The Brides' Project

Wedding Steps by Ingrid Mida (Rome 2007)

What type of wedding gown did you wear? Was it pouffy and princess-like or sleek and elegant? What did you do with it after the big day? Is it boxed up in the back of your closet?

If you'd like to give your wedding gown a second life and help fund cancer research, an organization called The Brides' Project accepts donations of gowns. They prefer the gowns to be less than five years old but also accept some vintage gowns. The gowns are resold and the net proceeds from sales are donated to The Canadian Cancer Society (Relay for Life), The Breast Cancer Foundation and other organizations that help fight cancer and/or support those afflicted. Their motto is Fighting cancer, One dress at a time.

Or if you are a bride to be, you can buy one of these lovely gowns knowing that you are making a socially responsible, environmentally friendly and fiscally responsible choice.

Donors are encouraged to write a note for the next lucky bride, or include their email address so that the buyer to send a thank you note to acknowledge the contribution. Photos of the latest gowns to come in the shop are posted regularly on their website. Brides are asked to call to make an appointment.

There are two locations, one in Toronto, Ontario Canada and one in Ann Arbor, Michigan. But they will accept dresses by mail (their website includes information on how to ship the dress inexpensively).

For further information, call 416-469-6777 in Canada or 734-418-3332 in the USA. Information is also available on their website. .

P.S. I didn't wear a wedding gown. I wore a cream-coloured Thierry Mugler suit with a La Perla corset underneath.