On our wedding day, there were some unexpected surprises that led to a pretty short portrait session with our photographer. We decided to do a final Trash the Dress session at a pretty cool location in Philadelphia, the Eastern State Penitentiary. The prison has been closed since the 1970’s and has been famous for holding some of the most notorious criminals in America, such as Al Capone and Willie Sutton. Eastern States also has an interesting “wagon wheel” circular floor plan design that has been the model of many penitentiaries in the country. Here are some photos of the penitentiary:
photo by Alice Marie Photography
It’s not exactly your traditional TTD session. Anyone else have interesting ideas for locations?
Wow!.. I agree with Miss. Corn I think I would be scared to do a photo shoot in there. Any noise and I think I’d be running for the doors. You’d definately have some unique trash the dress pictures!
Dear God, that is creepy. Isn’t there some limit as to where you should take these TTD pics? I mean, come on. Graveyards are bad enough. Now prisons? How about mental institutions? Death camps? Iraq?
I’m so disturbed.
Interesting location… are you trying to make a connection between the state of matrimony and prison life or is that just coincidental?
I think the physical location can be gorgeous, but just not for a TTD for myself.
Ok…well I’m sure Miss Bell Pepper is fine with it, and it is her decision, so just because we find it uncomfortable, doesn’t mean we should mock her, Lydia. I agree that the photos will be lovely, and the photographer will take wonderful shots, I am just saying that places like that creep me out. All the more power to ya’ for getting past that, Miss BP!!
Very editorial! I am sure you chose it for good reason, even if not everyone would choose the place him/herself. Can’t wait to see those pictures =)
Miss Bell Pepper, I love you for this idea. It is very different, and i’m sure the pictures will be awesome. I can’t wait to see them!
Lydia, I am not sure that I would want to have a photo session there either. I would, however, like to think that we can all express our thoughts in a way that is supportive of one another’s decisions on what we want to do to celebrate our own weddings.
OR you could donate your gown to Brides Against Breast Cancer. Check out makingmemories dot org
I didn’t mean to mock Miss Bell Pepper. I was just raising the question of what kind of message one sends when one takes pictures in such “extreme” locations. I apologize if my first post sounded too judgmental & hyperbolic.
I’m still creeped out, though.
Though the penitentiary is an interesting location for a TTD, the photos are well taken. What about doing a TTD in historic Philly, taking pictures with the patriots, firing a cannon? Or what about Bartram’s Garden, taking advantage of all the amazing spots there? I’m not sure if you’re fond of water sports, but I thought it would always be fun to water ski in a wedding gown! Keep us updated on your TTD session!
I grew up in the Philly area and have been to Eastern State Penitentiary on many occassions, and I think that is so cool! You could have so many fun pictures and if they’ll let you in the Al Capone cell, some classy looking ones too! I mean, 12 Monkeys was filmed there, you know you can get some cool looking shots just by watching the film!
I’ve been trying to convince my husband to take trash the dress pictures at the Ocean City Boardwalk. Carousel, Ferris Wheel, Rollercoaster, cotton candy pictures? I think it’d be very colorful, and very us.
Great point cupcake! Although in a location like this the dress can still be cleaned and donated. A lot of TTD sessions, especially dry ones, can still result in a useful dress after the pictures are taken.
http://makingmemories.org/trash_the_dress.html
I hope I didn’t offend. I think the photog work that has been shown is great. I just read too much into symbols and the intentions of actions especially with this wedding I am planning.
I’m all about urban..the colors are great and the architecture itself lends itself to cool pics…..but I would have a hard time not remembering the history of the place. 
I some what agree with Lydia- I think that a TTD session in a place like that is disrespectful to the people who spent their lives and lost their lives there.
I think the pics will look great!
Very interesting colors and backgrounds.
As for being disrespectful to those who lost their lives there? No offense, but Not really seeing that.
The people who “spent and lost their lives” there were there by their own doing. I personally don’t think that doing a photo shoot there has anything to do with the former occupants.
no offense taken- to each their own-
however- while each person may have been there by their own doing- it doesn’t change the fact that being in jail or having a loved one in jail always causes a lot of pain. (i.e.- for the mothers of sons in jail). Prancing around in your dress on “haunted” ground just seems in poor taste-
However, I don’t think the same of cemeteries because they are peaceful and places to celebrate life- not punish it.
JMO
I think that your location is going to make for some very interesting phots…. I can’t wait to see them.
Could be very artistic…. maybe consider some edgy makeup/hair?
Wow, I’m very intrigued by the responses I received for this post. I apologize if I offended any of our readers, but you have to really know where I’m coming from rather than making quick judgments about my decisions..
The Eastern Penitentiary has been closed since the 1970’s and has severely deteriorated over the 20 years. During the 1990’s they reopened the penitentiary in hopes to save this national historic landmark. The roofing was terribly damaged and they have been working many years to save the structure. Ways they have been raising money to preserve the place is through tour guides, portrait sessions, and professional film coverage. They also do a lot of special events here, such as discussions with former inmates, and the place is famous for the haunted house every Halloween. I guess some people might be disturbed by the events held at the penitentiary, because it has been a place of pain and the memories. I understand there has been a lot of history and memories, but today you have to realize they are working hard to preserve a place that might be endangered soon. The photos we took might be controversial but we definitely made a nice contribution to save the place from destruction. I think that’s a better decision than doing a TTD session at an ocean or anywhere you might be disturbing the natural enviroment. You can express all your opinions about my “extreme location” but I don’t appreciate overly sentimental responses from people who don’t know anything about this historic landmark.
Now, to my kind readers please don’t attack or jump to conclusions that “trash the dress” brides cannot donate their dress to Brides Against Breast Cancer. I didn’t burn, swim, ride horseback, rip apart my dress, or create massive destruction to my dress in any fashion. I looked at my dress after the TTD session and it still looks great. I’m all about contributing to breast cancer research since my mom is heavily involved in the research, so I might consider donating my dress in the future. Thank you for the information and the lovely responses.
here are a couple of my trash the dress ideas in vancouver, bc - one is one of the worst skid row’s in north america, and the other is a nude beach
and i think your photos are going to be da bomb, by the way. congrats on being so gutsy to get some really great, edgy photos that most brides wouldn’t even dream of
Very unique and cool place I don’t think it is disrespectful one bit. I would love to see more photos!
Mrs. Bell Pepper, Philadelphia
Age and Occupation: 28, Resident Physician
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 30, Resident Physician
Engagement Date: May 30, 2006
Wedding Date: June 2007
Venue: Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
About Me: I love whimsical details and design, everything that *sparkles*, sipping on hazelnut lattes, pugs, shopping for antiques and second-hand goods, scenic photography, delicate flowers, and checking out new restaurants in the city with my fianc??. We are planning our wedding at a unique city venue for about 75 close family members and friends. I have a lot of DIY ideas and I like to blog about ways to save money on your wedding.
I don’t know…but that place really really really spooks me out. Good luck with that