I’m often ambivalent about “trash the dress” photo shoots. They can be outrageous and even funny, but part of me always feels a little remorseful about seeing those gowns getting muddy. This shoot, in New South Wales, Australia is none of the above, and I’m crazy about it. This real bride found her frock at a thrift store (St. Vincent De Paul) for $20 and she shows that it is possible, if you don’t want your dress to hang in your wardrobe forever, that you can have a striking and elegant photo session post vows. “We wanted to do an “After the Vows” shoot rather than a trash the dress session & definitely did not want to take a tacky approach,” says photographer David Moore. The result are images of timeless, ethereal beauty.

P.S. If you’re planning a post vows photo shoot and are thinking of going the for the water-nymph look please beware that swimming in a heavy dress with many layers can be extremely dangerous, especially in moving water. It may seem like common sense, but it bears mentioning.

Photography: David Moore Photography / Jewelry: Brooke George Jewellery / Hair Stylist: Kaboodle Hair