Lisa and Alex took part in a traditional Belize ceremony and were helped out by Luciana and Reyes, who helped to plan everything.  They are part of the Toledo Ecotourism Association who are a voluntary organisation trying to help locals gain from ecotourism. The Photographer was the amazing Maya Popavic from Conch Creative and Lisa got to wear Tabitha her Charlotte Balbier gown once again for the Trash the dress Shoot.

Lisa has written her own report of the day.

I was dressed in my beautiful hand-made Mopan outfit. My lack of hair was a bone of contention but Luciana managed to do something with it for me with a splash of gel and a few pins.
The last addition to my outfit was my handmade earrings and once I was ready Luciana gathered up buckets of bread she had made for us, a drum (no exaggeration) of homemade cacao drink and a huge chocolate cake fit for 30 people!

We drove to the waterfall and emptied the van to the sound of the Marimba. We all stood and listened and then Venustiano invited us down to the waters edge to hold the ceremony. The ceremony was a traditional catholic ceremony and as we said our I do’s for the 12th time we looked into each others eyes and listened to the water splash behind us.

Luciana had been so kind as to lend me a hand sewn sky blue skirt and embroidered white vest with the traditional Mopan stitch around the neck. She had also very thoughtfully lent me the veil she had held at her wedding to Reyes 23 years ago and that Reyes mother had worn at her own wedding another 20 years previous to that. It was bright turquoise with bright coloured silks at each end. I was proud to wear the outfit and hear Luciana and Fernanda giggle as Alex and I sneaked a kiss during the ceremony.
Once we had exchanged vows Luciana as our witness joined us together with a red ribbon and we were allowed to kiss to seal our commitment. Every body cheered and took pictures as we balanced on the rock at the waters edge.

Luciana and Fernanda handed around bread and cacao and the Marimba started up again in celebration.  We went for a paddle with Maya from Conch Creative for some pictures and then the dancing started!
Before we knew it the sun had dropped, we had all eaten huge wedges of cake and had a total sugar rush after our cacao wich was like nothing I have ever tasted. I asked what was in it and the list was extensive, I remember pepper and mace being involved but whatever it was, it was fantastic.
We dropped Reyes and Luciana home and continued on to PG where we had a hotel booked.

We ate out to celebrate with Maya and had an amazing fish dinner and as always, absolutely exhausted we hit the hay early ready to drive the 200 miles to Belize city in the morning.
Nobody said planning a wedding was easy but it was certainly worth it!

The following day we started our day with fry-jacks and coffee and hit the road…back to the garage! While the boys were tinkering about with Peggy, Alex had the idea of taking a few pictures amongst the rotting cars with weeds growing out of their engines. As we knew she would, Maya loved the idea and after we had asked the bewildered garage owner for permission, we got dressed and paddled into the boggy, saturated field full of rusting old cars. The sun shone properly for the first time in days but the clouds still loomed with a threat of rain. The forgotten, neglected vehicles with their inards strewn all around made a fantastic contrast to the soft, flowing Tabitha gown and the whole idea was perfect…until Alex asked me to get into the boot of a rotting car…but…why not I guess?!

For more information Maya Popavic / Conch Creative go to
www.conchcreative.com
http://conchcreative.wordpress.com/
conchcreative@btinternet.com

To follow Lisa and Alex’s journey go to – http://2people1life.com/blog/

Unfortunately we couldn’t get in contact with Trudy and Matt to get any more details regarding their day but Fiona and Adam have added in a few of their own words:
‘With Trudy and Matt, the wedding journey took place over three different shoots in three different locations as they become one.’

Engagement Shoot

‘Their engagement shoot took place a lush field at dusk, a perfect place for stolen kisses in the long grass. I love the soft beautiful colours in this engagement shoot. Matt and Trudy managed to dress in perfect harmony with their surrounds. I love it! So dreamy!’

