We’ll freely admit that the first time we actually saw what Trash the Dress meant we were kind of horrified. Wedding gowns can cost serious money, and the thought of trashing it - literally! - after the wedding festivities are over is more than a little shocking. At the same time, however, we can think of a few situations - and a few brides - where trashing the dress is less surprising and more acceptable. And as a certified wedding and event planner you’re expected to have all kinds of weapons in your arsenal so when That Bride walks in and expects you to suggest the unexpected, a trash the dress folder may be the little detail she has been looking for!

Christa DiPaulo Becker, a bride that the New York Times intereviewed several years ago when it did a piece on this wedding trend, said that trashing her wedding gown seemed fitting because after everything was  said and done she was feeling pretty “antiwedding.” So for the brides who want to shed a little stress post-nuptials a trash-the-dress session may be just what the doctor ordered.

Trashing an expensive wedding gown may understandably send shivers down your spine. If you have a bride who knows beforehand that she’s interested in a post-wedding trashing session you may be able to persuade her to go green and buy, perhaps, an inexpensive used gown or something vintage that won’t break the bank. She’ll be saving the earth and keeping a little green in her wallet at the same time. (Plus, you may prevent the Mother of the Bride - or Father(!) - from having a heart attack at the thought of a $5,000 gown covered in, uh, mud.)

Michael Cooper, a Las Vegas photographer who is credited with starting the trend, said he was bored of traditional wedding photos. His edgy suggestions ultimately led him to putting brides (and sometimes grooms) in unexpected places: mud, water, by dilapidated buildings. Thus, a trend was born. For the bride and groom who like to think outside the box this may be a trend they latch onto. As a wedding and event planner it may be worth it to scout out a few places around your region where a trash-the-dress session would work. (And find out in advance which photographers are willing and experienced!) And, yes, grooms can get in on the action. Think how cute the photos would be of couples, while still in their wedding attire, climbed trees together, rolled around in the sand by the ocean, or played in the park. No - this has no aura of traditionalism about it - but weddings are about memories, and this is definitely one memory a bridal couple would never forget!

Links to check out:
* trashthedress.com
* a flickr thread dedicated to trash-the-dress photos
* it’s news to us, but this type of photography is also called rock the frock and fearless bridal!
* it’s all for the amazing photos, one recent bride says

Tags: brides, photography, wedding

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