The Cardboard that Holds Up the Dress

There have been any number of threads in this forum about hangers. What I'd be curious to hear about is what others do with the white cardboard that is giving the dress its shape while still on the hanger. It's uglier than the ugliest plastic hanger. Do you take it out and discard it? Does the dress start to get a little floppy and shapeless? Have brides expressed apprehension about your removing it?

I take it out. It does loose some shape, but I havent had a bride complain about me taking it off.

Id be interested to see what others think too.

I've left it in a few times (mainly when I was a newbie), but I agree, I think it's ugly. I generally take it out along with the ugly tissue paper that seems to always be stuffed in there, lol. Like Bry, I haven't had any brides complain either.

I've never seen cardboard in a dress, not in 100 weddings.

tim wrote in post #11241955
I've never seen cardboard in a dress, not in 100 weddings.

Maybe it's an American thing. I've had cardboard in the dress for most of my weddings, or so it seems. And I hate it. I'm going to start removing it, I think.

I usually request the moh to remove it and help me with the dress. At this point the bride is often very protective of the dress and I don't want to be responsible for any mishaps.
It's often difficult to pose the dress and to move it. I can use the help.

zagiace wrote in post #11246080
I usually request the moh to remove it and help me with the dress. At this point the bride is often very protective of the dress and I don't want to be responsible for any mishaps.
It's often difficult to pose the dress and to move it. I can use the help.

This is a good solution and addresses my specific apprehension.

Yeah, a photographer I shoot with refuses to mess with the dress. He always has a bridesmaid or someone help him out, that way he limits his liability.

Robert, good question. I've found without the cardboard, the dress does cave in. But, with it, it's preserves the shape of the body. Removing it doesn't hurt the dress, but makes the dress look more like a pile of fabric than a dress..

I tend to leave it in.

Never seen cardboard in Australia ...

I gauge the bride's feeling (or just ask her) about whether to remove it. I left it in for these shots, and used composition and a speedlight with grid so it wouldn't be too noticeable. I have also removed it (with permission).

I'm with Zagiace, I always ask if it's OK first and get their help when I can. I've never had a single person act uncomfortable with it at all.... just make sure your hands are squeaky clean first! Also, if you are going to take it outside, get their help on that too. Not necessarily that you NEED their help, but so they feel comfortable that they don't need to analyze it with a magnifying glass when you bring it back.

-Megan-