 The Wedding

‘Matt and Trudy were married by the poolside at the gorgeous brand new 5 star Outrigger in Noosa- what a gorgeous venue! We had so much fun with Matt and Trudy on their wedding day, and it all went perfectly. The venue was the ultimate stage for Trudy and Matt’s wedding as the reflection of the ceremony played out in the shimmering pool. Trudy’s simple, empire line dress with chic single shoulder strap embellishment mirrored the beach side resort location. A sense of a fun and adventure for the future could be felt as the couple celebrated with close friends.’

Trash The Dress 

‘Matt and Trudy decided that they would like to have a “Trash the Dress” shoot in the week following the wedding, which was so much fun! We were cracking up laughing the whole time- and let me just say, that water was FREEZING! Cheers guys for being troopers- even when you were feeling a little under-the-weather and still got in the icy water… You rocked it!’

For more information on Fiona and Adams work go to
www.deepgrey.com.au
http://blog.deepgrey.com.au/
us@deepgrey.com.au
FACEBOOK
+617 30900005 or +6140906879

We are a Brisbane based husband and wife team who love what we do!
Whether it be portrait or wedding photography, our relaxed style ensures that we get the best results possible. We appreciate that not everyone is comfortable in front of the camera. That is why we have a candid and fun approach to our photography.
We believe our photography is timeless. You will still love your photos in two, ten or fifty years time. Our style of photography will never date.
Easy going, with an eye for detail, we want you to relax and enjoy your wedding day, so we ensure that our presence is both seamless and non intrusive.

If you rember back to last June I posted the rather unsual story of Lisa and Alex who where about to embark on a two year trip round the world, with their aim to get married in as many countries as they could. BUT before they went Alex arranged a secret surprise wedding for Lisa to take part in Didsbury a few days before they were due to leave! The results of which can be seen HERE

Lisa and Alex got married in Manchester and since then have been travelling the world saying their marriage vows wherever and whenever they can. Lisa took her Charlotte Balbier dress (Tabither) with her and has got a great deal of use out of it, possibly the most worn wedding dress ever!
They have been documenting their journey along he way on their 2 people 1 life Blog and via twitter and I have been following their story with great interest.

So when Lisa got in contact with some rather awesome trash the dress pictures they had just had done by the super talented Dean Sanderson I thought it was about time to revisit their story and have a bit of a re-cap on what they have been up to!
So far they have been married 11 times and Lisa has been kind enough to give us a summary of each wedding.

11 weddings all in a different country

1. As you covered already. Didsbury secret wedding. Vintage English wedding, mass collaboration from the independent businesses and all a complete surprise to me! Highlights…The community feeling of the whole day and our family and friends being with us to start our incredible journey. We flew out to Canada the next day.

(photo credit Jonny Draper)

2. Quebec. Chappelle St Agnes Vineyard. We stumbled upon the amazing European inspired vineyard complete with chapel and heart shaped lake on a wine tour. Highlights…the Québécois Vicar and his amazing service and of course the out of this World ice-wine produced by the vineyard.

3. Michigan USA. Honeymoon Lake in the UP. Whilst visiting family they insisted on a wedding out on a boat trip in a pontoon. They packed champagne and a picnic; we found a rock half in Michigan and half Wisconsin in Honeymoon Lake and were ‘married’ by the captain, a close family friend. Highlights…the family around us floating in boats or in the water and the tubing afterwards!

4. Banff. Warners stables. Wedding on horseback! Highlights…Alex wearing a cowboy outfit and my first ever time on a horse!

5. Nanaimo. Neck point beach. The family of a couple we met travelling arranged us a wedding on the beach with a member of the First Nations Community holding the service. This is very unusual as they do not share their ceremonies with ‘the white man’. Highlights…the ritual and spirituality of the ceremony and meeting the people we now call our second family.

