No matter how many wedding photos you have seen, you probably haven’t seen a “first look” like this one.
Erin Goldberg (formerly Reilly), has always had a fun relationship with her now-husband. In fact, she’s always been a prankster and decided that her wedding day wasn’t off-limits when it comes to pranking.
Erin got married to her husband, Ean Goldberg, on Nov. 11 in Scottsdale, Arizona, in an intimate backyard wedding. They planned a first look photo, as nearly all couples do, but Ean was in for a surprise.
Erin had conspired with photographer Molly McElenney to prank him during this “first look.”
Instead of seeing his bride all dolled up in her wedding dress, Ean saw Erin in her favorite oversized cat shirt and old sweatpants. At least her hair and makeup were already done.
Talking to PEOPLE, Erin explained:
“I mess with him all the time and I thought it was a really good opportunity for me to prank him because I don’t dress up very often. […] We had been talking about this dress and how excited he was to see me in the dress. […] I was like, all right, I’m really gonna get him. I’m gonna have him turn around and I’m gonna be in my stupid cat shirt!”
The prank went off without a hitch, and McElenney captured hilarious photos of Ean all dressed up for the wedding and Erin in her cat shirt.
According to Erin:
“It went perfectly. He was a little like, ‘Oh man, she got me.’ His reaction was just priceless. To see him just like laugh…. [He was like], ‘Of course she did this! Why didn’t I expect anything different?’”
After her prank was done, Erin got changed into her actual wedding dress, which was beautiful.
She told PEOPLE:
“Our wedding was absolutely gorgeous. It was just so relaxed, and we just had fun from that second on. So, it was just incredible. It was a gorgeous, beautiful, just fun-filled, laughter-filled wedding after that.”
For Erin, it was a shock that her prank on Ean went viral. They have been together nearly five years and have always loved making each other laugh.
“I was not expecting this type of reaction. I think that I’m funny. Ean sometimes thinks that I’m funny. I certainly did not think that the rest of the country would think I was that funny.”
The prank perfectly captures the relationship of Erin and Ean’s relationship.
“First and foremost, we’re best friends. […] We don’t really get all mushy-gushy or lovey. I felt like this moment really speaks to us, like being friends first. Before anything else. It’s just that we’re able to laugh together, even during these super emotional moments.”
For those wondering exactly how Ean truly felt about the prank, he has also discussed the photos.
Ean told ABC what he thought at the time:
“I was smiling and facing the other way and was antsy, just so excited to turn around and see her. And when I turned around, the first thing I said that went through my mind was, basically, ‘I should’ve expected that.’”
He also said:
“When I turned around it was like, ‘OK, she got me.’ I wasn’t mad at all.”
McElenney, the photographer, also truly enjoyed the shoot. This was the first time a bride asked to do a fake first look, but she told ABC:
“I liked this one though because it was more personal, and so hilarious. It helped ease some of the stress of the day and showcased how hysterical these two lovebirds are. It was unique and such a fun part of the day.”
Unsurprisingly, the images McElenney shared on her Instagram account were a big hit. People commented on how funny it was, how much they loved it, and how gorgeous the bride was even in her ridiculous cat shirt.
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