Trash the Dress
Hopefully I won't have to write many blog posts like this one--there are NO pictures! I have none because I haven't photographed a "Trash the Dress" session. In fact, I don't know anyone who has. But we're told "Trash the Dress" is a trend that's catching on BIG -- and since I recently got a question about it, I guess it's time to address the issue.
As far as I can tell, TTD (as some fanatics have begun to refer to it) first came into the spotlight about 4 or 5 years ago when it started being featured on national television shows. The idea is, brides (and sometimes grooms) are photographed doing whatever it takes to wreck the wedding dress. Most times, the procedure seems to involve water. Swimming pools, mainly. But I've seen other examples involving the beach, garden hoses, mud puddles and even one bride who lit her gown on fire!
WHY?
Good question. It seems to me that TTD has come about purely for the purpose of a post-wedding photo session, so I suspect it might be a trend fueled more by persuasive photographers than newlyweds who really want to destroy beautiful wedding gowns. Still, there's a certain sense of daring that comes with doing something so shocking, so avant garde, and there's a certain clientele that finds that appealing.
From a photographer's point of view, I understand how it might be intriguing to see what an expensive gown looks like submerged in a swimming pool, spattered with mud or shredded to bits. After all, we're accustomed to striving to keep the dress pristine and perfectly pressed right up until the ceremony, then rushing it straight to the preservation company immediately afterward. You gotta wonder, what would that dress look like doused by the golf course sprinkler system?
Of course, TTD has its detractors. They consider the complete ruination of a perfectly good dress a supreme act of over-indulgence. If you don't want to keep it as a family heirloom, not to mention as an option for a daughter to wear in her OWN wedding, then why not donate it to charity, the argument goes. Or you could sell it and use the money for something special for your new home or better yet, to start a "rainy day" fund.
Finally, for a bride who really loved the wedding photography experience and is always looking for "something different" to create a buzz, then "Trash the Dress" might offer that once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience you'd enjoy. You might even want to consider a "twist" on the trend, by planning an out-of-the-norm activity in your wedding dress--horseback riding, beach volleyball, fly-fishing, bowling, skydiving--the possibilities are endless. Now THAT would make for some interesting photographs!
Here's one thing I can say for sure about "Trash the Dress": if I ever get the opportunity to photograph a session, I'll tell you all about it--and include the pictures!
NEXT BLOG: Mongrams are traditional for newlyweds, particularly on things like wedding stationary. But I've noticed monograms showing up more and more often at the wedding ceremony and reception. Even aisle runners are sporting them! I'll give you some good ideas and show you recent examples. And for great ideas and beautiful wedding images in the meantime, check out my website dougforner.com .
As far as I can tell, TTD (as some fanatics have begun to refer to it) first came into the spotlight about 4 or 5 years ago when it started being featured on national television shows. The idea is, brides (and sometimes grooms) are photographed doing whatever it takes to wreck the wedding dress. Most times, the procedure seems to involve water. Swimming pools, mainly. But I've seen other examples involving the beach, garden hoses, mud puddles and even one bride who lit her gown on fire!
WHY?
Good question. It seems to me that TTD has come about purely for the purpose of a post-wedding photo session, so I suspect it might be a trend fueled more by persuasive photographers than newlyweds who really want to destroy beautiful wedding gowns. Still, there's a certain sense of daring that comes with doing something so shocking, so avant garde, and there's a certain clientele that finds that appealing.
From a photographer's point of view, I understand how it might be intriguing to see what an expensive gown looks like submerged in a swimming pool, spattered with mud or shredded to bits. After all, we're accustomed to striving to keep the dress pristine and perfectly pressed right up until the ceremony, then rushing it straight to the preservation company immediately afterward. You gotta wonder, what would that dress look like doused by the golf course sprinkler system?
Of course, TTD has its detractors. They consider the complete ruination of a perfectly good dress a supreme act of over-indulgence. If you don't want to keep it as a family heirloom, not to mention as an option for a daughter to wear in her OWN wedding, then why not donate it to charity, the argument goes. Or you could sell it and use the money for something special for your new home or better yet, to start a "rainy day" fund.
Finally, for a bride who really loved the wedding photography experience and is always looking for "something different" to create a buzz, then "Trash the Dress" might offer that once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience you'd enjoy. You might even want to consider a "twist" on the trend, by planning an out-of-the-norm activity in your wedding dress--horseback riding, beach volleyball, fly-fishing, bowling, skydiving--the possibilities are endless. Now THAT would make for some interesting photographs!
Here's one thing I can say for sure about "Trash the Dress": if I ever get the opportunity to photograph a session, I'll tell you all about it--and include the pictures!
NEXT BLOG: Mongrams are traditional for newlyweds, particularly on things like wedding stationary. But I've noticed monograms showing up more and more often at the wedding ceremony and reception. Even aisle runners are sporting them! I'll give you some good ideas and show you recent examples. And for great ideas and beautiful wedding images in the meantime, check out my website dougforner.com
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