6. Vancouver. YVR airport. Jaeger Mah was helping the YVR airport celebrate their 80th year by living in the airport for 80 consecutive days and reporting on ‘airport life’. We were following him through his blog and asked if he would hold us a ceremony in the main terminal. He agreed and we had a great time. Jaegers known for his Hawaiian shirts and we were flying to Hawaii so went Hawaii themed. Highlights…throwing the bouquet and holding the ceremony in front of the Haida Gwaii, an important Canadian sculpture featured on the Canadian dollar. (we may also be the first people to have a wedding in the main terminal but as it is not a legal ceremony will not be recognised)

7. Hawaii Big Island. Hilton Waikoloa. A traditional Hawaiian wedding with a dolphin twist. After the ceremony we waded into the ocean lagoon with the dolphins in our wedding clothes and met the dolphins. Reception included drinks and a three course meal at ‘Buddah Point’ at sunset and a beautiful wedding cake. Highlights…the beautiful traditional service and sending our thoughts and wishes for friends and family back home to the Ocean on Orchids.

8. Seattle. Pike Place Market. Only the second couple to marry at the market. Traditional style wedding but under a neon sign in the market place. Afterwards we walked the market and had fish thrown for us, flowers gathered for us and then pizza and beers with friends. Highlights…the strangers that had gathered around to watch humming the wedding march for me to walk down the ‘aisle’ and the flower exchange during the service.

9. Hollywood. Vampire Lounge on Halloween. We dressed as vampires to keep in theme with the date, the bar and the wine and all our guests were in fancy dress too. We had a spiritual blessing after been serenaded by the rock god Marino De Silva. He also played us a spooky, vampish version of the wedding march. Highlights…Marino playing, Clockwork couture providing us with amazing outfits at the last minute and having a make-up artist show up to do our make-up, the photographers (twin brothers) who were the coolest EVER with their vintage cameras AND having friends celebrate with us.

10. Las Vegas. Little White Drive through Chapel. We took a road trip from LA with some great friends/ photographers (Megan and Coco from Offbeat Bride) to Vegas and decided the only way we could get married in our camper van was in Vegas. We shared the driver’s seat as the vicar leant out of the drive thru window to read us our vows! Highlights…actually having a wedding IN the van and the Irish themed reception with friends (Guinness and steak and ale pie in an Irish pub at the casino)

11. Mexico. Mayan Riviera, Paamul. Traditional Mayan wedding ceremony performed by 2 Shamen. The sacred ceremony was performed in full Mayan dress and with upmost respect. Highlights…being blessed with the copal, sending our offerings out to Xchel and the sea and offering thanks to the Cardinal points. (Photos by Dean Sanderson)

Trash the Dress with Dean Sanderson

‘It was while we were celebrating after the Mayan wedding ceremony that Dean Sanderson our photographer mentioned the possibility of doing a trash the dress shoot. We jumped at the chance and immediately arranged a date. Dean recently moved his successful photography business to Mexico from Canada and is loving living in Mexico. He took us to a local cenote which is a natural fresh water pool. The Mayans believed that the cenotes were routes to the Gods and would leave offerings at these sacred pools. Today some of them are protected and others are used for swimming and snorkelling. The cenote we went to was beautiful but cold but we were so excited and could see the potential for wonderful photographs. Dean got into his wetsuit and flippers, strapped weights around his waist and pulled on his eye mask…his underwater shooting kit! Alex handed him his camera encased in its very own space age suit which weighed a tonne.’

‘First of all we went in in the summer dress I had worn for the Mayan wedding and after that shoot assessed if there had been any damage to the dress. There had not so I decided to take Tabitha in. The water was crystal clear and spotlessly clean apart from the obvious floating algae and the thousands of fish. We really enjoyed the shoot and being under water in Tabitha was a surreal experience. Dean was so patient with me as to start with I couldn’t sink! His job was difficult as he had to sink too and therefore couldn’t use any breathing equipment as to sink you have to let out all of your air. He also couldn’t make any bubbles as they would also interfere with the images he was trying to take. By the time we got the hang of it we were all exhausted and frozen stiff. Dean moving about under the water to get the position of the shots was the saving grace as once we were under in that dress there wasn’t a lot of room for manoeuvre!’

