The Brides' Project » Donations

Congratulations, Nicole!

admin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:23:25 +0000

Photographer: Daniel Lalande http://www.danphoto.ca

Nicole donated her dress to us a couple of weeks ago and we’re sure it’ll be headed right back out the door again. It’s perfectly suited to her gorgeous outdoor nuptials: strapless yet low-maintenance (a bodice that stays put!), beaded overlay, A-line with a sweep train, this dress has it all!

Donating the dress has been a nice trip down memory lane. I hadn’t looked at the dress or these pictures in awhile and it was great taking a look back. It was a perfect, perfect day. I really hope someone else loves this dress as much as I did.

Nicole, we’re sure to find your dress a new home with someone who will love it, too! Our very best wishes to you and Mike for a lifetime of happiness together

Photographer: Daniel Lalande
Website: http://www.danphoto.ca/

Congratulations, Nicole! Nicole donated her dress to us a couple of weeks...

Fresh Arrivals From Runway Bridal!

admin — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 04:09:32 +0000

A huge, huge THANK YOU goes out to Mary Ann of Runway Bridal in Belleville, Ontario, for donating designer gowns to us. These are brand-new, off-the-rack and ready to wear!

We don’t have photos of all the gowns, but here are some taken speedily with a phone so you can see a sample of what we’ve received:

B2
Size 12, ivory
Grecian style, asymmetrical neckline with flower pin at left shoulder

Jasmine

Jasmine
Size 12, ivory
Strapless, straight neckline with brooch beading below left shoulder; ruffled throughout from top to bottom

Ronald Joyce

Ronald Joyce
Size 12, ivory
A-line, sweetheart neckline with straps & beaded detail

Make an appointment while the arrivals are fresh, these styles don’t last long in the shop!

Fresh Arrivals From Runway Bridal! A huge, huge THANK YOU goes out to Mary Ann...

Congratulations AND Thank You, Marion!

admin — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 04:40:00 +0000

Photographer: Elizabeth In Love

The Brides’ Project isn’t just about wedding dresses, it’s about stories and connections between brides and families and the community at large. We want to share this wonderful story behind these beautiful photos, it’s the best explanation for why we love our little corner of the wedding industry:

I found my dress at The Brides’ Project 15 minutes before you closed. I had tried on a bunch of dresses and was about to give up when one of your volunteers said “why not just try it” about a dress that I had been eyeing but should have been 3 sizes too small. For whatever reason it ended up fitting and I knew it was the one. My bridesmaids, my mom and I had SO much fun shopping since they could be in the room with me. It was the most fun we had in a full day of shopping. One of your volunteers also pulled a veil for me and it was perfect on the first try. They definitely have an eye for what works. I am so happy to be returning my dress so that someone else can love it on their special day.

I’m very happy to have found my dress at The Brides’ Project since I knew the profits were going to many cancer charities. Having had purchased from The Brides Project became even more meaningful to me about 3 months before my wedding when I was diagnosed with a bone tumour. There were a couple weeks that we weren’t absolutely sure what kind it was. Thankfully after surgery it was determined to be benign, and for 2.5 months post major surgery I was non-weight bearing. I started walking 2 weeks before my wedding and with hard work, an amazing medical team and a lot of support, I was able to walk down the aisle and dance the night away without crutches.

Thank you for everything!!! I have recommended The Brides Project to everyone I know.

Marion

For many more photos of the dress, visit Marion’s photographer’s website, Elizabeth in Love.

Congratulations AND Thank You, Marion! The Brides’ Project isn’t just about wedding dresses, it’s about...

Thank You, Colleen!

admin — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 04:34:14 +0000

We interrupt the Movember moustaches to post some gorgeous photos from Colleen, who writes:

I wanted to share my wonderful celebration photos with you! Katrina (the dressmaker) was wonderful, and I felt very special in this gorgeous dress!

I will donate it for another bride to enjoy and to contribute to the wonderful cause the brides project supports.

It was truly a pleasure meeting you & your volunteers!

Cheers,
Colleen

Thank you for your generosity, Colleen, and our heartfelt congratulations to the both of you!

