Why Did I Reclaim my wedding dress?

I realized about a week ago that I had forgotten completely how my wedding dress looked and felt. I was having a debate with myself abut whether or not I should break it out of the package when I came across http://www.trashthedress.com/ I was in awe of the bridal images that were able to be captured when brides are not so worried about their dress. It was then I decided that I have to have some of these.

I was married back in 1999, I was 21 at the time and I remember the wedding dress search. About 3 months before my wedding I finally found a couple of dresses I really loved- since I can't make a decision alone ever- especially at 21- I had them take pictures of me in both dresses. I was not digital at the time, so I had the film developed and saw the 2 dresses- my dress was the hands down winner. I fell in love! It was amazing because it fit- right off the rack it fit! I remember that.

I didn't see the dress again until my wedding day! The day of the wedding was wild and I remember only bits and pieces of it. I had a great formal photographer and one friend with some black and white film I gave him. The formals are beautiful, but it wasn't until I became a photographer that I realized what I was missing. One of the big ones was pictures of my dress. Sure there are the full length formals of it, but that is about it. I was so sad that I wasn't going to get that chance back. Little did I realize how simple it was- I just had to make that choice.

And I did- yesterday- I removed my dress from the box it has been living in for 8 years, and this afternoon was able to capture those curves, and the pearls, and the rosettes and how I FEEL when I am in the dress. Amazingly I was able to zip it up and even pose for the back shots I just love capturing for others. It was wonderful and empowering.

I have to preface this by saying, I have boys for children- we may have one more, but odds is he will be a boy too :) I also know that I will never be able to fit my dress back in that amazingly small box, and that is something that I am okay with, but it is definitely something to consider- unless you have a shrink ray :) For me it was more important to spend another afternoon in my wedding dress, and to capture those details once and for all. I also am bringing my gown to a photography convention next week and there may be more images to come.

I will post some images tomorrow since tonight blogger doesn't seem to be letting me. I posted my favorites over at my other blog: http://www.afleetingmoment.blogspot.com/.

Thank you and go reclaim something :) Lissa