I have blogged about this fabulous kind of shoot before, but thought it was worth revisiting as a Rock the Dress, Trash the Dress, Day After Shoot – whatever you want to call it – is one of my faaaavorite things to photograph and more and more couples are requesting to do this kind of shoot! It’s a photo shoot with a couple after their wedding where the bride can rock her wedding gown again and the groom can pretty much rock what he wants. The shoot can be days after the wedding or years after the wedding. This kind of shoot just oozes with creativity and fabulousness! The key to these shoots is that there can be control over more variables then on a wedding day like waiting until it’s a sunny day, choosing the time of day with perfect light, and selecting a variety of locations without worrying about time.
Here are some commonly asked questions…
What do I wear to this sort of shoot?
It’s your chance to where your wedding dress again! Your husband can where a suit, button down and jeans…really whatever you guys want depending on the look of the shoot you are going for. Sometimes a groom will purchase an inexpensive suit for the shoot so that they won’t worry about ruining one of their own! However grooms, if your bride is cool with you rocking jeans for a more casual look, I am down. : ) Once you are all ready we head out for a creative, fun, and (most importantly) relaxed shoot.
Where does this type of shoot take place?
Totally your call. Some couples like the romantic setting of the beach, walking in the water and digging their feet in the sand. Other couples prefer more of an urban setting like walking down 5th Avenue in NYC and standing in front of graffiti covered walls. The options are endless and we can definitely brainstorm some locations!
What makes this shoot fun?
Because the big wedding day has already passed, its not stressful and you don’t have to worry about staying on any schedule and making it to the end of your cocktail hour. You can have fun while recalling the memories of your big day and Aunt Bertha’s crazy dancing, laugh, and enjoying being in that moment with each other. : ) AND you can always bring the one guest that you really wanted to be at the wedding that you probably couldn’t invite – your dog – so you have photos with them!
What exactly does “trashing/rocking” my dress mean?
Now, I must say, there are levels of “trashing” with a Rock the Dress session. Some people think that you are going to DESTROY your dress in a mud fight or rip it to shreds in a wind tunnel. This doesn’t have to be the case, although some couples like to go all out and go swimming in the ocean, running through a field, or lay in the mud. It’s totally up to each couple. : ) But hey, I can’t think of a better way to use your dress which you probably would never take out of your closet again!
Here are some of my favs from Julie and Ryan’s Rock the Dress shoot – Julia had that old Hollywood glamour and Ryan that dapper coolness. And the warm buttery sunset light at the very end of the shoot was divine. Yes, I could of photographed them all day. Yes, I had a hard time narrowing down my favorites. Here is my attempt…
Makeup by the amazing Sarah of Giggar Makeup Artistry!