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WHEN THE BIG DAY IS OVER, WHAT’S A GIRL TO DO WITH HER DREAM DRESS? WELL, RATHER THAN PACKING IT AWAY IN THE ATTIC, A GROWING NUMBER OF BRIDES ARE FOLLOWING A NEW TREND FOR DESTROYING THEIR DESIGNER GOWN. HERE THREE BRIDES EXPLAIN WHY THEY WRECKED THEIRS

By Fiona Duffy

'WE RAN INTO THE SEA HOLDING HANDS AND SWAN OUT'

Nicky Page was bitterly disappointed with her official wedding photos when she wed Darren, 46, a paint sprayer, last year.

After hearing about dress trashing, she decided to take to the sea in her stunning £400 ivory gown from Tiffany Bridal, hoping it would give her images to cherish.

"Our official photos were terrible – not special at all. After the day was over it felt like there would be no second chance," says Nicky, 24, a personal loan collector from Southampton.

"Then I saw a programme about dress trashing. The shots of brides splashing in rivers and lying on beaches were beautiful, so I decided to go for it. I couldn't see the point of keeping my dress in the loft for 20 years.

"Daniel and I ran into the sea near our home holding hands, and swam right out. It was lovely to see people's astonished reactions. As we crossed the road to the beach, cars tooted and people shouted out ‘Congratulations!'

"We then rode on a nearby carousel and were surrounded by people taking photos. It was a fantastic day and the pictures are amazing."

'LYING IN THE MUD WAS LIBERIATING'

It was Fiona Humphries' wedding photographer who first suggested she trash her dress.

At first the mortgage adviser was horrified at the thought of ruining her £1,050 Maggie Sottero A-line gown, but she gradually came round.

"I decided it could be really good fun, and create a talking point that would last forever," says Fiona, 24.

So after marrying sales consultant Craig, also 24, in May close to their home in Langdon Hill, Essex, she chose to destroy her gown at the stables where she keeps her horse.

"At first it was scary, but as the day went on I grew more daring, even lying on the ground flinging muck over myself," she says. "I could feel the dress soaking up the dirt but it felt really liberating. The photos were better than my wedding day."

'WE HAD A (PAINT BALL!)

When Melissa Brown tied the knot with company director Juan Cortizo, 32, in April, she wore a beautiful, £3,000 ivory silk dress by designer Ian Stuart.

However, she loved her gown so much she spent much of her wedding day worrying it would get damaged.

"I couldn't relax as I was scared someone would stand on it," says the 29-year-old from Chorleywood, Herts. "Then a friend dared me to trash it. She'd read about American brides doing it."

So Melissa, a TV producer, wore it for a paintballing session with her husband.

"When the first ball of paint splattered over the ivory silk, I felt horrified. But there was no going back.

"Once I'd got over the shock I had a great time – it was really exhilarating."

Now she has just one problem: "My mum saved up for the dress. I haven't told her yet so I'm praying she sees the funny side!"

Would you wreck your own wedding gown? Is too much money spent on wedding dresses these days? What do you think should be done with a dress that’s only been worn once?

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PHOTOGRAPHY: ROB DUNNING, SIMON BURT, ASHLEY G WATTS