First looks and getting ready

No. She saw me in my dress while shopping and during fittings, she saw my hair and makeup after trials, and she saw my hair and makeup after I got them done. There was really no point in a first look with my mom.

Do you have a bridal party? They can help you get ready or a close friend.

I think you should select only a few people to see the complete look otherwise no one will be able to help button you up. You can do your parents together for one and your grandparents for another.

My Mom, sister, niece, and FMIL all went dress shopping with me so I’m not planning on doing a first look with them. They will help me get dressed and then I’m only doing a first look with my bridesmaids and father.

My mom will have been involved in all things dress. I.e. picking it, picking the veil, fittings etc. And I personally would prefer my mom to help me get ready and have pictures of that as opposed to a simple surprised expression picture with her during a first look. But that's just me, I dont think a first look with mom is a bad idea but it just depends on what pictures/memories you want.

I’m not doing a first look with my mom because she saw me pick out the dress so she knows exactly what it looks like and I wanted pictures of her helping me put it on in the bridal suite!

My Mom was the only one who went shopping with me and knew which dress I picked out. I wanted it to be a surprise for everyone else. And I wanted to decide on a dress true to me with limited outside opinions. 😂


So my Mom helped me get dressed. Then stepped out into the bridal suite room with my bridesmaids and MIL. Then I stepped into the bridal suite room to do bridesmaid first look. Then after that the photographer set up first look (same bridal suite room to keep me hidden from husband) with my Dad. Then after that I moved to a different area of the venue for first look with my husband.
Like PP said, I really enjoy the photos of my Mom helping me get ready. I also had a different surprise gift that I gave my parents so had a different “surprise” photo situation. If you’d really rather your Mom (and everyone else) be surprised, your DOC or photographer might be able to help you get those final few buttons buttoned.

My husband and I did not do a first look and I did a Dad first look and it was EVERYTHING!! Although I did not do a first look with my mom, we did get some absolutely beautiful pictures of her helping me button my dress, put on my veil, etc. that are equally as special

If you have a day of coordinator, he/she will be able to help you into your dress, or if your MIL is getting ready in the morning with all the girls, she can as well. I think I definitely preferred having the special moment for myself (selfish? lol) standing in front of the mirror watching it all come together as my mom helped me vs. having anyone else there with me in that moment!