Photographer: Carolyn Pongracz, In Bloom Photography
Birdcage veil & fascinator: “Love Headmistress” from I Heart Accessories
Dress: Katrina Davis

Thank You, Colleen! We interrupt the Movember moustaches to post some gorgeous photos...

A whole lotta mo’

Helen — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 20:25:11 +0000

Well, Mike’s double mo has been surpassed by a whole classful of mo’s!!! Congratulations to Al (and his students) as our FOURTH Movember winner of a $1000 donation from us. It’s not too late to enter!! We will be picking the final entry based on reasons for participating on December 1st, along with FIVE RANDOM WINNERS of $1000 each!

Movember class

And this is what Al had to say,

Three years on in Movember and it’s great to see so many more Mo-Bros and Mo-Sis’ getting on board. My father has been healthy and cancer free ever since the discovery and treatment of his prostate cancer. It’s essential for conversations to start happening with the men in your lives. Even with regular physicals prostate cancer can sneak up on you. Get checked, don’t wait.

As an educator it’s great to be able to encourage the future citizens and leaders of our society about such great endeavours as cancer research and the need for continued support, both financial and simple awareness. It’s great to hear students tell me that their dad is also growing a Mo this month – they’re the ones who don’t usually smirk or outright laugh at my new facial style. My class was very eager to don their own Faux-Mos for this pic.

Start conversations, ask your doctor, don’t be shy. It’s vital that prostate cancer doesn’t go unnoticed.

A whole lotta mo’ Well, Mike’s double mo has been surpassed by a whole...

A double-mo for the third winner

Helen — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 23:23:14 +0000

And the winner(s) is (are)… Mike & Matthew!

This picture was too cute for words, and we feel pretty confident that when the little fella can grow his very own ‘mo’, he’ll make his Dad proud! Meanwhile, he still gets smooches, and what can we say Mike… the suffering will be worth it with our $1000 donation to your fundraising efforts.

This is what Mike had to say about his participation in Movember:

This is my third year participating in Movember and I hope to participate in many more. I’m doing this for my father, a prostate cancer survivor; for my grand father, who succumbed to his cancer; and my son (pictured) who will eventually be affected by the genes we’ve passed down to him. I’ve attached a photo of my mo’ from last season with my son supporting me wearing his falsie. I’m looking forward to my first kiss in a month. Thanks for supporting the cause and thanks to those willing to endure the wisker burns.

A double-mo for the third winner And the winner(s) is (are)… Mike & Matthew! This picture...

Our First $1000 “Grow the Mo” Winner

Helen — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 18:52:15 +0000

Thank you to all those who have submitted entries so far… and while we’ve selected our first winner, there are still 4 more who will be selected based on their reasons for participating, and 5 random lucky fellas (or mo-sistas!) Scroll down for more information on Movember and our 2011 contest.

Congratulations Robert! We have made a $1000 donation to your fundraising efforts and put you in the Platinum Club!

Here’s a picture of Robert’s mo from 2010, and this is his second year taking part:

Robert had this to say about his participation:

I found out about your incredible organization through my fiancee, who used you to get her wedding dress. I am honoured to hear that you will be supporting Movember, because it’s an undeniably positive contribution to the subject of mens’ health.

I took part in Movember last year to support my brother-in-law’s team, and that was the first time I seriously thought about prostate cancer and the polite conspiracy of silence surrounding it. As the month went on and I noticed more and more hair on other mens’ upper lips (admittedly much more hair than I could muster), the more I admired the Movember project because it gave men a symbol they could wear that says “we don’t talk about our health enough, and we want that to stop.” I’m not a researcher in a public health project like my sister in South Africa, I don’t tend to the dying in a hospice like my sister in Sault Ste Marie, nor can I say that anyone in my family has died of cancer. In fact, prostate cancer never really was a subject I thought about (much less donated to) before I was invited to participate last year. But that has changed, and I (as well as many other men) only have Movember to thank for that. That’s why I support them.

Hear hear!!

Our First $1000 “Grow the Mo” Winner Thank you to all those who have submitted entries so...

Congratulations Natalya and Brett!

Helen — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 01:10:50 +0000

Below is the lovely Natalya with her handsome hubby Brett. Congrats you two! You look so happy, and obviously had a super fun wedding day. And we LOVE the shoes!!! This dress was actually worn by Alyssa Milano for a wedding movie… and now the story of the dress grows with Natalya’s wonderful day.

