How to “Trash the Dress” Safely in the Water

In light of the sad news that a bride in Montreal has drowned while trashing her dress, Toronto-based Destination Wedding Planner, Jennifer Borgh, WPICC, DWC, shares some helpful tips for “Trashing your Dress” safely.  Hopefully this post can save other brides from the same tragic end.

“Trashing the Dress” can be a lot of fun and can produce extraordinary photos, but a bride’s safety shouldn’t be compromised.

Jennifer Borgh trashing her dress at Beaches Turks and Caicos with Wedding Planners Institute of Canada.

I have been part of several “Trash the dress” photo sessions, as well as my own trash the dress in Jamaica.  As part of my trash the dress in Jamaica, I was very close to jumping off the cliffs at Ricks Cafe in Negril but had second thoughts when I thought about the possible safety issues if I jumped from 40 feet in the air.  My dress could cover my head as I hit the water and what if the dress was too heavy for me to swim?  I also remembered taking a lifesaving course many years ago and when we had to swim with our clothes on, it was surprisingly hard to swim with the extra weight.

Here are some helpful tips if you plan to include water photos in your “Trash the Dress” photoshoot:

• Make sure there is at least one life guard on hand
• Make sure you are a strong swimmer
• Test out the weight of the dress in shallow water
• Avoid swimming in areas with undertows and strong waves
• Weaken the seams of the dress so its easy to pull the dress off your face if your face should get covered with the dress
• Don’t jump too high as the speed in which you enter the water is increased with the distance between you and the water.
• If you are jumping then make sure the water is deep enough that you won’t hit the bottom with too much force
• Avoid areas with a lot of sea urchins or jelly fish as your wedding dress can draw them in like a net.

Jennifer Borgh and planners from The Wedding Planners Institute of Canada Trashing the Dress in Jamaica

About Jennifer Borgh Events and TravelOnly

Specializing in destination weddings,  Jennifer Borgh with her team of exceptional assistants and vendor connections ensure every single detail of your wedding is taken care of. Jennifer Borgh Events is a boutique planning company and doesn’t overbook.   Her extensive background in events has taken her all across the Caribbean and has made her an expert in her field.  Being Certified by The Wedding Planners Institute of Canada, Sandals, and the Travel Industry Council of Ontario leaves destination bridal parties completely worry-free in her capable hands. She has been featured in numerous publications, including The Wedding Co Blog, CBC News, The Toronto Star, National Post, Metro News, Toronto Sun, Economist and Sun. She also appeared on Slice Network’s Rich Groom, Poor Groom, Global news and Daytime Toronto.

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