Archive for the ‘Congratulations’ Category
As the mercury rises, it’s nice to look back and enjoy some winter wonderland wedding pics. The lovely Erin came to visit us and found herself the perfect frock for her February event.
I was married in February of this year wearing a beautiful dress I purchased from The Brides Project. We had the chance at a great discount from our reception venue by moving our wedding up by six months, which meant I had a bit less time than I thought to find a dress.I shopped in a couple of lovely boutiques, but I just couldn’t get my head around spending that much money on a dress I would only wear once. I heard about the Bride’s Project through an episode of Til Debt Do Us Part, and I knew it was the right place to find my dress. My mother-in-law is a breast cancer survivor, and I could definitely get my head around spending the money on a dress if it went to a good cause.I had a wonderful experience at the store, and I tell all of my friends about it! I had my dress altered (quite significantly) by Lisa Van Hattem. Pictures in the link below were shot by the incredible Patti Miller.
So it’s Friday, rainy and grey outside… but if you ever need a pick-me-up, all you have to do is check out one of Emily and Ken’s wedding pics!! These two have the most contagious smiles… and not just in one or two photos… but ALL of them! Christopher Luk Photography did the honours, and I’d bet he had a fun day documenting their wedding.
As Emily says,
I got married to my husband Ken on April 20 of this year and it was extra special because it is in one of your dresses!
Last summer, I visited multiple wedding dress boutiques and I was getting so frustrated because I couldn’t find a dress that I loved. One Saturday, I visited The Brides’ Project on a whim and found the one (and my veil)! The dress is a Pronovias and only needed minor alterations.
My experience with The Brides’ Project was so wonderful that I have told every bride-to-be that I know that they should visit.
Thank you so much for all you do for every bride-to-be who walks in your door and for our community as a whole.
Well, she looked phenomenal, also with noted thanks to Pom Penner who did “a flawless job” in altering her dress. Plus, she’s a hoot to work with 
Here’s my favourite picture:
Emily and Ken… may those smiles follow you every day ahead, rain or shine 
And thank you for sharing them with us!
This week we had a great visit from Michelle Lawrie who is the National Executive Director of Camp Quality (on the right, below). Camp Quality has been one of our beneficiaries since the beginning, and they do incredible work offering the camp environment and other services to children with cancer.
Michelle’s also a newlywed… with a wonderful new addition coming to her family in October!! Congratulations twice over Michelle!
When she dropped by, she brought her stunning gown to offer to another bride, which Helen looks extremely excited about!
Michelle’s dress is a stunning size 10 Maggie Sottero in ivory lace… absolutely DELICIOUS! While she was here, we had a chance to chat about Camp Quality and their amazing services. Michelle had this message to pass along to our Brides’ Project staff and friends,
On July 28th – August 3rd, Camp Quality is partnering with Outward Bound Canada to run a week-long canoe trip in Algonquin Park for young adult cancer fighters, survivors and their siblings. We hope this will be the first of many trips aimed at getting young adults together to meet, bond and overcome some amazing challenges together.
It’s being able to provide kids and youth affected by childhood cancer with opportunities like this that make us so appreciative of the amazing donors who are there to help make them happen! Thank you to the Bride’s Project!
Thanks to all our clientele who have made this possible! And Thanks to Michelle for donating her gorgeous dress! It won’t last long… that’s for sure!
Given that we have two ‘guard-kitties’ here, to ensure the safety and security of your gown, we can understand that your feline/canine/porcine/bovine? family member may be involved in your wedding! And why not outfit them properly!
Recently I officiated for a completely lovable family… Melissa, Adam and their ringbearer Barley. Barley is already dashing with his black ‘n’ white tuxedo colours, and pulled off the role with panache in his outfit! Congrats to all of you, and thanks to Jimmy for the photo!
Several years ago I similarly officiated for Hoann and Jun. Hoann started Cosmopawlitan just as she was planning her wedding, and I was awestruck by her energy and her love of four-legged creatures! By the way, if you have a pet that needs grooming, you’re looking for a rescue or need anything pet-related… she’s amazing
Recently she mentioned that they carry some fun outfits for ‘ringbearers’… and these are SO cute! Here’s an example of his ‘n’ hers, among the many options available:
That pic was in Wedding Essentials magazine, Nov/Dec 2012 edition in their article about couples incorporating pets into weddings. Here’s a link to the event facebook album (the bride & groom were one of a dozen outfits on the catwalk): https://www.facebook.com/
I just received a lovely note from Danielle just days after her perfect wedding. I absolutely LOVE to get notes and pics from the Big Day… it’s the icing on the cake when our crew has the joy of helping to find the perfect dress, and to know her veil was made by my own two hands! It’s so gratifying to see her with the glow and excitement on the day… looking beautiful and beaming… next to her new hubby.
