Choosing to do a first look was something we always agreed on…once I explained what it is to Mr. PaC! Neither of us was superstitious about seeing each other before the ceremony. In fact, he hung out in the bridal suite part of the morning! Our decision to have a first look was practical and romantic, an odd pairing for sure. It would allow us to streamline the jam-packed post-ceremony schedule, provide us with one-on-one time to calm any nerves, and give us those swoon-worthy couples shots every couple desires.
Giddy!
I waited alone in the bridal suite until the photographers signaled they were ready. With my first step toward my groom, I knew there would be no slowing down the whirlwind of love and happiness that was bearing down on us. Everything would go by in a blink. Silently and thoughtfully, I reminded myself to be present since I do not possess a superpower that would capture every glorious moment.
One last once-over before meeting my groom!
Our first look was very intimate: just the two of us and the photographers. Setting it up felt like an elaborate game of hide-and-seek. I knew who I was seeking but not where he was hiding, as the location of the first look was a surprise since I left it to the photographers to select the best spot. The photographers got into position. Mr. PaC waited patiently at the bottom on the stairs. Ready or not, here I come!
“I hear the rustle of a bustle,” Mr. PaC quips as I descend the stairs.
Daring not to look
I don’t think I breathed once as I descended those last stairs. I had tunnel vision and it was locked on Mr. PaC. There was no one else. Time slowed and all noise, except the soft swishing of my dress, disappeared, just like it did for our engagement.
The magical few seconds before the rest of our lives change!
Photos like these are why we made room in our budget for a second shooter. Without the extra camera, I would have never seen Mr. PaC’s anticipatory grin!
“Hey there!”
“Well, what do you think? Is my dress what you imagined?”
Eyes locked and a tender kiss
Our first look rolled into the first series of bride and groom portraits featuring the dramatic architecture details as our backdrop. The natural light pouring in that huge window was killer! How genius is our photographer for choosing this location?!
Lounging like we own the place
Eeeeee—one of my top five favorite (couples) photos!
Muchas smoochas!
Blissed out!
Another delicious black and white photo—adore the gown detail!
Heather squeezed in a quick bridal portrait in front of that amazing window…and then it was time to head outside.
One of the rare rear views of the gown un-bustled. Love the way it draped and folded. *sigh*
If you think this concludes the dramatic couples photos, you’re in for a treat! Brace yourself because the Pain au Chocolat photos just don’t stop. You’ll be begging for mercy before the end. Picking our favorites among the hundreds of bride and groom portraits was no easy task. We were overjoyed with how stunning our photographers made us look. (They must have a magic lens!)
Our first stop was the boxwood garden where our ceremony would be held. The tea room, opposite the ceremony site along the boxwood-edged flagstone path, provided a lovely backdrop for our “secret garden” portraits.
We are kissing in so many of these…but it’s our wedding! An extra kissing shot here or there isn’t so awful.
A serious one (It helps if you’re not looking at the camera.)
The serious faces don’t last long; we prefer to laugh.
A lot.
The silhouetting in the following shots is just stunning.
Told you—another kissing shot
Best friends
Smirk #1
Smirk #2
A shout out to one of our engagement photos
Laughing again
Reacting to seeing some of my favorite people. Mr. PaC feigns surprise to mirror my genuine delight.
From the boxwood garden, we trekked across the mansion’s rear lawn to locations our photographers scouted in advance.
My sash takes flight in lieu of a veil.
A romantic gesture
K-i-s-s-i-n-g under the chestnut tree
A favorite that became a Facebook and Pinterest profile pic
The generational difference: My mom couldn’t understand why the photographer cut our heads off, ruining an otherwise great photo. Moms are cute like that.
Miniature bride and groom
Leaning in for a sweet kiss
Phew! That concludes our first look and couples portraits. Will you do a first look too?
(all photos by Heather Fowler Photography, unless otherwise noted)
Catch up on our PaC recaps!
Days Before
Wedding Morning
Portraits
I love these photos, especially the ones under the giant tree! Gorgeous!
The pictures in the garden in front of the house with the lush greenery are beautiful!
You have such an amazing photographer!!!! You photos turned out lovely. And your dress is growing on me more and more; it looks perfect and elegant in your portraits with Mr. PaC.
Great post.
GORGEOUS Photos… thanks for sharing so many of them (this is a case where more is good)
Loved your “First Look”… cute, classic, majestic, in sooo many ways. The stairway location and the lighting certainly make it fabulous.
And I’m sure I’ve said it before, but it is worth repeating… STUNNING DRESS !!
I love all of these photos! Your first look location is great as are the outdoor photos! love both the black and white and color!
yes! i love these! we have a nice dramatic staircase like that in our venue too and these just sealed the deal – that’s the place for the first look. you both look amazing.
Lovely! I think a first look would have given us more photo opportunities, but it was important to Mr. D to do things the traditional way. 
These are all so gorgeous, I love all the locations you picked for your photos!
Hahahaha, my Mom is always asking me “Why are people’s heads cut off and why are there so many pictures of shoes?!?” I agree, it’s a generational difference
These are stunning! You had great photographers, that first look location is amazing!
@Mrs. Hyena & @bracelet: Those two locations are my favorites too!
@LissaBeans, @Porkchop, & @Mrs. Trail Mix: Thank you! We were very happy with how they turned out!
@MsVoyageur: See, it’s comments like that make me want to keep my dress!
@This Time Round: Thanks! I worried I had too many photos but narrowing them down would have been difficult. The stairs were a perfect location for our first look – very private and dramatic. If it would have rained, that’s where the ceremony would have been. Again, your comments encourage me to hold onto the dress!
@paw: I had a hard time deciding between black and white vs color, but I think the b&w win out for the interior shots. They’re so dramatic with the light, shadows and my dress details.
@Miss Gray Wolf: Thanks, that’s all thanks to our photographers! They chose the first look spot. Always trust your photographers!
@Mrs. Dragon: I bet your first look as you walked down the aisle to him are even more dramatic and emotional. I couldn’t take that risk – those emotions/moments had to be private in case I cried or lost it all together.
@Mrs. Pony: All of the locations were scouted by our superb photographers! I can’t take credit for any of it!
@purpeley: hahaha, yes I told my mom that they are detail shots or a more journalistic style… or failing that, I made a funny face so the photo was cropped!
@Miss Sword: I need to think of an excuse to have our photographer do another shoot with us. We had so much fun!
@ChicagoDreamer: We got so lucky with our venue! Glad we spent all those months searching for the perfect one. It almost steals the show in some of the pics!
@Red Poppy: Thank you! I adore my dress, still!!!
Mrs. Pain au Chocolat, Wilmington, DE Age and Occupation: 29, Realtor Fiance's Age and Occupation: 34, Realtor Engagement Date: November 21, 2009 Wedding Date: June 2011 Venue: Greenville Country Club About Me: An ENFJ with an artistic streak who loves backgammon, sailing, graphic design, and sleeping in. Travel (near or far), good wine, and tasty food makes my heart sing. I'm a compulsive list-maker who lives to plan and organize. Mr. P and I have lived together for 4 years, all the while renovating our city townhome bit by bit. We're planning a whimsical, Anthropologie-inspired garden wedding in June 2011.
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