6 Things (plus 1) to do with Your Wedding Dress
What do brides do with their wedding dresses after the wedding? Umm...nothing, well for me, nothing. For some reason I am very attached to my dress *looking at it lovingly*! Bah! I'm going to sell it. No...I won't. This deliberation has been on for quite some time now- to sell or not to sell. Sometime ago, I got the opportunity to work with David Bragdon, a style photographer who happens to be my neighbor! He was graceful enough to have my wedding dress photographed just in case I chose to sell it (the big S word). However, before I make any hasty decisions, I've decided to explore all other options available! Hopefully at the end of this post, I'll come to the most likely decision. Your ideas are completely welcome, (see #7)!
Here are 7 things to do with your wedding dress:
1. Pass it down to your daughter
My mum passed down her 35+ year old wedding dress to my sister who took bits of it and incorporated it into her wedding veil! It was so adorable!
2. Save it for your 'Renewal of Vows' ceremony
If ever you choose to renew your vows at 5, 10, 15 or 50 years (or never...also an option), wouldn't it be great to be able to actually fit into your wedding dress still! A-ha, that's a challenge. Psst, I couldn't fit into my dress when I tried it on for this shoot! Don't be like me! Be forever fit!
3. Sell it (sniff)
This is the most likely option because I feel like my dress is really just occupying space and also I don't like things wasting away when they could be benefiting someone else. As you can tell, I'm a huge recycler, well most of the time.
4. Donate it to charity
While I was asking for opinions about what to do with my dress, a friend casually said with a flick of her wrist and a toss of her hair, "Donate it. I donated mine to charity." She might as well have told me to jump off the 8th floor. I forgive her. I do.
I'm attached to the dress, I don't know if it's because it took me ages to find or because I'm just a drama queen. Maybe a little of both. I don't think I'm donating either way.
5. Rent it out
Renting is a great idea because it brings in cash but you have to be prepared to dryclean it after every transaction. Not to mention have it repaired everytime it rips. *Pausing and thinking this through*
Like I'd have to give it out and then have it returned to me smelling like someone else. What if someone else does stuff in it. *Pensive*
No, I can't. I can't deal.
6. Convert parts of it into household linen
Scream!!! How could you even suggest that, Ike?! Lol. This clearly takes guts. If I ever tried to cut up my wedding dress, I'd be stuck standing there with a pair of scissors until Jesus comes and pries it out of my hands. I don't think I could. *goosebumps*
7. Please comment below for the best answer(s) for #7
What did you do with your wedding dress? What do you suggest I do with mine?! The first three answers will be alloted point 7(a), (b) and (c)!
Related posts: Why your wedding day is not the happiest day of your life; The one that got away; Your wedding dress shopping check list!
Where the Magic Happens (wink)
Photo credit: Ed
Welcome everyone, to where all the magic happens- my creative space! Hehe, you didn't really think I meant magic, magic, MAGIC! *side-eye*
Anyway, I'm delighted you are here and have been sharing my space with me. This is our 86th blog post! Thanks for all the comments, private messages and support, so yeah, i thought i'd show you where it all goes down. I want to say all my ideas come to me as I sit at my desk and stare intensely into the distance but they don't! They come while I'm in the shower, as all eureka moments do.
This post is dedicated to everyone who reads this blog and a million thanks for sticking with PGI all this while! Greater things coming!
Enjoy!
"Pink in Paris" by Debra Cartwright
That's Judah, my Bonsai plant. He doesn't take walks and I inhale his waste (what perfect pets are made of)
Product Collage (and links)!