Congratulations Danielle! You are stunning. We’re so glad you shared these pics taken by your future brother-in-law William Douglas McMaster, and wish you all a lifetime of happiness, love and laughter with your handsome hubby!
This morning I had the great fortune to meet an incredibly fun and funky couple – Barry and Caroline. We were sitting around the kitchen table chatting about their upcoming nuptials, when inevitably the question arose about The Proposal. I’ve heard of some pretty inventive ways of popping the question, and in this case, I was even offered videotaped evidence of some remarkable creativity! Barry proposed to Caroline at the AGO where they had met exactly one year prior… just check out this video and check out her BLING!!!
Enjoy, and thanks to Barry, Caroline and their friends for creating and sharing this moment
When you pick out your dress, it’s important to think of the things you want to do at your wedding. If dancing’s top on your list, maybe a full skirted ballgown or mermaid-style isn’t the way to go. And if you want to ride a bike… well, then you’ve really got to pick the right dress!
Bride Katherine visited The Brides Project and picked out a dress that had seen the world for her outdoorsy wedding.
I loved reading the story of where my dress had come from and the wonderful advice the bride gave. It had been worn by two previous brides and was apparently originally from Europe by way of Australia and then to Canada (what travels this dress has seen!). I even got on a bike with the dress!
Maybe not every bride will get on a bike, but we love seeing a bride who’s out to have a good time on her big day.
Congratulations Katherine! 
One of the things we hear at The Brides Project a lot is that brides want to get their dresses from us because they’ve lost someone to cancer, or have a relative who’s going through treatment, or a survivor. We hear this far too often, and this is one of the reasons we’re committed to raising money for cancer charities.
Such was the case with Stephanie, who got her dress from The Brides’ Project for her September wedding, and sent along this message:
I just wanted to say thank you for my wedding dress! I felt absolutely gorgeous in it and everyone kept telling me how much they loved the dress. Sadly, my husband’s mother passed away just three short weeks before our wedding of cancer so buying it from The Brides’ Project had such special meaning for me. Luckily, I was able to show her a picture of the dress before she passed away and she gave it her wholehearted approval. I will be donating the dress back to The Brides’ Project and I hope the next bride who wears it enjoys it just as much as I did!
Thank you so much Stephanie, for the kind words and for the lovely photos!
Congrats to beautiful bride Jennifer and new husband Todd, who endured a snowstorm and the long drive from Sudbury to get her gown.
Jennifer looked absolutely radiant on her big day, and wrote in with these kind words:
I just wanted to say thank you for the all wonderful work that you do at the Brides Project. I heard about the amazing work you do from a friend and I was determined to find my own dream dress for my wedding.
I traveled in a snow storm from Sudbury, ON in March of this year to the Brides Project, determined to not leave without my dress. Amazingly, I found the perfect gown after trying on only three dresses. With only a few minor alterations, it was the perfect dress.
Not only was the dress absolutely gorgeous, I have spread awareness of the amazing work the Brides Project does for various cancer charities. A few upcoming brides from Sudbury will be making the four hour trip to Toronto to find their dress as well.
We had an absolutely beautiful wedding and I received many compliments on my dress. My new husband Todd absolutely loved it. I thought I would share a few pictures from our special day!!
Photo by: Kaianne Photography Studio
The inbox was positively glowing with this email from recent newlywed, Erica, who not only bought her dress here, but her gorgeous custom headpiece, too!
It’s been 3 months since I got married and I’ve been meaning to write to you and say THANK YOU!
I first came in with a friend in 2010 looking for a dress for her wedding … we found the perfect dress. From that day on, I knew I was going to go back to you for my dress. The experience was perfect. No pressure, all fun and tonnes of laughter. It felt so right and good to be there. I came in with my sister in December 2011, not expecting to find anything because I was so early, but lo-and-behold I saw someone putting away my perfect dress. My sister immediately picked it off the rack and before she could zip it up I knew.
I loved it so much there that I had a head piece made by a volunteer of yours, Emma. She was wonderful. I met with her several times. She was completely accommodating, so talented and just amazingly down to earth!
Thank you times infinity!
Erica
More photos can be viewed at: http://kaiannephotography.wordpress.com/2012/06/28/wedding-along-unionville-mainstreet/
Click on the thumbnails to enlarge:
Photos: moxiepixphotosbydana.com
Time to share a beautiful email that’s been waiting patiently in our mailbox from Pip, ready to post:
I came in back in April of 2011 to purchase my dress with my mom. Even though our wedding wasn’t until June of 2012, I was determined to find my dress with you! It was almost perfect the day I tried it on! With a few little tweaks we had the final result seen in the pics below! I did have to try it on a few times in between just to make my heart flutter! I was so excited!
We had an incredible day filled with fun!
Below is the link to our photographer’s blog. Her photos were featured yesterday on the Style Me Pretty Canada site… Hope you enjoy!! We sure did and I had rave reviews, particularly from my husband about how much he LOVED my dress!
