Our "First Look" In Fiji - Polka Dot Wedding

Planning our Fiji wedding was something I genuinely enjoyed. Yes, there were some stressful moments, and I did have one or two near mental breakdowns, but overall, I loved it. I was very lucky to join a group on Facebook called I Was Married in Fiji that was filled with brides like me who were planning their own destination wedding, brides that had been there done that and were more than happy to share their experiences and tips, as well as vendors who were happy to openly answer questions about their services in the forum. It was fantastic! For anyone who has visited Fiji before, you’ll know all about “Fiji Time” and can imagine that as a bride, playing the waiting game is not conducive to stress-free planning. Social media was my sanity.

One of the vendors on the page was a photographer named Leezett from Finau Photography, who also happened to photograph my friend’s wedding at Wananavu. She wrote a post on her own blog about the increasingly popular phenomenon known as “The First Look”. Basically the idea is that you break tradition, and prior to the ceremony you and your loved one share a private moment together. The photographer(s) will be there to capture the first time you see each other, but otherwise, it’s just you and him. You can express your excitement together and your nerves, you can laugh and cry but otherwise there’s none of the other hype of the day to distract you. It’s a beautiful moment, and the best part is that it really can calm your nerves for (yet doesn’t take away from) the other big moment, when you walk down the aisle.

Ben and I did a a “first look” and wouldn’t have it any other way. It was so sweet, and we both giggled and cried the whole way through. We kept saying to each other, “how silly is it that we feel so nervous about seeing someone I was with just yesterday!” It was the first time that he saw me in my dress, and my shoes, and with my hair and make-up done. It was the first time I’d seen him in his outfit, looking all dapper. And then just like that, the moment was over. We kissed each other goodbye and prepared for the ceremony, which followed shortly after. To us, it was the perfect prelude to an amazing night.