She wrote us a lovely message; “I am writing to thank you for helping me find the absolutely perfect dress for an amazing price! We had a fantastic wedding and everyone complimented my dress a lot!” Those words are music to our ears, and she has promised to donate the dress back when she’s had a chance to enjoy it some more! (Photo credit to PhotoSix Weddings / Allen McEachern)

Brett and Natalya

Congratulations Natalya and Brett! Below is the lovely Natalya with her handsome hubby Brett....

Facebook promo with The Occasion Sensation

Helen — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 01:04:08 +0000

Recently we partnered with Valerie Gower of The Occasion Sensation on Facebook (visit us on Facebook here). She offered us $100 for every 100 likes that were applied to her site. On September 30th, she achieved her goal, and sent us a cheque for $100. Thank you Valerie! Below is more information about her wedding planning business:

With our endless creativity, commitment to excellence, and many years of experience
planning all types of celebrations, The Occasion Sensation knows how to make your wedding day meaningful, magical and memorable!

The Occasion Sensation is a full service event planning company in Mississauga. Owner Valerie Gower is certified by the Wedding Planners Institute of Canada and the International Event and Wedding Planning Professionals.

Partnering on Facebook, The Occasion Sensation will donate to The Bride’s Project every time our page reaches 100 “Likes”.

The Occasion Sensation

Wedding & Event Planning with Elegance and Style!

www.theoccasionsensation.ca

Tel: 416 575-8970

Facebook promo with The Occasion Sensation Recently we partnered with Valerie Gower of The Occasion Sensation...

Donating her hair for cancer

Helen — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 16:51:22 +0000

The most lovely Tarin Olding is a great friend of The Brides’ Project, and Helen had the distinct pleasure of performing her marriage to Donny in October 2008.

Tarin recently wrote to say, “Hi Helen, I have been growing my hair for almost 4 1/2 years – ever since Donny proposed!

I am now ready to chop it ALL OFF!!!! So I thought why not try and raise some money for a charity that helps kids with cancer! As a bonus they make sure the hair gets to a company that donates wigs to kids with cancer related hair loss!

Please help me to raise funds for the Childhood Cancer Foundation’s research fund (C17 Research Network) that helps kids at all 17 children’s hospitals in Canada.” Here is the link to her fundraising page: http://childhoodcancer.akaraisin.com/smallhands/tarinolding

And Tarin has a LOT of hair! Check out her beautiful mane, that will be used to offer wigs AT NO COST to children fighting cancer. Way to go Tarin, we’re behind you 100%.

Donating her hair for cancer The most lovely Tarin Olding is a great friend of...

Thanks to Julianne’s Bridal in Goderich

Helen — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 12:44:20 +0000

We’d like to extend a huge Thank You to Julie of Julianne’s Bridal in Goderich. She dropped by last week with a great assortment of wedding gowns and some bridesmaid and other outfits. For those in the Goderich area, check out her shop at http://juliannesbridal.co.cc/

We greatly appreciate your generosity Julie!

Thanks to Julianne’s Bridal in Goderich We’d like to extend a huge Thank You to Julie...

Thank You, Tina!

admin — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 19:52:31 +0000

photo: Steve Cumberbatch / magicalphotos.net

We received another gown donation that made its way down a Caribbean aisle (Barbados), and is now ready to make another bride just as happy on her wedding day. To try it on, just make a quick and easy appointment online.

A big thank you goes out to Tina, the lovely lady who donated this sleek Maggie Sottero. Congratulations to the newlyweds!

photo: Steve Cumberbatch / magicalphotos.net

Thank You, Tina! We received another gown donation that made its way down...

Thank You, Jamie!

admin — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 04:15:30 +0000

photo: Cutting Edge Imagery

We are thrilled to be the recipients of a gorgeous gown from a generous bride who brought it back from Barbados! The strapless ivory gown has a sweep train with diagonal ruching and happy Caribbean memories

This dress won’t last long in the shop, ladies, make an appointment to try it on.

