You’ve seen all the wedding inspiration websites and looked through a ton of beautiful wedding photos, and you’re set on the idea of having a first look. And yay for you for making that choice! We know you won’t regret it. These first look ideas are a meaningful way of having some time with your beloved before you stand up in front of everyone and exchange those vows. It’s a beautiful, intimate moment that we love to capture in photographs. Because you don’t get many opportunities on your wedding day to savor the moment and appreciate what the day is about.

But how will you go about doing your first look? You could, of course, do a straight-up walk up to one another and see each other for the first time. But there are a bunch of unique and fun ways you can enjoy this moment too. So here are our top creative first look ideas ideas for planning a moment we think you’ll love.

#1: The Cheeky Move

We love a bit of humor and bare-faced cheek when it comes to your wedding day. And what better way of having a bit of fun with your first look is there than to go in for a butt squeeze as you walk up to your other half? Surprise them by sneaking up and going in for the squeeze. They won’t expect it, and their reactions will be hilarious, we’re sure!

#2: Super Hugger

Don’t you just love a good, heartfelt hug? It makes everything right with the world, doesn’t it? This is a move we sometimes get you to do on engagement shoots, but there’s nothing that says you can’t do this as part of your first look too! So if you’re a couple who loves a good hug and squeeze, then this is an excellent move for you.

Have whoever is walking into the first look come up behind the other person and wrap your arms around them, giving them the biggest hug you can manage. There’s something quite emotional and magical about your partner feeling your touch but not being able to see you. The anticipation will make the photos so wonderful and intimate.

We dare you not to get a bit teary if you go with this option!

#3: Tickle Your Fancy

Is your partner super ticklish? Would it make some super great reactions if you snuck up and started tickling them? Then we say let’s do it!

Tickles can be funny and pretty intimate, depending on where they’re most ticklish and sensitive to touch. You could go in for crazy tickles that have them laughing or squealing out loud. Or you could go for something more gentle, running your fingers up their neck and behind their ear to put a big smile on their face.

Whatever your preference, we know this approach would create some stunning first look photographs for the two of you.

#4: The Excuse Me Tap

If you’re not into doing anything fancy, then it’s ok to stick to something a little more traditional. Walk up to them with confidence and, when you’re ready for them to turn around, tap them on the shoulder. We bet they can’t wait to turn and face you and see you for the first time!

You can add a little humor into this one if that’s the kind of couple you are. Give them a tap on one shoulder and move to the other side for a little surprise. That’ll be sure to encourage some laughter, and laughing is good for the soul, right?

#5: Pulling A Prank

Your first look doesn’t have to be a grand, romantic moment. If you’re not that kind of couple, then have a little fun with it, we say! Out of all first look ideas, this one is a little out there but works for some couples.

Show up to the first look half-dressed or wearing something entirely unsuitable for a wedding. We’ve seen couples where one shows up in a funny costume, their pajamas or something wildly inappropriate for a wedding day. The shock factor always brings out a lot of laughs.

You could even send someone else out in your place. Have you seen those memes where the bride has sent out the best man in his very own wedding dress? Well, you could definitely do your own take on that if you wanted to. If you’re the kind of couple who is always pranking each other, this would be the perfect time to continue that little tradition.

It’s worth making sure you’ve made plenty of time to allow for this, though. Especially if you’ll then need to get back and get into your proper outfit before the ceremony, so do bear that in mind!

#6: Share The Moment

Most couples prefer to keep things intimate when it comes to their first look, including only them and their photographer/s in the process. But you may want to share the moment with some other special people in your life.

Perhaps you’re already a family with young kids, and it’s important for you to include them at this point of the day. In which case, we are all for that! We know couples who have involved a sibling, their parents, or even just their Dads in their first look. Or it might be that you want to bring your pet along!

Whatever your preference is, know that there aren’t any hard and fast rules for planning your first look ideas. If there are certain people you want there with you, then that’s totally ok!

#7: Use Props For Drama

We don’t know about you, but we love those moments in those makeover shows where they do the “big reveal”. They’ll use some kind of screen or a prop that hides the ‘after’ look before moving it out of the way to reveal the beautiful person or thing that stands behind it. Kinda like Extreme Makeover: Home Edition when they all yell, ‘Bus driver, move that bus!’

Now, we’re not suggesting you bring in a bus to do your big reveal for your first look. But you could use other things. You could walk up to them behind a big bunch of balloons, for example. Or step out from some kind of screen at the right moment.

Alternatively, you could always put a blindfold on your other half and have them remove it when you say. You can have some fun with this kind of “reveal” first look idea, and the photos will capture all those genuine expressions.

#8: Back To Back

Traditionally, with a first look, one half of the couple will be standing in a location with their back to the arriving second person. They’ll then turn around, and so that first look happens with all those super cute emotional reactions we love to capture in photos.

Why not make it a total surprise for the two of you and have you both turning around at a set moment? This first look idea requires some help organizing. So, have your wedding party help you get where you need to be, with your backs to each other, before you both turn around. That may mean you’ve got a little more of an audience with this one. Or you could ask us, your photographers, to get you lined up and then we’d give you the countdown if you wanted to keep it private.

#9: Descending A Staircase

There’s something so grand about one of the first look ideas as you walking down a sweeping staircase while the other waits to see you at the bottom. If you’re getting wed in a venue with a killer staircase, we’d definitely suggest this as an option for your first look!

Think fairytale romances, or Disney movies a la Beauty and the Beast, if that’s your thing! If one of you is wearing a long dress or has a flowing veil, we can imagine how phenomenal this would look for your photographs.

#10: More Than A Look

However you choose to do it, your first look doesn’t have to just be about you seeing each other for the first time on your wedding day. You can also use this time to do something personal and meaningful for the two of you.

Why not exchange some private vows together? This is a lovely way to share what you mean to each other, and it can be just for the two of you. No one needs to know what those vows are.

You could also read each other a letter, share a song, have a private dance or pop a bottle of champagne. Ultimately, this is your personal time. It’s a time to appreciate why you’re about to take that next exciting step on your journey together and enjoy the calm before all the excitement later that day. Anything goes here. It is your wedding day, after all!

So, if you’re ready to talk first look ideas for your New York wedding with us, as well as all the rest of your wedding plans, get in touch! We’d love to sit down and hear all about you and your day.