an hour and a half. It was perfection. The downtime included just Mr. Dolphin, me, and our two photographers and two videographers (okay, we were quite a crew). We frolicked all over the Plantation Bay Country Club property. I had time to really think about which pictures we wanted, what would make for a good background, etc. I was one of THOSE brides who directed our photographers a little. I was out of control. I could have taken pictures with Mr. Dolphin for hours if I hadn’t gotten so hungry/sweaty/thirsty/tired. I remember wanting to take a nap right before our ceremony. Staying up all night before your wedding is never a good idea.

Did you plan to have a first look? What was your deciding moment to have a first look? If you decided not to, why? I’d love to hear what y’all think of this (relatively) new wedding trend.

And in case you missed it, this is what’s happened so far:

• A moment with Dolphin Dad
• We got silly with our iPhones
• The girls and I mastered laughing
• I put on that little white dress
• The boys got full of themselves
• I was hung over while getting our hair did
• We rehearsed with yummy BBQ
• The ladies lunched

*All photos by Ben and Amy Starks of Starks Photography