Do you want to have a first look, but you don’t want to reveal your wedding dress before your wedding ceremony? These alternative first look wedding ideas might be the perfect fit for you! This intimate wedding in North Carolina had such an intentional and inspiring first look. You’re going to want to save this idea as you plan your elopement or intimate wedding!

First Look Wedding Ideas: Add Anything Personal

I love the idea of adding anything personal into your wedding/elopement day. Alli and Patrick chose to have a very small, intimate wedding with their families. I loved the alternate first look that they planned! It allowed Alli to keep the moment she walked down the aisle special and surprising (since he hadn’t seen her full wedding dress yet), while still giving them some beautiful, private moments together before the ceremony. As a result, the photos from their first look are actually my favorite photos from the whole day!

Alli & Patrick’s Unique First Look Details

1. Alli’s Mother’s Vintage Wedding Gown

Alli chose to do a first look wearing her mother’s vintage wedding gown that was handmade by her great grandmother! It was passed down through several generations of women in their family! You can that Alli’s mother helped her get dressed and was absolutely delighted to see her daughter wearing her dress. 

2. Patrick’s Military Uniform

Patrick wore his military uniform for the first look, and he shared some sweet and tender moments with his mom before the first look as well. The result was an emotional, nostalgic first look moment with the two of them. It felt like it was straight out of a romance movie! With the green hills and moody weather, it felt like “Pride and Prejudice” meets war hero coming home to his love. 

3. A Tropical Storm

To add to the drama, there was a tropical storm moving through the area that was bringing heavy winds and rain. We had to sneak out for a break in the weather before the hurricane storm fully hit. I was afraid the severe weather movement might prevent us from getting photos outside at all, but the rain held off long enough to create some actual movie-level magic. The wind was wild! It swirled up leaves that blew all around the couple, and it played with the fabric of Alli’s vintage wedding dress in a way that was truly captivating.

Luna Legacies | Elopement Photographer 

Check out more elopement photography from their first look and intimate wedding below!

Are you inspired by these alternative first look wedding ideas?

I would be so honored to help you come up with more alternative first look wedding ideas, assist you in planning your intentional elopement, and capture all of the moments of your day. To book with me, fill out my inquiry form here! To check out more of my elopement photography and elopement planning tips, head to my Pinterest and blog. I look forward to connecting with you! 

Alli’s Reaction to Their Sneak Peek Wedding Gallery:

“We are all IN LOVE with these photos. We honestly had so much fun taking them, and I’m so glad it was a little gloomy so we could get pictures like this!! I couldn’t have imagined better photos. Thank you so so much for being our photographer: we absolutely love your energy and I love that you make Patrick feel so comfortable in front of the camera.”

Vendors from This Intimate Wedding

Venue: Carolina Country Weddings \\ @carolinacountryweddings

Hair and Makeup: Carly of Belfiore Beauty \\ @_belfiorebeauty