Reuse your Wedding Dress in Creative Bridal Photos
According to a survey conducted by The Knot, brides across the U.S. spent an average of $1,500 on their wedding dresses in 2017. It’s no small chunk of change for most of us, and considering that the average price tag for weddings is over $33k, it’s wise for couples to try to get the most value for their money.
When it came to my own wedding, I couldn’t decide on a style for my dress. I know I’m not alone in my hope that it would be the thing my guests remembered and gushed about for years to come. It’s serious business; there are entire reality shows dedicated to finding the right dress!
So what did I do? I bought two dresses at discounted prices. Some people thought it was impulsive, and looking back there was only one dress that really stood out in photos. Thankfully I ended up recovering half my money after the wedding when I traded both dresses in to a secondhand bridal shop, but it serves as a reminder of how much pressure brides are under to get it right on this one day of our lives.
But there are other ways to eek more memories out of your dress than at your wedding. Bridal photography shoots, done before or after your big day, offer an opportunity to capture glamorous photos of you in your dress at any location, without the additional stresses of packed timelines and guests competing for your attention. They even give you a chance to switch up your style—to wear your hair or accessorize differently than you did on your wedding day.
If you’re daring and see no reason to hang onto your dress long after your wedding, you might even consider a “trash the dress” shoot where you trudge through the mud or splash paint on your gown. It’s not for the deeply nostalgic or faint of heart, but it sure makes for some incredible, creative photos.
Here are some reasons you might consider doing another photo shoot in your wedding wardrobe, after the main event:
If you want to squeeze another use out of your wedding dress and still lust over those glamour bridal shots you see in magazines
If you’ve got no need for your dress and you’re a free spirit who loves the creative edge of “trash the dress” shoots you’ve seen on Pinterest
If it’s a major anniversary, you and your partner still fit into your wedding attire, and you want to celebrate your love in a unique and nostalgic way
If your wedding day was too jam-packed to visit all the locations you wish you could have been photographed at
If you’re curious to try out a different look with your dress—maybe wear your hair down this time and switch out your heels for a pair of cowboy boots
There’s no rule that says you can only wear your wedding dress once, and as a photographer, I absolutely love shooting photos of my clients in their beautiful dresses! If you have a creative idea for reusing your wedding dress in a photo shoot, reach out to me—I would love to work with you on it.