“Val is from Russia and Heidi is from Norway. They incorporated their heritages into their wedding like no other wedding I have seen before! Their traditions run thick in their families. Not only does that show, but their family is so tight-knit.
![Man drying on bride's wedding gown](https://lwm-a2.azureedge.net/uploads/2018/07/man-trying-on-wedding-gown-900x601.jpeg)
The bride and the groom eloped 5 years ago. It was only fitting they renewed their vows and had a formal wedding. With the stress of venue booking, preparing all the details, making timelines, and taking a vow in front of everybody, the groom was a ball of nerves. The bride conspired a trick to help out with that.
![Man squeezing into bride's wedding dress](https://lwm-a2.azureedge.net/uploads/2018/07/man-squeezing-into-wedding-dress-900x1348.jpeg)
She had a friend with an old wedding dress laying around. Heidi thought it would be hilarious to send her brother down in a wedding dress in her place for the first look. ‘Heidi, give me your deodorant, I have to smell like a girl!’ her brother said behind the scenes.
![Man in wedding dress applying deodorant](https://lwm-a2.azureedge.net/uploads/2018/07/man-in-wedding-dress-applying-deodorant--900x601.jpeg)
![Sister zipping brother into wedding dress](https://lwm-a2.azureedge.net/uploads/2018/07/sister-zipping-brother-into-wedding-dress-900x1348.jpeg)
Needless to say, it worked and the grooms reaction was utterly priceless. Just see for yourself!
![Man in wedding dress standing behind groom](https://lwm-a2.azureedge.net/uploads/2018/07/man-in-dress-standing-behind-groom-900x1348.jpeg)
![Groom spotting man in bride's wedding dress](https://lwm-a2.azureedge.net/uploads/2018/07/surprised-groom-staring-at-brides-brother-900x1348.jpeg)
![Groom and best man laughing](https://lwm-a2.azureedge.net/uploads/2018/07/groom-and-best-man-laughing-900x1348.jpeg)
![Groom holding best man in wedding dress while he pops his leg up](https://lwm-a2.azureedge.net/uploads/2018/07/groom-posing-with-man-in-dress-900x1348.jpeg)
![Groom and best man laughing while embracing](https://lwm-a2.azureedge.net/uploads/2018/07/best-man-and-groom-embracing-900x1348.jpeg)
![Groom holding best man's waist](https://lwm-a2.azureedge.net/uploads/2018/07/bride-holding-best-mans-waist-900x1348.jpeg)
Now that the groom was able to calm his nerves and have a nice laugh, it was then time to actually have a first look at his bride.
![Bride standing behind groom in white dress](https://lwm-a2.azureedge.net/uploads/2018/07/bride-standing-behind-groom-900x601.jpeg)
![Bride in white dress touching groom's shoulder](https://lwm-a2.azureedge.net/uploads/2018/07/bride-placing-hand-on-grooms-shoulder-900x601.jpeg)
While he doubted that it was actually her, he was just as amazed to see his bride once she emerged.
Completely and understandably so, he was in complete awe of her. She is flawlessly gorgeous, wouldn’t you agree?”
![Groom looking at bride's wedding dress](https://lwm-a2.azureedge.net/uploads/2018/07/groom-looking-at-brides-dress-900x601.jpeg)
![Bride and groom holding one another](https://lwm-a2.azureedge.net/uploads/2018/07/groom-holding-brides-waist-900x601.jpeg)
This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Nichole Cline of KevinChole Photography. Be sure to subscribe to our free email newsletter for our best stories.
Read more stories like this here:
SHARE this story on social media with friends and family.