Instead of trashing your dress in a grungy urban setting, how about splashing your dress at a beautiful beach? Local photogs Paul and Cyndy Meyer at White Ribbon Design have been having Splash the Dress photo sessions, and have posted some of the results on their blog. If you're looking for an alternative to the alternative of what to do with your dress, think about a kinder gentler photo shoot.
Splash the Dress - August 14th session
Splash the Dress - August 25th session
Could this photo be any more beautiful? If this is your type of thing, you need to call Paul and Cyndy.

<update 2007-10-27>
We saw Cyndy and Paul a couple of weeks ago, and she let us in on a little secret--many of the photos you see were taken in the same dress! They have a loaner dress you can use for you phot session so you don't ruin yours. In between sessions, they have it cleaned, and it's nearly good as new each time. Since most of it is under water in their shots, no one will know!