‘It was an exhilarating experience that I think every bride should think about. You have the amazing images from your wedding day that you will cherish forever. Unless you wear your dress to do the ironing in or for special occasions you are NOT going to get your money’s worth any other way! The shoot was fun and OUR chance to do what the heck we wanted in the most fabulous outfits we will probably ever own! Hell that dress deserves to be photographed!
I am very lucky that I do get the opportunity to relive my special day over and over and to wear Tabitha as many times as she will stand (and believe me I don’t ever see that dress giving up!…just TRY trashing that dress!) but all brides should consider a trash the dress shoot! Let the inner model out and go crazy!’

Photo Credits wedding 11 and Trash the Dress: Dean Sanderson
www.deansandersonweddings.com
www.deansandersonweddings.com/blog
dean@deansanderson.com
FACEBOOK
TWITTER
‘I live in Playa del Carmen with a view of the Caribbean sea and I travel from Cancun to Tulum photographing wedding in the beautiful and spiritual land of the Mayan Riviera.’

Dress – Charlotte Balbier – www.charlottebalbier.com

To find out more about Lisa and Alex’s journey into multiple matrimony go to http://2people1life.com/blog

Todays shoot was sent into me by Jaye from Tux and Tales Photography  the bride is Steph Holmes  who was married at Sudbury Hall in June, 2011, she decided that she wanted to do a trash the dress shoot with Jaye in the run up to the wedding, the shoot took place in October 2011.

A few words from the bride:
In the run up to our wedding Jaye had mentioned that she would like to do a trash the dress shoot. As soon as I got home I did a google image search. I was really inspired, I loved the concept. We talked lot about what I wanted, I wanted the dress to get organically dirty rather than purposely. I work in the Arts and love photography. So, for me having a set of amazing images of the dress were more appealing than keeping the dress in the attic.
I would never have wanted to have worn my mum’s wedding dress on my wedding day (sorry mum), but it would have been amazing to see photos of her wearing hers in a lake, climbing a mountain in it or jumping out of trees!  I was so happy with our wedding photos that I really didn’t mind not having he dress after as I knew Jaye and Matt would make 100% sure I had fantastic photos. Jaye said they could take photos where the dress really wouldn’t get that dirty. But I decided we should go for it, if I was doing it I really wanted something that I could pull out in 50 years time and wow my children and perhaps even grandchildren and great-grandchildren with!
We spent a whole day in October in the rain and freezing cold taking the photos, but heck it was such fun. I would do it again tomorrow!

A few words from Jaye the photographer
It has been so much fun to work with Steph. From the first time we met her during her engagement shoot, we could tell she was just waiting for permission to let her inner model out. During her wedding photos, Steph really came into her own and needed no encouragement to really strike a pose. I swear, the girl must have been watching Top Model for months – because she is like a seasoned pro. So when it came time to trash her dress, Steph really went for it. Mud, rivers, broken glass, dead deer – Steph was hard core.
Although we didn’t approach the shoot with a specific narrative, one seemed to develop organically throughout the day. As we were in a location that just oozed gothic romance, we began to think in terms of a soulful and tragic gothic love story that would make any Bronte proud.

The Tale…
Our tale begins with our bride waiting at the church for her betrothed. The sky clouds over and the heavens begin to open as rain pours down on the church. She waits for hours, watching for him through the window, hoping to see him arrive just over the crest of the hill. He never appears.
Undaunted, our bride begins to search for him, afraid he has lost his way. Torn and tangled by the trees, she searches the deepest, darkest depths of the woods to no avail. Desperate, she fears her betrothed has left her standing at the altar and she walks to his house to confront him – only to find the house in tatters. The scene of destruction is too much for her to bear, and our bride begins to lose grip on her sanity. She runs through her groom’s home, tearing it apart in her madness. It is only then that she finds that her groom as died – fallen foul of robbers as he was leaving to meet her on their wedding day.
With her discovery that her groom truly loved her, our bride’s heart breaks and she becomes an angel – ready to transcend to the heavens and meet her groom once again.

