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29 stunning 'first look' photos that prove it's the sweetest wedding tradition

Samantha Grindell

2020-01-18T14:05:00Z

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First looks offer some of the sweetest pictures from weddings. Keegan Cronin

"First look" photos are a sweet, modern tradition where couples document the first time they see each other on their wedding day.
They're candid in a way other wedding photos aren't, capturing the real feelings of the day.
"First look" photos have evolved over the years, with brides and grooms adding their parents, bridal parties, and siblings into the mix.
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CBS correspondent Errol Barnett looks serene as he waits for his bride.

BarnettWedding_VictoriaHeerPhotography_RoundHillResortJamaica — The bride stands out despite the white backdrop. Victoria Heer Photography

Victoria Heer captured the moment just before Barnett saw his bride for the first time, focusing the camera on him.

Some of the photographers captured grooms who were overwhelmed after seeing their partners.

Ben Adams r49 — The bride's face isn't visible in the shot. Ben Adams

This groom, photographed by Ben Adams, cries as he hugs his partner. The black-and-white filter makes the moment more intense.

This groom had two people to greet on his wedding day.

Emily Layne of Ivan and Louise Photography took this photo of a groom kissing his fiancé's pregnant belly during their first look.

Some photographers used creative perspectives to capture the first time a couple sees each other on their wedding day.

adrian fluture r48 — The groom grins at his bride in the mirror. Adrian Fluture

This couple cleverly upheld the superstition of not seeing your partner before the wedding by looking at one another in a mirror. Adrian Fluture took the sweet photo.

This picture documented the exact moment a couple saw each other in their wedding attire.

B88A4038 — The groom is emotional after seeing his bride. Madison Hope Photography

Captured by Madison Hope Photography, the groom covers his mouth in emotion as he looks at his future wife.

Other photographers demonstrated that first looks aren't always with a significant other.

tommy gatz 1 — Neither could hide their emotion. Tommy Gatz Entertainment

Tommy Gatz took this photo of a groom and his mother crying after seeing each other on his wedding day.

Some grooms were elated when they saw their partners.

Keegan Cronin snapped a photo of this groom smiling widely at his soon-to-be wife.

Others were emotional during the first look.

Bruno Sauma r411 — A ring bearer looked up at him expectantly in the shot. Bruno Sauma

A groom covers his mouth and cries as his partner walks down the aisle in this photo, taken by Bruno Sauma.

Sometimes couples prefer to keep their first looks private.

Ricky Baillie r49 — Two flower girls watched the moment. Ricky Baille Photography

Ricky Baille captured a bride and groom greeting each other on their wedding day from a window, allowing the couple to soak up the moment alone.

Black-and-white filters made some of the first look photos more dramatic.

BenKoller11 (1) — Their silhouettes lean toward each other. Ben Koller

This couple, photographed by Ben Koller, helped adjust each other's suits on their big day.

Other photographers used creative angles to capture the first look.

Daniel Dumbrava r441 — You can see someone walking toward them in their eye. Daniel Dumbrava

Instead of showing this person's full face, Daniel Dumbrava zoomed in on his pupil, showcasing the emotion of the moment.

Brides get emotional during first looks too.

Peter van der lingen 104 r43 — The painting next to them makes the picture more dramatic. Peter van der Lingen

A groom wipes away a bride's tears in this picture, captured by Peter van der Lingen.

Some couples can't help but giggle during their first looks.

Captured by Hannah Lauver, this bride laughed as her groom reacted dramatically to her wedding-day look.

Other couples get silly as they wait to see each other.

Henk van Lambalgen 111 r44 — The shot focuses on the groom. Henk van Lambalgen

Henk van Lambalgen snapped this photo of a groom who seemed to be on the edge of his seat as he waited to see his bride.

Even though the photographer is there, it often seems like a couple is in their own world during a first look.

They don't seem to notice the photographer nearby. Elizabeth Hasier

These brides embraced as they took in each other's wedding ensembles.

First looks between siblings can be just as meaningful as they are between a couple.

kelsey wotroba first look — Both the bride and her brother were gleeful when they saw each other. Kelsey Gene Photography

Ashley Sedar and her brother Nick's sweet first look, captured by Kelsey Gene Photography, went viral in December 2019.

Some photographers captured the emotion a bride feels before she shows off her dress.

Philippe Swiggers 2 r44 — The couple's families look on nearby. Philippe Swiggers

Philippe Swiggers focused the camera on the bride approaching her groom in his black-and-white photo.

Others documented brides' emotions upon seeing their partners.

This bride, photographed by Daniel Johung, looks down and grins as her partner takes in her wedding look.

Some couples use first looks to bring some fun to their wedding days.

ron saliman — The bride grins as she waits for the surprise. Ron Soliman Photojournalism

Ron Soliman snapped this shot of a bride crouching behind a dinosaur mascot to prank her future husband.

First looks between fathers and daughters are some of the sweetest iterations of the tradition.

A father looks thrilled and taken aback when looking at his daughter in her wedding dress in this photo by Maggie Nunn.

Couples often go to great lengths to respect superstitions during first looks.

Stephan Keereweer r44 — You can see her grin through the window. Stephan Keereweer

This bride, photographed by Stephan Keereweer, took a sneak peek at her groom without showing him her dress thanks to a window.

Some people like to surprise their bridal parties on their big days.

AH4A3282 — The bride is turned toward her party in the shot. Macy Frances

The bridesmaids and junior bridesmaids show a range of emotion in this photo, taken by Macy Frances. Some are happy, some are emotional, and the youngest on the right looks shocked at the bride's beauty.

First looks can be even better when the couple wears non-traditional wedding ensembles.

A couple takes in each other's colorful wedding ensembles in this photo, which was taken by Michelle Sobel.

Couples get emotional just catching a glimpse of each other on their wedding days.

pasquale minniti 481 — The bride waves to her groom. Pasquale Minniti

Pasquale Minniti snapped this striking photo while in the car with the bride, capturing the moment the groom first spots her face. His emotion is already showing as he covers his mouth.

Joy is a common theme in first look photos.

RandiMichellePhotography_Garland_MichkaGettingReady 49 — This bride seems as though she's raising her hands to hug her dad. Randi Michelle Photography

In this photo taken by Randi Michelle, a father can't stop smiling at his daughter on her wedding day.

Photographers don't even have to show the bride's face to capture the excitement of a first look.

sabina mladin 134 r46 — The groom waiting with flowers makes the photo even sweeter. Sabina Mladin

Although we can only see the bride's lower half and the groom's blurry face in this photo by Sabina Mladin, the anticipation of the moment shines through.

Some photographers lean into the drama of the first look in their photos.

Siva Haran 383 r51 — The groom waits for her at the end of the hallway. Siva Haran

Siva Hiran snapped this picture of a bride walking toward her groom. The dark lighting calls attention to her dress.

The photos show that brides get emotional during first looks, too.

A bride smiles through tears during her first look in this photo, taken by Sarah Wiggins. The groom looks at her.

But most of all, first look photos give couples a tangible memory from one of the biggest days of their lives.

Both the bride and groom wipe tears away from their eyes as they look at each other in Sara Fitzpatrick's photo.

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