The Brides' Project

Archive for the ‘Congratulations’ Category

Shortly after my wedding, I found myself trying to figure out what to do with my dress. I decided that instead of locking it away in a dark closet, I wanted to donate it so that someone else could get to enjoy it and feel as beautiful in it as I did on my wedding day. I did my research and that’s when I stumbled upon The Brides’ Project.

I read on their Web site that they have two very important goals – to provide every bride with the things she needs for a beautiful wedding within her budget, and to support cancer charities by donating all their profits. I was sold.

I called to inquire and realized this was exactly where I wanted to donate my dress. Unfortunately, life got pretty hectic (we moved, I started a new job, I got pregnant and then had a baby) so my good deed was put on the backburner. Until today.

I finally got down to the Toronto location (at Broadview and Victor) and dropped off my dress. (Note: they also have a location in Ann Arbor, Michigan.)

I wasn’t entirely sure how I would feel dropping it off. Part of me thought I might regret it, or feel a little apprehensive. But I didn’t. I felt relief. And more importantly I felt gratification. Truth be told, my dress hadn’t made its way out of the garment bag since my wedding.

So while my wedding day was a beautiful day full of love, happiness, family, friends and amazing memories, for me it was never about being a princess for the day, it wasn’t about the beautiful dress, or being the centre of attention. For me, my wedding day was solely about uniting my family. It was the day I married my soulmate, and the day I officially became a stepmom. That meant more to me than any dress ever could. So parting with the dress was easy for me. And hey, if I ever want to reminisce I can just pull out the hundreds of pictures I have of me in the dress. Isn’t that why we spend thousands of dollars on a photographer?

I sincerely hope that someone else can have the same experience in it as I did, but more importantly, I hope a cancer charity can benefit from the funds they’ll receive from the sale of my dress.

And that is how I decided to do more. Even if it’s only one dress at a time.

Response from The Brides’ Project: Thank you so much Soulla!  As we mentioned when you popped in, this dress is SO fabulous that we actually have 2 of them!  One is Soulla’s in size 6, and the other in size 10 or 12.

We’d like to congratulate Janis and Gloria on winning Proud FM’s Big Gay Wedding on Top of Toronto!!!  This beautiful couple won all kinds of wonderful prizes to help make their wedding day spectacular, including their dresses from yours truly at The Brides’ Project.

We loved meeting them, and knowing that our dresses will help to make their Sept 5th wedding day super-special.   Congratulations and best wishes from all of us!  Can’t wait to see you both all dressed up!

Is this absolutely stunning dress donated by the lovely Teresina!  The lace train is phenomenal, and yet the dress is light… their wedding was in Mexico.  It’s about a size 8/10 and is here for the next bride to love.  Teresina and hubby just moved and are expecting… and felt it was time for the dress to be enjoyed again  Congrats and thanks to them!

In the company of their family and friends, our lovely TBP bride Jennifer married her high school sweetheart Nesar in an outdoor ceremony at Edward Gardens this past Saturday, which was thankfully in the morning BEFORE the torrential rains began. Helen officiated, Gail photographed, and there were tears of joy

Congratulations Jennifer and Nesar, we wish you many more years together, in wedded bliss!

Our lovely client Sandra married her longtime love, Jon, in a gorgeous outdoor ceremony on the grounds of Todmorden Mills and Gallery last Saturday. She wore a dress purchased at The Brides’ Project, had it tailored by our associate Pearl Seto [site], and our in-house photographer Gail [site] was there to capture the day. The trainless dress was floaty and light, perfect for an outdoor summer wedding amidst the trees and rocking out on the dance floor all night.

This photo was taken just before the ceremony, while friends and family were gathering to witness this special occasion.

Sandra, you looked so absolutely radiant you made everyone at the ceremony cry

The G20 definitely made things tough for many brides, grooms, limo companies, officiants, photographers, DJ’s and everyone else involved in the industry over the weekend.  WE hope that everyone managed to have a wonderful wedding day nonethless… and pass on our congrats to folks like Pebble, Michael, Vicki, Andra, Tom and the many others who celebrated.

Thanks for inviting us to share in your day… and inviting us to help

Cheers from all the staff on the weekend… Gail, Emma, and Helen.  We look forward to pics to share!!

We absolutely love it when clients find a dress here, and then truly make it their own.  Over the next several months, we also have a team of wonderful talented ladies from Ryerson’s School of Fashion Design helping us as well, and will be featuring their creations.   Keep posted for introductions and updates about that!

In the meantime, the lovely Karen Willoughby brought her dress ‘home to Mama’ after finding it here.  This is the dress she originally bought:

And here is the work in progress… I am completely awed by her patience and skill!

And… the topping on the cake is always a beaming and beautiful bride to truly do the gown justice!  Congratulations Karen… and thank you so much for not only sharing these great pictures, but also bringing the dress in to be loved again!

Last week I received a call that really blew my socks off.  Kelly had bought her dress here, and called not only to tell us she was bringing it ‘home to Mama’ for another bride to enjoy, but also that they had raised $500 for The Brides’ Project at their wedding.  Holy smokes!

Instead of clinking glasses or singing songs for kisses… these two asked guests to make a donation instead.  Between oodles of smooches and generous guests, they raised a bundle.

You can see for yourself how radiant she looks on her wedding day… and hmmm… is that a grin on hubby’s face knowing that soon it’s time to pucker up?!  Thank you both, so much.  Credit for the photo to John Paytash.

Congratulations to both Jacki and Heidi!  We absolutely LOVE it when brides write to share comments about their day, and to show us their gowns in action!  It’s one thing to see a dress on the rack… much more exciting seeing a bride finding the gown of her dreams… but the best is seeing her on her day as she beams

Let me introduce the lovely Jacki and her handsome hubby Mike.  The McPhersons had a lovely cottage country day… and I think the paddles as pew bows are just fabulous!  They look so relaxed and comfy – obviously in their element not only in the setting, but as husband and wife.  We’d like to also thank Anna White, Through the Looking Glass Photography, www.annaslookingglass.com for the lovely pics!

Our second submission this week was from Heidi.  She popped in on the weekend very quickly and put a wonderful package in my arms… the dress brought ‘home to Mama’ to be enjoyed again!  Thanks Heidi.  And with her permission, here are some pics of the gown with the bride to do it true justice  The dress has accumulated some amazing karma from 2 brides now… only improved with some fixins from Pom Penner (our seamstress) and currently in the washer to be ready to be worn again (don’t shudder… it’ll be perfect!).

Heidi and Jacki, your contributions mean a lot to us, and ALL our staff here at TBP wish you great joy, happy paddling (Jacki), and smiles for a lifetime for you and your hubbies.

I’ve heard so much about the latest fad to ‘trash the dress’ by having fun during your photo shoot.  Y’know, you can have fun without destroying what can be a beautiful and valuable gift!  Jane definitely had a wonderful time in her silk Anne Barge gown, and that was not limited to pictures from across the street in Riverdale Park, riding the streetcar, and some very yummy ice cream!!!

Keep in mind as well that we have 2 really important professionals on our sides here… amazing cleaners who can render a gown back to ‘brand new’ status, and our team of seamstresses who can fix up beads and do all kinds of other amazing things!

Thanks so much to Jane, this dress is full of good karma, good humour from her day, and is waiting for the next bride to not only take it on a trip down the aisle… but on a swirl on a merry-go-round as well!