What better way to celebrate your marriage on milestone anniversaries than to get back into the dress? As our 10-year anniversary drew near, I knew I wanted to have an anniversary photo shoot where I slipped back into my wedding dress and my husband into his tuxedo. We even included our children for the big day. Here's why I wanted to do it and why I think you should too.
While I was planning my wedding, I spent a lot of time browsing threads on The Knot. I had just said yes to THE dress and found myself reading an entry about anniversaries. One woman mentioned that each year she put her wedding dress back on for their anniversary date night. Whether they were eating at a fancy restaurant or just playing miniature golf, she put her gown on and hit the town. I absolutely loved the idea, but since we'd be moving the year after our wedding I didn't think it was too practical for me. Besides, my parents had my dress cleaned and preserved while I was on our honeymoon. So, I just tucked the idea away.
At our wedding in 2009. Photo® Jason Angelini Photography
Over the next few years, we had two children. Although I was able to shed the baby weight with each one, the shape of my body changed a bit and I wasn't sure that getting back in my dress would ever be a realistic goal. I spent a lot of time caring for my kids and putting their needs ahead of my own. But, that all changed last year. I decided it was time to take control of my health and get back to being me. In May of 2018, I started a free two-week trial membership at a local gym that offered boot camp style classes. Before the first week was over, I signed up and never looked back. I started going to the gym 5-6 days per week and then added running to my exercise routine. Before long, I was training for races. First a 5K, then a 10K, then a half marathon. If you'd have asked me a year before I would have said that I didn't have time for any of those things. The truth was, I wasn't ready. When the timing was right and the situation was right, I made a change and my life has become so much better for it. I'm a better wife and mother now that I'm taking care of myself. I feel stronger and have more mental clarity. I feel like I finally have my life together.
One day, I was chatting with one of my closest friends, Jen, about our upcoming 10-year anniversaries, we were both surprised to hear the other say that we wanted to get back in our dresses to celebrate the big day. I wondered if other women wanted to do this too. Why aren't more people doing this?! An anniversary photo shoot where you get back in your wedding attire should totally be a thing. So, we decided to make it one.
10th Anniversary Photo Shoot
About 6 weeks before our anniversary, I tentatively unboxed my wedding dress and tried it on. I'm proud to say it zipped up and I didn't have to do any crazy dieting to make it work. The past year of working out faithfully had paid off in more ways than I could have imagined.
To make these photos become a reality, Jen and I reached out to a few friends who we knew could help us look and feel beautiful for our anniversary photos. Noelle, the owner of The Vanity Room Salon, did our hair and makeup for these photos and I'm so glad we chose to enlist the help of a professional. We went to the salon that morning and enjoyed champagne while getting ready for our photos. It was perfect.
We'd both used Leah Dorr Photography multiple times for family photos and knew she had the perfect light and airy aesthetic for our anniversary photo shoot. Her photos are always so well composed and balanced. I love her work!
We even got our two children involved. I ordered our little man a super cute formal suit from Amazon and the quality was fantastic (and it was less than $40!) I ordered our little lady an Ivory flower girl dress from Amazon for a steal and it made her feel like a beautiful princess.
I'm really glad we decided to take photos with our kids. They are our biggest accomplishment in our 10 years of marriage and it felt so special to have these photos with them.
Here are some additional photos from our anniversary shoot. I'm so happy with the way these turned out!
At the last minute, I decided to grab a bottle of champagne and some flutes so we could toast to 10 great years together.
Of course, we had to get some fun photos too!
Special thanks to my husband for being a fantastic sport and going along with these photos. They are so special to me. I love you and look forward to many, many years with you.
I also wanted to get a few photos with Jen and her family. We are such great friends and so are our daughters so it was lovely to be able to get a few shots together. Jen has been my workout buddy since I started working out again and she's been such a wonderful example of a strong, fit mom. She motivates me every single day to be the best wife and mother I can be.
I'm thrilled we were both able to #GetBackInTheDress after 10 years. I can't wait to try this again in another decade! I hope other women will be encouraged to focus on themselves and their health and fitness and get back in their wedding dress, at least once!
Will you #GetBackInTheDress?
If you do, I'd love to see!
Paige Cassandra Flamm says
This is such a fun idea! I'd turned my wedding dress into my daughter's baby blessing dress when I was pregnant with her because we were told she wouldn't live long, and then she turned into a miracle baby which is amazing, but sometimes I wish I still had my dress to do fun things like this with! But it will be sweet to pass that baby blessing dress to grandchildren as they come along!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.com
Stephanie says
Love this! Hopefully I’ll need my dress taken in!
Mia E. says
What beautiful photos and your wedding dress is gorgeous. I think this is a neat idea and I like how you were able to include your kids. What a special day.