Trash the dress – a new phenomenon

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Taylor Made Photography Trash the Dress

There’s a new trend sweeping the wedding world. It sounds a bit risky, but it’s not really about destroying your stunning gown – it’s about capturing some truly unique and beautiful wedding photos. It’s called Trash The Dress (TTD).
After their brief moment in the sun, most wedding dresses live a life of slow decay in the cupboard – but it doesn’t have to be this way! Modern Wedding hunted down the few courageous photographers and brides pioneering a concept that will change the way we look at our wedding gowns.

Bridal gown story

Your bridal gown starts out being the star of the show, for all to admire and then meets with a tragic end, being pushed aside and forgotten during your honeymoon. It is put in a box and put at the top of the cupboard, there it stays. Then one day it happens: the dress becomes a relic – a waning memento of times passed and joys remembered.
The end. Or is it? Is this really the fate you want for your wedding gown – the most beautiful garment you have ever worn? It’s treated you well – it’s made you the centre of attention on one of the greatest days of your life – and will you reward it with this woeful doom?

The dress lives on

Enter a group of camera-wielding comrades and courageous brides. Together, they will usher in the era of Trash The Dress.
Now before you run screaming from the room, we are talking about after your wedding. Think on this: ‘trashing’ the dress is not about destroying the gown. It’s about giving brides the opportunity to experience an envelope-pushing outdoor shoot. It’s about creating images that really do justice to your stunning frock – and having lots and lots of fun.
Ever wondered what it would be like to be the girl in the music video, running through crashing surf in a fabulous frock? How about riding a horse bareback through fields of green with your gown billowing and your wind-whipped veil streaming behind you? The essence of the TTD concept is the creation of stunning imagery. The ‘trashing’ of the dress can range from a dirty hem to setting it on fire – at the bride’s discretion, of course!

Response from brides

With the number of award-winning photographers getting involved, it’s clear to see that the artists are keen – but what about the brides? The response has been mixed – ranging from outrage at the potential destruction of wedding gowns to unbridled enthusiasm for the photos. One thing seems clear though – once they’re there, those courageous brides willing to Trash The Dress are loving the experience.

The results

The images that result from a TTD shoot are a far cry from standard wedding portraiture. visit trashthedressaustralia.wordpress.com for some inspiration, and chat with your photographer about potential locations. Beaches and mountain streams are a popular choice, but don’t overlook the fantastic contrast you could find in a grungy back alley or on a building site (with permission, please!). Fountains, pools, high-rise buildings, cliff-tops and headlands all provide endless opportunities to get trashy. Urban shoots can be a little easier on the gown because you’re less likely to get snagged on a tree branch or wade in a creek – in most cases, at least!