PS… I have to say…. no one does crazy prettier than Steph!

And a couple from the original wedding 

To find out more about Tux adn Tales go to
Website: http://www.tuxandtalesphoto.co.uk
Blog: http://www.tuxandtalesphoto.co.uk/blog/
Email: Jaye@tuxandtalesphoto.co.uk
FACEBOOK
TWITTER

We offer creative photography for sassy brides. Whether you are having a traditional wedding and want to add texture to your day with creative photography, or you are a creative bride looking for a photographer that understands your style – we are the husband and wife super team for you. We work throughout the whole of England and beyond.

I have to admit I am a bit fo a sucker for trash the dress and rock the dress shoots, after I did one of my own, I think it’s something that every bride should get the chance to do, after all you only really get to wear your dress for one day, so why not get some more wear out fo it and get some amazing shots in the first place?

What I like about this particular shoot is that Rob gets in on the action as well, which makes this a gorgeous couples shoot as  well as an excuse for Paloma to wear her dress again. It’s shot around Brighton and Sassy certainly get her moneys worth out of the location as nearly every photo is shot somewhere different! so much fun, smiles and colour.

Paloma & Rob got married on  September 3rd 2011 at Bannatynes Hotel and Spa Hastings. The Trash the Dress shoot took place in  Brighton on  September 23rd.

Why they decided to do a Trash/Rock the dress shoot.
‘We did it because we both wanted pictures around Brighton as that’s where we met and where we live. We thought it would be fun to have some informal pictures taken without the “pressure” of the wedding day where you’re meant to look perfect every second and behave and be composed (not that we were at ours but you know!)’

‘We both loved every second of it, it felt amazing for me to get back into my wedding dress again, which is something not many people get the opportunity to do…And given I’m never wearing it again I was really up for whatever crazy ideas Sassy had (even getting into freezing water or hanging from the bars of a manky fence). I’d do it all over again!’

For a special treat I also have a rather fab video from the day to feature along with these gorgeous photos, courtesy of Sassy n Frank

For more information on Sassy’s work go to:
www.assassynation.co.uk
sassy@assassynation.co.uk
www.sassynfrank.com
Sassy on FACEBOOK
Sassy on TWITTER
07968948114

I’ll let Shelly tell you a bit more about the shoot itself!

When I photographed Rachel and Dale’s wedding last year, Rachel insisted that we get together to do a proper Rock the Frock shoot. Everything from burning the dress whilst she was still wearing it, to mad rabid dogs tearing it from her body came up. Now not that I’m averse to pouring lighter fluid on a bride (each to their own) I reckoned a bit of caution was in order. So we spent a few months thinking about it and then Rach had the idea of Seven Deadly Sins.  So after some deliberation, we threw together some ideas, got ourselves some props and got down to business.

So let’s not forget the Seven Deadly Sins are Gluttony, Greed, Pride, Envy, Sloth, Wrath, Lust. Pick one and I reckon you’re going straight to hell. Well, Rach picked all seven – so she must be feeling the heat beneath her feet right now!

She arrived armed with 64 cupcakes (we all felt rather sick after eating most of them later), a mountain of shoes, jewellery, guns (plastic ones I hasten to add) and cleaver (she’s always wanted one and this gave her an excuse)… plus her wedding dress.. and off we went.
Most of it was shot in my dining room and the Pride image with all the mirrors proved a tad difficult trying to manoeuvre lights, reflectors, backgrounds and props not to mention not getting my own reflection in any of the mirrors!
The lust and wrath shots were taken at a little woods not far from where I live. Thank fully no innocent passers by were hurt in the shooting though I was slightly worried about Dale ripping off Rach’s dress to reveal sexy underwear in the middle of the day.

