In water, mud or with paint… More and more young brides are “destroying” their wedding dresses for beautiful souvenir photos.
It is often the quest of a lifetime, or at least long months of preparations. We imagine it, we try it on, we shed a little tear in the fitting room, and we sometimes spend several thousand euros to afford THE perfect wedding dress, whether it is from a big house or created to measure. Traditionally, this sacred garment ended up at the bottom of a wardrobe, wrapped in tissue paper, gathering dust while waiting for a hypothetical daughter or niece to wear it twenty years later. But that was before. A new trend coming straight from the United States is taking on a crazy scale in France: “Trash the dress” (literally “screw your dress”). The concept? Ruining, damaging or deliberately destroying your precious outfit to create a memorable event or take spectacular photos.
In fact, this trend often takes the form of a photo session organized a few days or weeks after the wedding (the famous “Day after”). The objective is to take the complete opposite of the demure and composed couple photos of the big day. The newlyweds meet in unusual places and no longer hesitate to mishandle their lighting outfits. We throw ourselves into the waves of the ocean, we lie down in the mud of a forest, we organize a colored powder fight like a Holi party, or we pose in an abandoned factory. The contrast between the glamor of the white dress and the raw, even dirty, environment gives a very “fashion editorial” result. It’s a liberating and slightly rebellious way to mourn your marriage and say goodbye to your dress with panache.
Sometimes the rampage begins even before the festivities are over! This is the bold choice made by Lisa, who got married last year. In the middle of the evening, while the dance floor was in full swing, the young woman simply grabbed a pair of scissors to savagely cut the long train of her custom-made dress. An improvised entertainment which amazed (and amused) its guests. “You only wear your wedding dress once in your life, I know I’ll never wear it again, so I might as well enjoy the party and be able to dance freely“, she tells us. A liberating act which proves that the dress must adapt to the bride, and not the other way around.
If the idea of throwing your dress into a pool of mud makes you break out in a cold sweat, rest assured, there are gentler alternatives to give it a second life without destroying it. Bridal upcycling is on the rise! If your dress is fluid and made of natural materials (such as silk or crepe), it is entirely possible to have it dyed by a professional. A beautiful navy blue or emerald green will transform it into a sublime evening dress. Likewise, if you had opted for the “mix and match” trend with a skirt and a bustier (or a lace crop top), don’t hesitate to mismatch the ensemble. The top of your wedding outfit will look great re-adapted with high-waisted raw jeans and an oversized blazer for an everyday look that is both chic and wildly romantic.
Finally, if the adventure of “Trash the dress” tempts you, some advice is necessary to make the experience a success. First of all, choose your photographer carefully: immortalizing movement, water or paint requires real technique. Discuss with him your limits and the ideal location (beach, mountain, funfair, etc.). Also pay attention to safety: a wet wedding dress weighs extremely heavy, so avoid swimming in deep water if your outfit is very bulky. And if you really are too attached to your big-day dress to sacrifice it on the altar of photography, here is the ultimate tip for many brides: buy a second-hand dress at a low price on Vinted especially for the occasion. You will have the photos of your dreams, and your real dress will remain intact (at the bottom of your wardrobe!).
