http://www.makingmemories.org

MakingMemories.org

The gowns that are donated are cleaned and then sold at "Brides Against Breast Cancer" Charity Wedding Gown Sales across the country. The money raised goes to women who have been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.

>the idea had actually been around for years at destination weddings, where photographers would take their clients out to the beach for "newlywed sessions," also called "day-afters."<

For crying out loud. Given how long most marriages last, I guess these folks have to have some permanence from them. And if these brides need a fast way to trash their gowns, why not let much-tried bridesmaids, grooms, or singles-who-shell-out-money-they'll-never-get-back do the honors? Hell, I bet that part of the ceremonies would be more popular than the wedding itself. ;)

It was hideous. I don't wear pink. But my mother picked it out, and my husband-to-be loved it (the look on his face when I tried it on was priceless), and I wore it happily. It was from a catalog, and I think it cost about $100, if that. I don't understand fussing over a dress for weeks, or spending a fortune. My husband married me, not a dress.

That said, I don't understand the psychology behind trashing the dress. If the bride is that hostile about the wedding, why not just skip it entirely and have a smaller event? Society doesn't really demand big wedding anymore. A lot of people have more informal weddings. I've been to weddings at wineries and in back yards, and the people in the back yard wedding seemed a lot happier than the ones dressed to the nines at the wineries. Tip to brides to be: If you think you're going to be angry enough to trash your wedding dress, you might want to re-think your wedding plans. Weddings are supposed to be celebrations, not trials.

... because everybody else is doing it. Prompted by fake "reporting" such as this article.

Give me a break. How much stupider are we going to get? Surely by now we've learned that the article supposedly reporting on the latest trend is out there simply to promote that trend?

Who are these brides lashing out at? Any stress from the event is stress they have created. The trash the dress sessions are just more conspicuous consumption, a weak bid to look 'easy going' and 'laid back' after the 24x7 Vanity Freakfest of the wedding. It's hard to even smile at such faux wacky hi-jinks.

I spent $180 on my wedding dress and then gave it to Goodwill. It sure wasn't the nicest dress in the store, but guess what - it was the only long white gown in the room where I got married and held my reception, so it looked great.

This letters thread is just going to turn into another slew of holier-than-thou posters sniffing at how outrageous brides/weddings are these days. A bunch of people will write "well I got married in my backyard holding daisies that were growing wild and I didn't even buy a wedding dress, I just wore an old pillowcase because I'm so far above such frippery". Leave these women alone. For many people, searching for, choosing, and ulitmately wearing a wedding gown IS an extremely emotional experience - both good and bad. And part of that is exactly what the author talks about - for once (perhaps the only time) in thier lives, when you put on your wedding dress you do have a "mantle of beauty" that no one can take away from you. In our culture, when many women spend so much time hating/obsessing over thier looks and bodies, that's a powerful thing. I don't begrudge anyone these additional photos - after all, the money has been spent on the dress already. Why so judgy? Reverse snobbery is worse than regular old snobbery.

Does anyone think that this article was worth:

a) writing

b) publishing

c) commenting on

?????

who.cares.

how self-absorbed and narcissistic do you have to be to do this stuff?

I guess I'm the only one who thought that many of those pictures (excepting maybe the creepy ones with guns) were quite beautiful. Doesn't look like rage to me so much as wanting to look like the wedding gown advertisements in the bridal magazines (ads which are increasingly "alternative," not like posed shots).

Donating dresses is, of course, a great idea, but most of these dresses are in great condition after the shoots. That's what dry cleaners are for.

And amen to anonymous above. We criticize brides for being uptight, then criticize them for letting loose? Give me (and them) a break.

it's hugely overstated, sexist, and completely over. this goes for you too slate and WE network. wow, obnoxious people exist! and they get married! let's only talk about the women though.

>...for once (perhaps the only time) in thier lives, when you put on your wedding dress you do have a "mantle of beauty" that no one can take away from you<

1) Any woman who feels her beauty can be taken away (or centers on being a bride)is insecure and has problems a wedding dress (or a marriage) won't solve.

2) What does it say about a woman that the only moment she feels worthwhile and happy is when she's a bride? That's frickin' sad when a woman's entire life/potential for happiness shrinks down to having that moment.

3) Honestly, what is _with_ the women who think this is the only most important moment in a woman's life? I can think back to a batch of moments in mine that were terrific, and they didn't involve weddings. It's not that being a bride is the most wonderfullest thing in the world; it's that it has been hyped to be and people buy it.

I thought one was supposed to trash the dress when the divorce is final? (Or at least that's been my plan.)

I'm the one who shot the photo on the head of the article, and I had to voice my opinion and that of the entire Trash the Dress crew.

The idea of TTD is one not of insult or ridicule, but one of love and fondness of life. I believe it gives brides a chance to express their love and admoration for their spouse in a unique way which allows them to keep images, memories that will speak far louder than a boxed up dress.

I for one loved the idea from the onset and will continue to offer this idea to all my brides.

Peace,

Steve