ENVY

GREED

SLOTH

WRATH

GLUTTONY

PRIDE

LUST

For more info on Shelly’s work go to:
www.toastofleeds.co.uk
Toast Blog
Toast on TWITTER
shelly@toastofleeds.co.uk
0113 3560157

At the end of each wedding Raphael works with the bride and groom on some more creative shots where they can all have a lot of fun and create something less traditional.  Raphael says ‘ At the end of the slideshow there are some pictures from really crazy and cheerful outdoor session. I’m aware it’s not very common in England, but even if the whole wedding day is simple and ordinary, it gives you an opportunity to create a new world and make it remember as a fantastic and unforgettable event.’

I asked Raphael to tell me more about how he started:
‘There is a quite untypical story about how I got into photography. When I was 18 I got my first camera. A simple compact camera, which I was very happy about. However I neither was a photography maniac nor took the pictures that would impress anybody. After 2 months somebody broke to our house, happy to usurp my latest toy.
After short recovery I did some research in order to buy a gear to ease my pain. Next holiday I took my new camera on a short city tour. Imagine mu surprise when I realized someone stole my bag that I left unwatched for 2 minutes. The camere, of course, was inside.
And the same story here, recovery-research-new camera, although this time I asked many question and met a lot of new people to obtain a solid knowledge.
That was the actual start of my adventure with photography. In next 6 months I changed my camera another 2 times, but as I tried to justify, it was absolutely out of need
One year later I won my first contest in local newspaper in reportage category. Next summer I subjected my skills to evaluation and applied for a job in the biggest studio in the city I live in. I got a position as a retoucher and wedding photographer.
It definitely triggered the wedding part in my photographic career. The job and the people were great, however unable to realize all the ideas that were actually bombarding my mind I decided to start on my own.’

I then went on to ask Raphael a bit more about these amazing photos and the thought process behind them:
‘Everyday I’m trying to be a better photographer, better person, better observer. Every time I’m working with people I’m craving for something different, a new reality I can set my models in. I’m looking for new impulses to trigger emotions kept deep inside everybody. The main goal of taking these pictures is a viewer’s held breath while watching the composition of strong emotions, distinct colours and sometimes absurdly set world fulfilling the whole story.’

”Photography is not a work, it’s futile chase after perfection.
Photography is not a work, it’s seeing and giving heart.”

Raphael is looking to take on more weddings in the UK, and is going to be in Leeds for the next 3 days. If you are interested in his work then do get in conatct with him, his details are below………..imgaine the fun you could have at your own wedding, or trash/rock the dress shoot!! 

For more information on Raphael’s work go to:
www.raphaeloglaza.com
www.raphaeloglaza.com/blog
telephone: +48 663 136 630
e-mail: info@raphaeloglaza.com

Being a Cornish lass myself the thought of a wedding with pasties and cream teas sounds perfect to me!….and more than a little home sick!

I featured another one of Andy’s pictures Here

For more information on Andy’s work go to:
www.andywardle.com
andywardlephotography.blogspot.com
FACEBOOK
mail@andywardle.com
0161 4824959 / 0771 9560255

Photography – www.mark-tattersall.co.uk
Dress – Oxfam Bridal
Make up – Alice Birchmore
Flowers – True Bud floristry 
Accessories/hair – model’s own

More to come later on today……….

Lorna says about the 2 shoots:
‘Part 1 - I wanted to have a practice in the snow while I had the opportunity to. I anticipated that snow and white dresses could be a tricky combo to get right so tried loads of different things that I wouldn’t have been able to do at an actual wedding. It was shot in the Castle Rd cemetery in Kendal on the 3rd of December and the model is Lisa Wharton (she has just signed for an agency in Manchester) 
 Part 2 -  That was a trash the dress shoot for I bride who’s wedding I did in the summer.’
 

Part 1:

Part 2:

Thanks so much to Lorna for sending in me these two shoots. For more information on her work go to:
www.lornacoatesphotography.co.uk
FACEBOOK
TWITTER
studio@lornacoatesphotography.co.uk