Our First Look {Part II}

These series of First Look photos are some of my favourtites from our wedding day. When our gallery of images was first posted online, I skimmed through the hundreds of proofs anxiously clicking through each page trying to soak it all in. Because of the size of the thumbnails, I was never really able to see the expressions and detail captured in each and every photo. Yet, when I took the time to really look through each image individually, and when I was able to study our facial expressions through each experience on that day, I could see how much emotion was in each shot. Seeing Andrew and I's expressions upon seeing one another for the first time, watching our expressions change throughout the entire experience, and seeing his expression when he opened his gift are truly so special to me. I've seen that face below only a few times in the five plus years I've known this man and I have to say I love it. Surprising and giving Andrew things to show him how much he means to me is one of my favourite things to do.

P.S. For anyone who is wondering, seeing Andrew before the ceremony did not take away from the excitement and experience of 'walking down the aisle' towards him. In actuality, if anything the first look helped me turn any feelings of nervousness and anxiousness from the whirlwind of that day into a complete sense of excitement that simply radiated from me as my Dad and I walked down the aisle. A lot of brides fear first looks as they think it will take away from that life changing experience when you start your walk. I can promise you that's not the case but to be fair, first looks aren't for everyone and I understand that. I just wanted to explain my personal experience!

What about you guys? Are you for or against the idea of a first look? Here is Part I of our First Look!

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Our First Look {Part I}

Andrew and I decided to do a first look. Although we never really discussed making this decision we just sort of fit it into our timeline that day. My thoughts were not only will a first look provide our photographer with a chance to get some photos of just the two of us, but having that time alone with Andrew would be unforgettable, meaningful and special all neatly bundled up into one pretty package; and it was. I request for him to have my bouquet in hand so when he turned around we could trade off and I could gift him with a custom engraved watch I had purchased for him as a surprise wedding gift. As I tiptoed up to him on the terrace of our venue, I felt a type of nervousness, excitement and quietness in my heart and belly that I'm not sure I have ever felt before. I knew all of our guests were inside peering out the various windows and doors anxiously awaiting Andrew's expression once he turned around, but the experience of seeing my groom for the first time that day is complete indescribable. Funny enough, as soon as Andrew turned around all I remember saying is "Hi" in a really low whisper, like I was afraid someone would hear us and impose in on our private little moment. As if projecting my voice any louder would make the moment seem any less perfect than it was. For the first few minutes we stood there unable to look at anything else around us, conversing back in forth in quiet whispers remembering to breath and let it all soak in. I remember shaking a little too. Shaking with anticipation as I told myself over and over again, 'This is your wedding day!' And just like that I knew I was the luckiest girl alive.

Stay tuned for Part II this afternoon!

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