Thank you!
Not only did we love to read the email and see how happy (and svelte!) Pip looked in her dress, we also loved the nautical theme, the inclusion of their furry family, and the swoon factor in their wedding photos
Congratulations Pip & Jason!
Photos: moxiepixphotosbydana.com
Photos: moxiepixphotosbydana.com
Photos: moxiepixphotosbydana.com
This is one well-travelled dress!
Maria and Adam were wed in Old Havana last month with their nearest and dearest, and we are thrilled to share in the joy of this international couple. Maria chose her dress at The Brides’ Project last year, Adam picked it up later (without peeking), stored it in Burlington before heading out the country himself, then it was shipped to Maria in Colombia before it was unveiled (er, veiled?) on their wedding day in Cuba.
The dress, once it finished travelling, WOW’ed Adam and we could not agree more that “Maria looked absolutely AMAZING in her dress” (his exact words… *sniff*). We cannot resist a love story, especially now that the happy couple have their celebration — six countries later — and are finally together as husband and wife in one place.
We were just a teeny, tiny part of their wedding day, but we are grateful to Maria & Adam for sharing their story with us. Can you hear us cheering from thousands of kilometres away?
[Photos courtesy of their guests.]
Photo: ImageLegacy.com
Michelle & Robert were married in April, and Michelle has already dry-cleaned her wedding gown — which she purchased from us — and donated it back!
Michelle also bought her veil from us, used our recommendations for alterations, and found her photographer through us. We’d like to give Michelle a virtual HIGH-FIVE!
Also because she chose to include her cat in her wedding photos Charlie and Douglas totally approve!
Photo: ImageLegacy.com
In short, we wouldn’t be able to donate as much as we do without the generosity and support of brides like Michelle. These days couples have many options for wedding vendors, and we very much appreciate when our little shop on Broadview is the First Stop. Our beneficiaries thank you, too!
Congratulations, Michelle & Robert! Here’s to many years of happiness together!
Photo: ImageLegacy.com
Photo: ImageLegacy.com
Photo: ImageLegacy.com
Photo: ImageLegacy.com
Photo: Josh Cornell, Renaissance Studios
I just wanted to thank you all for making my wedding dress shopping a fantastic and memorable experience! I always knew that I didn’t want to go the ‘traditional’ route when selecting a gown and when I heard about The Brides’ Project at the bridal show I knew that it would be the right choice for me. Within a few minutes (and with some helpful coaching from my mother and mother-in-law), I had found my dream dress! The staff was very warm and helpful and the whole experience really set the tone for the rest of the wedding planning…lighthearted and stress-free. The best part was reading the beautiful note from the previous bride to wear the dress.
I married my best friend and the love of my life in June and immediately gave the dress back to The Brides’ Project along with the veil. I was so happy to start our new life together with some good karma and I hope the dress finds a new home with a new blushing bride. Best of luck and congrats to all!
- Tamar & Jonathan
How can one not fall in love with a bride like Tamar, who not only purchased her wedding gown from our shop but brought it back after her own wedding to make another bride happy… Tamar, you have a heart of gold! Our best wishes to you and Jonathan!
photo: Mike Weidelich Photography
We love letters here at TBP, and we just had to post this one from an irresistible pair: a laid-back bride and a man in uniform!
I wanted to send a followup to my wonderful experience with The Brides’ Project. I had had a good friend recommend The Brides’ Project; and had an enjoyable afternoon with my dress maidens and your staff who all helped me to find my perfect gown! I had tried one “traditional” bridal boutique previous, and was thrilled with your laid-back atmosphere, friendly volunteers, and great selection. It was great to know that the proceeds from my dress purchase went to such a great cause. I wish I could personally thank the anonymous bride who donated my dress. I worked with Pearl Seto to have some minor alterations done and she was a real gem!
… I heartily recommend The Brides’ Projects to all of my newly engaged friends.
Congrats, M&A! We wish you all the happiness your hearts can hold
photo: Mike Weidelich Photography
photo: Sandals Royal Bahamian, Nassau, Bahamas
Manuela married Josip this past February at the Sandals Royal Bahamian in Nassau, Bahamas. Were we there? (Very) Sadly, no, but one of our dresses was!
Manuela is the picture of loveliness in this ruched, lightweight gown purchased at The Brides’ Project. It fit her like a glove and now it’s back at the shop, ready for a trip down a local aisle (or maybe back in the Caribbean?). Who knows, maybe the next trip for this dress is down a boat dock in the Muskokas, or an art gallery, or City Hall. Make an appointment to see if this is The Dress, and the rest is up to YOU, Dear Bride.
Manuela is one of our Double Love Brides: not only did she buy her dress from us, but she donated it right back!
Congratulations Manuela and Josip for choosing each other, for choosing us to be part of your Big Day, and sharing your happiness two-fold to benefit others!
(416) 469-6777
(734) 418-3332