First look brides: How are you keeping your dress clean before you walk down the aisle?

The inside hem of your dress WILL get a little dirty. But no one is likely to notice.

I had a photography assistant that helped me carry my dress (lifting hem and train above ground) to the location for our first look. After that, DH was on dress carrying duty.

Shoes. Now shoes were a different story. I wore colored shoes and am SO glad that I did. The paths in the garden were largely gravel or packed dirt. Ivory or white shoes would have definitely been tan (dirt color) within 5 minutes.

I had a loop specifically sewn into my train to allow me to hold it up by the loop when I was moving from location to location. It really helped as well as the photography assistant helped a bit, but I wanted two shooters, not a train holder ;o)

Ah. Yes. In my case, the photography assistant was not the second shooter. Her whole purpose in life was "fetch and carry" ... to tote gear for the photographer and gather/escort people to where they were needed for photos.

Hike that sucker up until the last possible moment. it would even be funny for your photographer to get a picture like that, if you are into funny photos that is

My venue helps. This is the 3rd floor which they only really allow for the bridal party, baby sitting etc. I was thinking IF we do a first look, we'd do it here with some cool indoor pics and then the other bridal pics outdoors after the ceremony.

I did 2 hours worth of bridal portraits outside during the spring and didn't have any issues with my dress getting dirty. Just be sure to have someone help you pick it up if you have to walk through mulch or leaves for any reason.