Trash the Dress
We have been swooning over this year's incredible Trash the Dress photographs, and recently had the opportunity to visit with Mandy Harding, one of the talented photographers behind Trash The Dress Charity Event. We were blown away by the breathtaking images from this year's event and wanted to learn more about the charity that has raised over $125,000 for the Children's Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan. Generosity and compassion is the theme when it comes to the seven talented photographers involved along with their team of stylists, make up artists and more. We're excited for you to read today's interview and think you may just be moved to Trash YOUR dress while giving to the Children's Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan.
1. Tell us about Trash The Dress:
Trash the Dress charity event is a fundraiser to raise money for the Children's Hospital of Saskatchewan. Each photographer involved (all members of the Professional Photographers of Canada), asks their past brides if they would like to participate in the event. To participate each bride must donate a minimum donation of $600 to the CHF, as well as ask friends and family for additional donations, and do events to raise money, etc. In return for all their fundraising efforts, each bride gets their hair and make up done for the day, limo transportation to each location, supper, drinks in the limo, as well as the opportunity to work with the 7 of the best photographers from all over Saskatchewan. As an extra incentive for our brides to reach their fundraising goals, the bride who raises the most money will win a grand prize, which is typically a date night theme, and valued at over $1000 - including prizes from the Sheraton Hotel, TCU Place and a spa package. After the day is complete, the brides will go home with dirty (but usually dry cleanable) dresses, and 10 images from each photographer as well as a swag bag with donated goodies from some amazing local businesses.
2. How did Trash the Dress start in Saskatoon?
Seven Years ago I (Mandy, Memories by Mandy), got married and got a group of photographers together and some recently married friends and did a big group trash the dress session. The following year, we decided that we should do it again, asking our past brides to participate for a donation to the CHF. It was such a success that we wanted to continue and raise even more money. We thought it would be fun to ask the brides to do some extra fundraising, like bake pies to sell, have a bbq at Sobeys, host a steak night, and get some really amazing prizes donated to award the top fundraiser. One year a bride raised over $10,000!!!
3. What are your brides reactions on the day of the shoot, after viewing their photographs and after hearing how much was raised?
The brides are always a bit nervous on the morning of the event at the salon. During the shoot, it's nothing but laughs and sass, they always just fall right into it so effortlessly! At the end of the day, we announce the total amount raised, and I think that is everyone's favorite part (In the last 6 years, we have raised over $125,000 for the CHF!!!). The reaction of the brides when they see their images for the first time is so rewarding... many of them not believing it's themselves in the images, some of them crying, and all of them, with huge smiles on their faces reliving the big day! It's so fun to watch all of the brides form this fun bond, and becoming friends on facebook... many of our past brides still chat regularly!
4. You just wrapped Trash the Dress 2016 - what were the most memorable moments?
The whole day was memorable! My favorite part of the day is always announcing how much money was raised, and this year - it was over $25,000!!! Another highlight for me was this year we had a bride who really wanted to trash her dress, so she brought spray paint and we spray painted her gown!!! Typically we tell the brides that they will be able to dry clean their gowns and they will be as good as new, but she wanted to go totally crazy, so we brought out the paint!
5. It must be incredibly fulfilling to know that Trash The Dress raised over $25,000 this year to support the Children's Hospital of Saskatchewan, what made you choose CHF?
Good Question... When we were choosing a charity, we wanted to choose a children's charity, as with so many of our married couples, the next step in their married life is children (not always, but a lot of our brides end up starting families). We also found that people are willing to support children's charities. With the Children's hospital just being built in Saskatoon, we thought this would be the perfect fit. After hearing about where the money goes and going on a hospital tour, it's pretty amazing to see what has been purchased with the money from our event. Machines to make finding little veins so much easier, so the nurses don't have to poke the kids 10 times before they find one, or a machine to provide light treatment to newborn babies with jaundice while they are being held/breastfeed which cuts treatment times in half... machines that make the hospital a bit less scary and more at ease for the kids. These are the types of things the CHF buys with the money... the things that there is no funding for from the government. While we never plan for our children to end up at a hospital, it's pretty great knowing that we have made a difference in making their stay there a bit less invasive and a bit less scary. These little things make all the difference in the world for the children.
6. How can brides sign up for a future Trash the Dress event?
Your best chance on snagging a spot would be to hire one of the photographers involved to photograph your wedding. If you are already married, please message us through our Trash The Dress facebook page to be added to our wait list! We typically end up going to the general public for one or two brides.
7. Please tell us about the talented photographers and sponsors who join together to create such an incredible event
Vision’s Salon and Spa (Joy Tesch and Shawna Fairbairn) Did all the hair on the day of, as well as donated to swag bags and photographers.
Living Skies Limousine Picks up the ladies from the salon and transports them to all of the locations on the big day!
Kendal Kayter Make Up Artist and Stylist, D’arcy Hall, B’Lush Freelance Makeup provided make up for the day
Travelodge Hotel (donating lunch for the ladies in the limo)
The event is also supported by the Swag Bag and Grand Prize sponsors:
Sheraton Cavalier - Donated a room and dinner to our grand prize winner
TCU Place - Donated tickets to a show to our grand prize winner
Mistik Acres - Donated a beautiful bouquet to grand prize winner
Chris Craik with Boyes Group Realty - Booze sponsor for our mingle and limo
Brittany Johnston, Arbonne Independent Consultant - Donated over $2000 worth of goodies over the last 2 years to the swag bags
The Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan & Mosaic - Donated tickets to the rider game to grand prize winner
26 Lentils - Donated a kimono to the grand prize winner
Album Epoca Canada - Donated a beautiful box of matted prints to the grand prize winner
Family Cleaners Ltd. - Donated gift cards to all the brides.
Advanced Clinical Massage (Lee Ann Carmon, RMT) - Donated free massages to everyone!
Be You Ti Ful Bath & Body Products - Donated soaps to swag bags
Doghide Gallery (Marion Ritter) - Donated a free frame to grand prize winner
Tupperware Canada (Vanessa Savage) - Donated to grand prize winner
Sobey’s at Preston Crossing - Donated to swag bags
…just to name a few!
But the biggest shout out goes to the team who started it all: a group of photographers who wanted to give back. They are from all over the province of Saskatchewan and all members of the Professional Photographers of Canada. These wonderful photographers are:
Thank you to Mandy and the incredibly talented group of photographers for sharing their favourite images from this year's Trash The Dress Charity Event.
