I’ve shared some of my reasons for why I think a First Look is a great option on your wedding day. It’s a great way to get amazing portraits & have a powerful, emotional moment in a rare slice of alone-time, just to name a few.

But there’s another first look that I think should be considered as well. The father-of-the-bride seeing his girl in her dress.

I may be a little partial to this because of my own family history & wedding day experience… It ended up being a tradition that for any of my school dances, my dad never saw my dress until I was all done up and ready to go. He’d see it for the first time with hair done, make up done.

I knew after all of those middle school and high school nights of seeing his reaction to me in my dress, that I wanted it to be the same on my wedding day. So true to tradition, my dad didn’t get to see my dress until the big day, and I made sure to request that my photographer get photos of his reaction & that moment for the two of us.

My dad has always asked me “Wanna know a secret?” and when I’d respond yes, he’d tell me “I love you.” (Yes – I have the best dad!)

So when I walked up to him & had to say something to let him know to turn around, I just asked him “Wanna know a secret?” …Cue the tears!

Outside of all of the little personal traditions that made that moment so special for my dad and me, it was a great way to honor him, the first man of my life, on the day I became a wife. He did so much to show me what to look for in a partner by the way he loves my mom and the way he raised me, and it was important to me that he feel loved on that day too.

Many brides have a special connection with their fathers, and this is such an incredible way to celebrate that relationship! It is so worth the additional 15 minutes in the timeline, trust me.

And if I happen to be photographing your father daughter first look in the future, just pretend to ignore the tears that’ll probably be in my eyes afterward!

For more in the For Brides series, check out these posts: 

• Wedding Day Details
• The First Look
• Engagement Photos
• Intentional Planning