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16 First Looks with Dad

February

16 Father Daughter First Looks

But there is a new first look that is sweeping the bridal world- a first look with dad! This is all about capturing the moment when the bride’s dad sees his baby girl for the first time in her wedding dress.

Should You Do a First Look with Your Dad?

I am completely obsessed with this maybe not-so-new trend. Its definitely something I wish I did with my Dad, but when I got married, (nearly 10 years ago now!) this wasn’t a thing. But now, it is something I recommend to all of my brides who are close with their fathers.

What I love about the father daughter first look, is that it doesn’t have to take long- just a couple of minutes, really. There tends to be less set up and staging than the traditional first look. The first look with dad is a bit more laid back. Yet, it’s still a very sweet moment that you will probably remember for the rest of your life. And he definitely will!

Also, having a father daughter first look can be a great alternative if you are not doing a first look with your fiancé, although many of my brides do both!

So, today I am sharing with you 16 of my favorite father daughter first looks that I have photographed so far in my career!

Who Do You Do a First Look With?

Also, just a quick side note- you can do a first look with anyone who is important in your life. It does not have to only be with your dad or fiancé. I’ve seen adorable first looks with bridesmaids, dogs and other meaningful friends and family members! So don’t be afraid to get creative when it comes to planning your first looks!

1. Kristen

First up, we have Kristen, who opted to do a first look with her dad on the balcony of her bridal suite at the Wave Resort overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. After the first look, she gifted him a pair of cufflinks that say, “I loved her first“. I love this so much and actually gave my dad the same gift before our wedding!

2. Caitlin & Her Father

Caitlin made a grand entrance down the stairs to not only her dad, but her bridal party as well. There were more than a few tears during this extremely heartfelt moment!

3. Ali’s First Look With Dad

Read More: Winter Wedding at Park Savoy

Ali and Tyler got married in January at the gorgeous Park Savoy in Florham Park. Before a first look with her fiancé, she had the sweetest first look with her dad inside the bridal sweet.

4. Lauren (My dear cousin!)

My beautiful bride, Lauren also happens to be my 3rd cousin. I was so excited when she asked me to photograph her wedding. I remember her when she was a little girl so it was so special to be there on her big day and capture these incredible moments with her dad who I also grew up with.

5. Isabella

Isabella opted to forgo the first look with her fiancé, Peter for a more traditional aisle moment. But, we decided to set up a quick first look with her dad before heading to the church and I am so glad we did!

6. Jenna

Poor Jenna had so many changes to her wedding! She is one of my covid brides and had to reschedule her wedding 3 times! She even changed her wedding venue. Finally, on the date she got ending up raining all day. But all of that didn’t stop her from marrying the love of her life. And I love this cute moment we captured with her dad before the first look with her fiancé, Ray. I love how nervous her dad looks in the first picture! But after he saw his daughter, he was all smiles!

7. Kristen & Her Dad

I loved seeing Kristen’s dad’s reaction to seeing her for the first time! He was all smiles when he saw his baby girl. For this first look, we kept it more casual, setting Kristen up in her parents’s room (where she got dressed) and having her dad walk in.

8. Amanda & Her Dad

Amanda and her dad are super close, so she opted to do the first look with her dad, outside. We set this up as a more traditional first look would be, having her dad face away, then Amanda walked up from behind and gave him a tap on the shoulder.

9. Christina’s First Look

Next, we have Christina, who got ready in her childhood home and opted for the first look with her dad to be on the picturesque staircase in their entryway. This first look absolutely melts my heart. I love the real emotion on both of their faces!

Read More: North Hills Country Club Wedding

10. Cathy and Her Dad at Olde Mill Inn

Cathy also requested that her first look with dad also be outside. I remember he was so nervous before seeing his daughter (I find this a lot with grooms too!) But I love his reaction and the look on his face. His jaw literally dropped!

11. Alessandra

Read More: Nanina’s in the Park Wedding

Next, Alessandra also got ready in her childhood home before making it official in her local church and then celebrating at Nanina’s in the Park. I love how Ali’s dad waited for her beside the Rolls Royce that would take them to the chapel. Look at the joy on her proud papas face!

12. Corinne

Corinne got married at The Mill Lakeside Manor in Spring Lake, but spent her morning getting ready at The Breakers. We obviously had to use the beautiful covered white porch for her first look with dad!

13. Danielle

Danielle got married at Stone House at Stirling Ridge and got ready at a nearby hotel, so it was an easy choice to set up the first look in her hotel room. Look at that ear to ear grin on her Dad’s face!

14. Danni

Danni got ready (and married!) at the gorgeous Minerals Hotel at Crystal Springs Resort. She looked like a Disney princess as she met her dad in a private moment for their first look.