1. FJÄLLBERGET (IKEA) Ed and I spent almost an hour deciding to get this chair, I loved it and he didn't think the price was commensurate with whatever customer value they were trying to provide. Anyway, I got it. It's not the most comfortable of chairs, I spend more time on his chair *side eye from Ed* Lol! #betterdecisions2016
2. Mouse Pad and Coaster (Etsy)
3. "Pink in Paris" by Debra Cartwright (Etsy)
4. RIGGAD (IKEA)
5. Polka Dot Mug (Kate Spade)
PGI's January Girl - Joko
I met Joko 6 years ago within the walls of NYSC Lagos orientation camp, Iyana Ipaja. Of course, we spent all free our time in Mammy market, eating indomie and drinking Berry blast on those hot, lazy harmattan afternoons and at night we nibbled pancakes or skewered suya with Milo (little wonder we got fat in camp LOL!). Who says serving the country is not fun?
Anyway, i met this bubbly, fun girl who was an entrepreneur and had mentioned this fact in the first 5 minutes of us meeting. Entrepreneurs my age, 6 years ago, were pretty rare, so i uuuuuuh-ed and aaaaaaah-ed in wonder, in my head. Also, much to my amazement, she had brought along with her to Ipaja, her newly printed business cards, which she handed out to anyone who cared to receive them. For the first time, i was observing a real business owner first hand, networking and actively building a business! It was thrilling and inspiring. She was completely oblivious to the effect she had on me but I think she might have sowed a crazy entrepreneurial seed in me that day. It has been more than a delight seeing her business grow and her passion and hard work payoff over the years.
Jokotade Omojirade Shonowo is the girl behind the renowned PoshClick Portraiture and this exceptionally talented business woman is PGI’s January Girl! She has a Bachelors degree in Microbiology from Olabisi Onabanjo University and made a career change to photography in 2010!
Ok, time to hang with Joko! And we are going straight to the point of this post with the first question!
Joko................Gala or plantain chips?
Plantain Chips
(You can tell a lot about a person from the answer to that question)
How long have you been a professional photographer?
About 6 years now
How did you know this was what you wanted to be and how did you make the career transition?
It wasn't cast in stone from day 1 but I definitely had an unwavering passion for photography and I pursued it against the odds.
I pretty much started photography actively during my service year in 2010 whilst serving at Recreate Consult as the Client Service Representative.
What was the model of your first camera?
Canon 400D
[Thief: Your camera or your phone?
Joko: ?]
My Phone.... In fact, none😂😂😂
Your favorite Photography mentors or blogs?
Ty Bello , Sue Bryce , Elizabeth Messina and Susan Stripling
Where is your favorite place to visit?
Seychelles
Is PoshClick like your second baby?
PoshClick is actually my first baby but of course it had to move over for Demilicious to assume her rightful position.
How many photos of Demi do you have? Rough estimate
Over 5,000
Is she ever there while you work?
Yes, sometimes. In fact, she went with me to a product shoot last week and was extremely good. She’s mummy's little helper😘😘😘
What are your hours like?
I have 20 hour-work-days. I'm a walking zombie sometimes.
How do you get yourself out of bed after a long night working?
I would rather sleep in but the only thing that drags me out of bed after a long work night is a DEADLINE.
What do you love the most about your job?
Finding beauty through my lenses
9 pm, Thursday night what are you doing?
Spending time with family
What was the last item you bought ?
Cod Liver Oil - Orange Flavour
What do you sing in the shower?
Nothing- I’m always quiet, I strategize in the shower
Lagos traffic survival kit?
Good Music/ Good Company , Gum and Water
4 THINGS I LEARNT
1. Do what you love and Network! Even Iyana ipaja NYSC camp is a great networking platform. Who knew?!
2. Set deadlines for yourself and sometimes, be quiet in the shower (Note to Self, Ike!)
3. Follow your Dreams, even as a mum!
4. Orange flavored cod-liver oil exists, i can’t even begin to ask whose idea that was
Thank you so much, Jokotade, for being PGI's January Girl!!! Love you loads!
PoshClick Portraiture:
Phone: +2348023655153
Instagram @poshclick
PGI loves to honor everyday people who inspire. The great news is, we are all capable of inspiring! Do you know someone who inspires? Click here and share with us!