So the vows have been exchanged, the cake has been cut and you are now officially a Mrs. While you are still basking in the “after wedding” glow one may wonder, what do I do with my beautiful wedding dress? For many, they choose to preserve their gown, either as a keep-sake, or in the hopes that they will pass it down their future daughter.  However, if you are not looking at preserving or passing down your gown, there is an artistic and fun way to get one last hoorah out of your dress.

A Trash the Dress photo shoot is where the bride completely “trashes” her fairy tale gown to capture a once in a life time photo. These pictures are as unusual as they are memorable. The entire trash the dress phenomenon has made a huge impact since it was introduced in early 2000, and ever since then brides are searching for new ways to top existing trends. Trash the dress allows both bride and groom to present an alternative flare to the dos and don’ts associated with traditional weddings.

One thing to consider when in search of a photographer is their portfolio, and that it should contain a section of trash the dress photos. Not only will you be able to view their photography skills but you will also get some fun, new ideas and poses that you could use in your session.  Be clear with your photographer and what your vision is.  You only get one shot at trashing this beautiful dress, and you want to be sure that you are getting the shots that you envision.

There are so many possibilities when it comes to ways to trash your dress.  Much of it depends on where you live and the time of year.  Brainstorm areas where it would be unlikely that a beautiful white gown would be.  Do you live near train tracks or an old train yard?  How about a funky part of town with old or run-down buildings?  Are you near a lake, streams or the ocean?  Once you have your location picked out, then the fun really begins!  Don’t be afraid of getting on the ground, kneeling in mud, lying on your back and really getting dirty.  Climb trees, rocks or fences.  Snow and rain make for some beautiful shots, so don’t be deterred if the weather calls for rain or snow on the day of your wedding!

If you live near the mountains, how about you drive up the canyons and get some great shots climbing on rocks, wading in streams, rolling in open fields and wandering through trees.  If you live near water, like the ocean, consider a water photo-shoot.  Wear your gown as you splash and swim in the water, roll in the sand, and explore the shoreline.

Just remember, this photo-shoot is meant to be dirty and a bit funky.  At first it will most likely feel a little strange getting your dress dirty.  You were so careful with it before and during your wedding, that actually getting down on a dirty floor with it will seem a bit strange. However, after a few minutes and a few great shots, you will ease into in and it will be fun to “Trash the Dress”!

Guest Author Bio:

A Wedding is a one-time affair and every bride wants to look her best on this special day. The most significant thing that helps a bride to steal the limelight for the day is a beautiful and exotic wedding gown. There is a large variety available in the market when it comes to purchasing a wedding gown. However, this vast variety increases the dilemma of choosing the most perfect gown as all of these gowns are extremely attractive and charming. This is why you need to make use of some tips and suggestions that can help you select the most unique wedding gown that looks the best on you.

There are many designs and cuts available in wedding gowns. They differ in shoulder cuts, sleeve cuts, front designs, skirt size, drapes, embellishments, dress material etc. Such different designs and cuts can be easily found in different shops. However, it is not necessary that you like a wedding gown easily as every bride has built up an image of the type of wedding gown she would like to wear on her special day. In such a case, ‘made to order’ is the best option.

For getting a gown made to order, brides can pick up design ideas from various fashion magazines, fashion shows, or from the internet. For those who already know the kind of cuts and designs they need for their wedding gowns, simply mention them to the designer and select the dress material as per the design, season and your personal preference.

The choice of wedding gown can be based on some factors that enhance the basic look of the gown. Amongst these factors the most important factor is the body type of the bride. It is important that you select a wedding gown that flatters your body type.

Brides having broader hips can minimize the lower body part by creating an illusion on the upper body part. Brides that have broader upper body parts should emphasize more on the lower body part. The purpose  illusions is to balance the proportion for the final look. Use the wedding gown to flaunt the best body parts, like if you have a long neck line then you can have a high neck wedding gown and if you have a thin waist line then you can get a tight fit on the waist line in the gown.

There are also several techniques of getting a wedding gown designed that can help to bring a change in your appearance. For instance if you wish to appear taller then you can get a high neckline, short sleeves, or empire waist. To appear slender you can get high waistlines, A-line, vertical lines, etc. Bridal  shops also provide alterations and changes in the ready-made gowns according to the specifications or as per their own expertise.

So, browse around and select the perfect wedding gown that will turn everyone’s head.

This article has been written by an expert associated with WeddingMuseum.com, a company providing wedding planning ideas for today’s brides and grooms.

Who says you have to spend a lot to get the wedding dress of your dreams.  There are so many options out there nowadays.  With a little research you are sure to find the right wedding dress for the right price.  According to Brides.com, a bride spends an average of $1,075.00 on her wedding dress.  If you want a designer dress, say a  Vera Wang, Monique Lhuillier, or Alexander McQueen then the price range is going to be considerably higher.  In this case you could be looking at anywhere from thousands of dollars to tens of thousands of dollars.

There a few good ways to find that high end, elegant dress at a price you can afford.  How about considering a consignment shop or sample sale?    Most bridal salons will purchase a few wedding gowns of a designers collection to have in the shop for prospective brides to try on.  As the collections change the salon may choose to sell these samples to make way for samples of the newest collection.  This gives brides a chance to own a designer gown without the designer price tag.

Consignment shops work somewhat the same way.  If a bride decides she doesn’t want to keep her gown, she may decide to put it on “consignment”.  This means she takes the gown to the consignment store and they agree to sell it for a percentage of the sale.

Don’t forget, with the Internet world so readily available, your options are unlimited.  Even if you have found a dress you fell in love with, take the time to look around and see if you can find that gown somewhere that may save you some money.

Here are a couple things to remember while searching for that perfect gown.  First, wedding gowns can be taken in a bit.  That doesn’t mean that you can purchase a gown three sizes larger than you would normally wear and expect a seamstress to be able to take it in to fit you.  But you can purchase a gown that is one or possibly two (depending on the style) sizes too large and still be able to alter it.  Just be sure to confirm with a tailor that the dress is made of material that can be altered to fit before you buy it.  Second, when opting to purchase second hand or sample, you will want to get your dress professionally cleaned before you wear them.  Lastly, keep in mind that some salons may offer a limited return policy, make sure you ask what their policy is before you buy.