My Trash the Dress

Cross-posted from Flaming Tulle

Recently I participated in Trash the Dress, a growing project that many photographers are taking part in. Now worldwide Trash the Dress is typically done the week after a wedding has taken place. The bride gets back into ‘the’ dress and well, trashes it. Photos are done in water, under water, in the dirt or just plain out in the open without a care as to what happens to the dress. There’s even been a dumpster dive. When a photographer friend of mine asked me to take part in this fun project I was eager to help out.

Not wanting to use my own dress, and quite frankly I don’t think it still fits, I opted instead to lay waste to some of the bridesmaids dresses that appear to be breeding in the back of my closet. Out came the sage colored two-piece, the red empire waited gown and a black gauzy number. I really wanted these dresses to go out with a bang. That red one could have been set on fire and I wouldn’t have minded. We set out on a chilly fall day for the local marina and immediately got down to business.

I climbed trees, laid on fallen logs and felt a bit like Narcissus as I glanced at my reflection in the still waters. I dropped into some foliage and rolled around a bit and even lay on a dock with some scary geese fast approaching. It was fun. OK, it was more than fun. When else can I traipse around in formal wear, full makeup, and up do and my Chuck Taylors? Seeing as I’m not a fashion model, I would venture to say, never. It was cold but it was all in the name of art right? One thing though. That green ensemble was pretty much dirt repellent. It is back in the closet waiting for take two of Trash the Dress and warmer weather. Not a speck of dirt stuck to it. Unbelievable.

What I learned from this whole this, beyond the creativity and fun of it, is that it is a perfect opportunity to de-stress. Really what could be better after all that wedding hullabaloo than getting back into that dress and really getting out some florist aimed aggression? Maybe you just simply want to wear the dress one last time and this is a great chance to do so. That is a good enough reason for me. You can go to the Trash the Dress forum and find a local photographer near you and see how much you can trash that dress.

To see the some of the photos from my session with Sarah from Sarah Lynn Photography click here.



A great little bit about what Trash the Dress is all about.

Trash the Dress Baby! Just trash it!

Tomorrow I will be participating in Trash the Dress. I cannot tell you how excited I am.

What is it?

Quite simply it is a photographer project where they take photos of women destroying their wedding dresses or other fancy attire. See I seem to have an extensive collection of bridesmaid dresses and military ball gowns that quite frankly need to be done away with. I could just donate them like I have in the past to such charities as The Glass Slipper Foundation or to Ugly Dress. Except none of these dresses are ugly. Not even the kiwi colored one if you can believe it. So when I was asked by a local photographer to take some time to get down and dirty, traipse through the various terrains of local graveyards, dried out riverbeds and lay down in some leafy trails I jumped at it.

Yes, it will be cold. Possibly freezing and rainy. I will be wearing my chucks to ensure comfort and I might even rub some dirty leaves on myself and get T.D. in the mix. Too bad she doesn't have some cute flower girl dress to destroy. Because these dresses will be destroyed. Sorry Jen, Dawn and Macy's. Sorry. It's time. The dresses must go. There is no more room in the closet or my heart for them. The dresses must be trashed and what better way than by smearing them with mud, ripping them on some rocks and just plain ripping them.

Toodles poufy kiwi skirt with a butt bustles and trailing ends. So long beaded halter with the gauzy black finish. Adios empire waisted red satin gown complete with rhinestones. I actually did hate you if I must confess. You were the ugliest of the lot that is left. Too bad I no longer posses the flesh colored gown I paid $300 to wear a few years back I would have gone into a swamp to kick that ones ass. All that money. All those alterations. All in the name of friendship and joyous good times. But it's in reality just a dress and the memories are in my minds eye and countless photographs. Possessed by many people. Augh. That flesh colored dress....

Can you tell I'm excited to brave the wet fall elements and just do this thing? What could be more fitting? I can think of nothing besides lighting them on fire or yes, donating them. I'll post pictures as soon as possible so you can see how much I am willing to subject myself to in the name of art.