'Trash the dress' brides now vow

Published on 01/05/2010 20:22

ONCE it was lovingly stored in layers of tissue or hung in the press as a keepsake or awaiting the day it might be handed to a daughter.

But the era of brides cherishing their wedding dress for life seem to be numbered as wedding photographers report an increasing number of requests for "Trash the Dress" photo-shoots.

The ritual, first made popular in the US, involves brides posing for pictures in their wedding dresses while destroying them. It is supposed to emphasise the bride's commitment to the groom by symbolising the fact she won't need the gown any more, as she won't be getting married again.

Photographer Hannah Morris, 24, who specialises in snapping brides ruining the most expensive dresses they will probably ever buy, said that she had noticed a big rise in requests.

Morris, from Mull, said: "Two years ago nobody asked for this. Now I have at least one Trash the Dress shoot a month. There are several degrees of dress trashing. It varies from getting the dress slightly dirty to completely ruining it. I have photographed at the beach, in the sea, in a swimming pool, with pigs, horses and even dung heaps.

"As far as I know none of the brides have had any regrets. I've only had calls from brides who were happy with the pictures and had a great day. I'm not married myself, but when I do wed, there's going to be an ultimate Trash The Dress shoot, complete with fireworks and all."

The shoots usually take place the day after the wedding, when the women still have the complete outfit together, their hair is the same – and they can still fit in their dress.

Morris said the initiative usually comes from the bride, who quite often has a very specific image of what she wants.

She added: "I once had a shoot with pigs. That was rather unusual, but it was great fun. I was slightly worried about how it would be to work with pigs, but they were much like big, sweet dogs.

"Next week I have a shoot at a fire station. I'm not sure how far they want to go, but I hope the dress can be trashed. I've bought some paint and would love to have a paintball fight. But I'll see. I can always save the paint for later."

Bride Catriona Broadhurst from Bunessan, Mull, trashed her dress in the sea at Uisken beach on the Ross of Mull the day after marrying Gary Broadhurst in Iona Abbey.

She said: "It was a great day. I have these pictures on my walls, rather than my official wedding snaps."

Morris sees many other opportunities for extending the Trash the Dress trend.

"There might be even opportunities for women who are getting a divorce. It's getting very common to have some sort of ceremony after a divorce, and I can see trashing the wedding dress becoming part of that ritual."