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Don’t toss that bridesmaid dress – Upcycle it!

If you’re like most women, somewhere lurking in the back of your closet is a bridesmaid dress.  You probably fondly remember your friend, their lovely wedding, and your truest thoughts about the dress you wore.

A lot of people struggle with what to do with high-ticket, sentimental items.  It feels wrong to donate it, but it’s literally just sitting there in the closet.

However, before you Kan-Mari your dress, consider upcycling and reusing it.

A bridesmaid dress is a perfect choice for a personal and truly unique photoshoot!

Before you schedule your appointment with the photographer, however, take the time to prep your dress and yourself.

Bridesmaid Dress

Mod Your Dress

Like your dress, but don’t love it?  That’s ok – you can change it!  A light-colored bridesmaid dress can be dyed darker to become a more flattering or practical shade.  Dyeing can feel a little intimidating, but there are lots of tutorials available online, like this one with step-by-step instructions and photos.

If the shade is fine, consider altering your dress to make it better fit your style.  An evening-length gown might not be very practical, so hem it!  A skilled dressmaker can adjust frills or details and even redesign the bodice of your dress.

No matter what you decide to do, be sure you spring for a steaming session for your gown before your photoshoot – you can DIY or take it to a professional cleaner.

For more inspiration of re-using a bridesmaid dress, check out my article on Seacoast Weddings.

Pamper YourselfShooting star Photography

Once your bridesmaid dress is ready, take some time to pamper yourself, just like you did for the wedding itself.  Spring for a mani/pedi, get a facial, or spring for a hot stone massage.  When you feel great, you glow – so don’t forget this step.

Carefully choose the shoes, accessories, and jewelry for your photoshoot.  A dramatic fan or a huge feather can add a bit of drama or whimsy to your photos, which can accentuate your stunning gown and your unique style.

Dreamy ShootLook Fabulous

Before your photo shoot, be sure you take the time to highlight your features and look your best.  A hair styling session will make you feel glamorous and help keep your hair in place during your photoshoot.

And always, don’t forget your professional makeup session.  A lot of women tend to skip this step but springing for a professional makeup artist for your photos will ensure you are picture-perfect.  A pro can help you adjust the shades, highlights, and layers of your makeup to give you a natural glow in your photos.

With their experience, a professional makeup artist can harmonize your natural complexion, the shade of your dress, and your best features, so they look great on camera.  No shiny noses or harsh eye circles for you!  This might seem like a great chance to save a bit of money – but you might regret it when you get your photos back.Rachel Gordon

A personal photo shoot is not only a great way to celebrate a special occasion, but it’s a fantastic way to spend a bit of time focusing on you!  It’s an even better idea if it helps you get another use out of that bridesmaid’s dress tucked in the back of your closet.

Photographer: Jim Abrams – Shooting Star Photography

Makeup: Nancy Gorman – Makeup by Nancy

Model: Rachel Gordon

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