Forget wrapping it in tissue paper and storing it carefully in the attic. Get down with one of the hottest photographic trends of recent years and trash your dress…or at least get it a little damp..


Harrera Images

Destroying something beautiful can be heart wrenching and liberating. Whether you smash a favourite vase, shrink a coveted piece of clothing or write-off a beloved car, the accidental damage can weigh on more than just your purse strings. But what if you did it intentionally? What if you took something that you loved and deliberately ruined it?

This is the concept of Trash the Dress. For a decade now, brides have been wantonly destroying their frocks in a series of individual – and often shocking ways. Google the term and an array of images – including a gown on fire with the bride still in it – will afford you a taste of what the trend is about. In short, it comprises the opportunity to wear your dress again after the wedding and photograph anything from a little muddying through to total obliteration. Very few brides actually inflict any lasting damage to their dress – for most, the appeal lies in capturing some relaxed shots in unusual surrounds, be it a farmyard, a skate park or a beach.


Kensa Photography

Originally masterminded by Las Vegas photographer John Michael Cooper, he has been taking what he deems 'antibridal' pictures since 2000. Gradually gaining notoriety with websites such as www.trashthedress.com, it is fast becoming one of the hottest – not to mention widely debated – wedding trends in recent years.

There's something wild about taking something pure and precious and consciously damaging it. An element of 'what would granny say?' adds a risqué edge and is a definite part of its appeal. Psychologically, the opportunity to roam freely through a gritty urban setting or frolic in the sea in a wedding dress is a welcome release after the laborious pressure and expense of multiple rounds of searching and fitting ventures for the 'perfect' dress. As many will testify, perfection is tiresome, and this freedom following such restrictions is the remedy. The dress is no longer something to obsess about, nor will it become a redundant piece of fashion stored in the attic to gather dust as soon as the nuptials are over.


Kensa Photography

For some, trashing the dress is a means of prolonging the marital thrill and sense of escapism whilst for others it's a way of saying farewell to what has arguably been the result of a lifetime of dreams and desires from girlhood. Destroying the dress can mark the end of the fantasy and beginning of the reality of married life – the final act of abandon and play before embracing the practicality of matrimony.

Beyond that, it's simply another mode to capture and cherish your gown and to artistically express your relationship to it and each other. The idea is to enlist images from fashion and cinema and mix them with wedding photography for a unique experience and collection of pictures. Without the convention or time restrictions associated with the wedding day itself, there's no need to worry about including every living relative in the shot as it's all about the bride and/or groom. In removing many of the generic poses, locations and people from the shoot, it becomes more individual and personal.


Kensa Photography

Some traditionalists argue that it is disrespectful to your vows whilst the contravening case assures that it is instead the ultimate symbol of commitment – by destroying your dress you are expressing an intention to never need wear it again and hence, ever get remarried. Therefore, in defying etiquette you are reinforcing the tenants of marriage in an idiosyncratic, modern and stylish way.

So whether you'd prefer to spray paint, shred or simply splash your dress in the shallows, there’s a world of trash that awaits you…

KENSA PHOTOGRAPHY


Kensa Photography

Offering a range of shoots in all manner of distinctive locations, Adrian Downing of Kensa Photography works alongside the bride and groom to deliver a set of images that will complement their character and showcase their relationship. For a two-hour local shoot prices start at £250. Hair and make-up can be arranged at an added cost to ensure that the look and feel of the shoot meets the couples' exact ideas.

Encouraging clients to unleash a real spirit of adventure, Adrian aims to timelessly capture the essence of youth and love against a striking backdrop. Primarily, however, it is about a fun, relaxing experience that will provide the couple with fabulously creative and highly personal images to treasure long into the future.
01363 84125 www.kensaphotography.co.uk

ANDREW HAWKER


Andrew Hawker

With a portfolio that covers weddings, fashion, reportage, landscape and portrait, Andrew's extensive experience and artistic eye will guarantee that trashing your dress will be a stunning event. With fifteen years in the industry, Andrew's intimate yet unobtrusive style provides excellence consistently. His approachability married with creative output ensures every bride or couple will be presented with personal pictures to admire for a lifetime.
01637 877228 www.andrewhawker.co.uk

HARRERA IMAGES


Harrera Images

Andy Green of Harrera Images has been working on regional, national and international press publications since he was 16, fostering a unique style whilst honing his natural skills as a photographer. Fusing fashion with art and a gritty dynamic, the fresh perspective he brings to each project is in evidence with every piece of work, and his post wedding shoots are no exception.

Further dispelling any misconceptions of the term ‘trash’, Andy emphasises that the shoot is about capturing an inspiring collection of images of the bride or couple in an evocative and unusual setting. Whether it's amidst woodland or in the middle of a lake, you are assured an enjoyable experience and utterly beautiful results.
01884 235945 www.harreraimages.co.uk


Words Hannah May
Copyright WED Magazine 2010