We’d like to thank Jamie and her husband for sharing their joy with us and with the next bride and groom on their big day, while supporting our beneficiaries.

photo: Cutting Edge Imagery

Thank You, Jamie! We are thrilled to be the recipients of a gorgeous...

Featured Gown: Cartagena, From “Blue by Enzoani”

admin — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 02:42:14 +0000

Blue by Enzoani: Cartagena

We have had some incredible donations lately. We don’t have a photo of the Cartagena gown, but check out the catalogue photo and all the lovely details:

strapless A-line with sweetheart neckline
asymmetrical rouched bust with lace applique on bodice
side bow at natural waist
cathedral train
fabric: silky gaza

It won’t last, ladies, make an appointment and see if this is your wedding dress!

Featured Gown: Cartagena, From “Blue by Enzoani” We have had some incredible donations lately. We don’t have...

Congratulations, Jaclyn!

admin — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 20:03:31 +0000

photo: castingmemories.org

Jaclyn just said “I Do!” to Joshua in a dress from The Brides’ Project! We love, love, love Jaclyn’s retro wedding style and how smashing the whole wedding party looks!

Lucky for us, Jaclyn’s donating her dress back to us and you can customize it, too! Its simplicity is ideal for adding your own personal touch. Make an appointment and see for yourself.

Thank you for your generosity, Jaclyn! We wish you and Joshua much happiness!

photo: castingmemories.org

Congratulations, Jaclyn! Jaclyn just said “I Do!” to Joshua in a dress...

Thank You, Allison!

admin — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:39:21 +0000

photo: abigaildavid.com

Ladies, the donations we’ve just received are just fantastic! Nine dresses only yesterday!

Allison’s gorgeous frothy frock (see 3rd photo below for full frothiness) made its debut in the mountains, and it’s in the shop now, ready to make another bride feel amazing on her wedding day. Make an appointment, try it on — and take it home the very same day!

All proceeds of our dresses are donated to cancer charities, so not only will you feel amazing on your wedding day, you’ll feel good when you buy it, wear it, and afterwards, too. (Donate it back to us and continue the circle!)

photo: abigaildavid.com

Thank You, Allison! Ladies, the donations we’ve just received are just fantastic! Nine...

Thank You, Daniela!

admin — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 08:18:16 +0000

photo: davidphoto.ca

This darling ivory chiffon dress is now in the shop, generously donated to us by the lovely Daniela. It’s a size 8 and the perfect length for those sultry hot summer days like we’ve been having lately. It comes with a crinoline, is dry cleaned and ready to go. Make an appointment and try it on before it gets snapped up!

photo: davidphoto.ca

Thank You, Daniela! This darling ivory chiffon dress is now in the shop,...

Thank you Runway Bridal in Belleville!

Helen — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 23:05:20 +0000

We would like to send our most sincere thanks to Mary Ann who owns Runway Bridal in Belleville. She just donated 5 gorgeous current pieces that are all fabulous! Thank you so much Mary Ann for sending in these gorgeous gowns. You’re making a huge difference in our ability to reach our fundraising goals this year. Local brides… give her a visit. Her salon is beautiful and you can see pictures here. You will have an amazing experience. One of her brides donated her dress here, and had wonderful things to say.

Brides are welcome to make an appointment to come in and try on the dresses. We have a few manufacturer’s pictures to show you what we have!

Thank you Runway Bridal in Belleville! We would like to send our most sincere thanks to...

Featured Dress: Ella Rosa

admin — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 05:49:42 +0000

congratulations, Shannon!

Shannon got married earlier this year and she has already decided to donate her gorgeous Ella Rosa dress! Lucky us! And, maybe LUCKY YOU if you come into the shop at the right time and snap it up before someone else does. It’s a size 14 and the designer’s photo is below. Make an appointment today — that fabulous train deserves another trip down the aisle!

Ella Rosa gown

Featured Dress: Ella Rosa Shannon got married earlier this year and she has already...

New Arrival

Helen — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 02:44:15 +0000

The lovely Jen brought in her stunning Maggie Sottero dress at the end of June. It won’t be here for long!

Congrats Jen, and thank you SO much for your generosity! We’ll be dropping you a line when your dress finds a home.

Here’s the front:

And the back…

New Arrival The lovely Jen brought in her stunning Maggie Sottero dress...