What's a "Trash the Dress" shoot?

hanson2B · September 2010

I've seen several photographers who have examples of "trash the dress" shoots, but I can't quite figure out what this is. When I first heard the term, I pictured a bride after her wedding, smushing her dress into an oil drum, pouring on gasoline and lighting it on fire! But when I look at the photos, they just look like more photos of the bride (and sometimes the groom) hanging out and enjoying each other. So why is it called a "TTD"? When does it happen, and why is it done?

twilight.rose · September 2010

They're called "Trash the Dress" shoots because, often, the bride and groom choose to go to the ocean, a field, etc., without regard for the dress staying pristine. The idea is, essentially, to just get more photos of the bride and groom, perhaps in locations they couldn't the day of the wedding either because of time or concern for the dress getting dirty.

Some brides do go all out and actually rip the dress, etc., but most don't do anything that a good cleaner can't repair. TTD shoots are really just an excuse to wear the dress again and get additional photos of you and/or your H after the wedding is over.

fallbride1109 · September 2010

Ditto the PP. Sometimes they are called "Rock the Dress" because the dress isn't actually damaged. I've seen lots of variations.

hanson2B · September 2010

Thanks for the info!

swissarmymelody · September 2010

It all depends on how much you want to "Trash" your dress. We did this photo session, and the messiest thing we did was lay in a field. We went into water as well, but I held up the dress, so it didn't get wet. It's all a matter of choice..GL!

Colowedding2009 · September 2010

The idea behind it is one husband one dress. A friend of mine did TTD and these were the best pics of her and her husband; I think they were way more relaxed and actually had fun. I planning a beach wedding, and will do my TTD photos while laying in the ocean.