The Brides' Project

Archive for the ‘Donations’ 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.

OK, maybe not THE Alfred Sung, but AN Alfred Sung… this one was brought to the shop today and fresh on the racks. It’s a size 6, beaded bodice, an overlay that continues into the train, with buttons down the back. (Sorry, I forgot to take photos of the back this time!) Click on the thumbnails to view detail, and — don’t forget this part! — make an appointment to try it on!

With thanks to Monique for bringing this up for the US office, and to the lovely bride Joelle who donated it… we are happy to announce that we have yet another divine Pronovias available for a new home.  This one is called the Oceano, and is a multi-layered lace in a slim A-line style with a delicate V-neck bodice.  It’s already been professionally cleaned and is in absolutely pristine condition, size 10.  Make an appointment to try it on!

Here’s the lovely Joelle with her hubby:

Personally, I think Joelle does this gown true justice… but for the die-hards, here’s the manufacturer’s magazine pic:

One common theme we hear is that brides are looking for something which doesn’t necessarily exist… as is… but sometimes minor changes can make that dream dress happen just for you.

Take for example Annie’s dream… a tea length dress with a splash of black.

Here’s the ‘before’ picture… a gorgeous dress by Maggie Sottero called “Sarama” donated by the lovely Shawna as shown below:

And here is the ‘after’ picture, showing Annie just glowing in her new tea length gown with a shawl made from the train!!

(photography credit to Lissa Veilleux Photography)

You can do this too!  And… stay tuned… upcoming are some DRAMATIC gown re-designs by our fabulous crew from Ryerson’s School of Fashion Design, to be premiered on Sept 10-12 at the National Bridal Show!

If your wedding style is of the urban persuasion and you’re searching for ‘glam’ over ‘princess’, have we got a treat for you!

This light ivory Size 4 Maggie Sottero strapless couture gown is fitted to hug your figure and guaranteed to knock your groom’s socks off! It was generously donated over the weekend from Ottawa (the wedding was on the beach in Vancouver) and due to arrive at the shop this evening, where I predict it will stay for about 20 minutes…

If this is the gown you have in mind, you’d better be quick and make an appointment!

The back:

The trim:

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!

This lovely Lucca frock charmed me to pieces the last time I was working in the shop. The cap sleeves really do it for me — they’re feminine, classic, and a refreshing alternative to the sea of sleeveless/strapless. I’ve been telling brides about cap sleeves for ages, but didn’t have any examples on hand to show how wonderful they can be. You can buy a strapless dress at The Brides’ Project and have cap sleeves added by one of our talented seamstresses for flair. A light, semi-opaque sleeve material such as you see here is paired well with a soft hair accent such as a flower or feathers. Get creative with your dress, there are many options available to suit your personal style!

Okay, the dresses don’t glow in the dark… but there was definitely a glow on my face when I visited OPG’s Nuclear Information Centre yesterday.  Laura, one of our lovely clients, went on a mission and collected gowns for us over the last couple of months.  Through the generosity of her coworkers and others, there were  22 dresses waiting for us!  When we arrived, the entire lobby was filled with gowns of every description, including one that had just been worn 5 days before, and one worn over 50 years ago.

A huge thanks to Laura and her colleagues at OPG, and also to the lovely Catherine Kentridge (wedding officiant) who was kind enough to join me and help me tote them all home!  (upper left pic… Laura, Catherine & myself)

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!

Our continued thanks to all the lovely brides who have parted with their dresses, and entrusted us to find new homes for them!

One of the styles we have been asked for frequently, is the classic mermaid.  This week, Siu-Lan brought in this absolutely gorgeous example:

This is the image they used for their Thank You cards, and from all of us here at The Brides’ Project, thank YOU!!!  If you’d like to see the dress truly in action, you can also check out their fabulous wedding video – I have to say it’s one of the best I’ve ever seen!  Kudos to Michael Wong.