An Old English tradition that brides must have something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue, takes on new meaning as Brides Against Breast Cancer comes to Hudson County on June 28. Through their “Tour of Gowns,” which will stop at the Sheraton Hotel in Weehawken, the organization sells hundreds of new designer and “gently worn” wedding gowns in all shapes, styles and price ranges. The money goes to fund free programs and services for those impacted by cancer.
“Wedding gown sales are an important fundraising program for Brides Against Breast Cancer. Our organization makes it possible for future brides around the country to purchase wedding gowns at dramatic savings, and give back,” said Amy Paulishak, senior vice president of Brides Against Breast Cancer. “Most gown prices range from $99 to $799, including beautiful new name brand and designer gowns valued up to $3,000. We also offer layaway.”
Mya Widmyer, show manager for Brides Against Breast Cancer, said they wanted to do something in New Jersey, but near enough New York City to draw people to the event.
Originally started in Portland, Ore., as a smaller tour that encompassed about 30 cities mostly on the West Coast, the tour went national when was taken over by Brides against Breast Cancer.
“We visit 150 cities now,” Widmyer said.
The funding from the sale of dresses got to support the nationwide Health Support network, an on-demand cancer resource center that offers free programs.
“There are very few people who are not impacted by cancer,” she said.
The tour is also interested in accepting donations from people across the county who have once-worn wedding gowns that the tour could sell in the future – gowns an accessories from 2009 to the present.
“With this economy, couples are working with tighter budgets,” she said. “The cool thing about us is that 80 percent of the sale price goes to funding free programs, and what we sell is discounted from 25 to 85 percent off of what a couple might pay for new.”
Donations, she said, come from a variety of places such as local bridal shops, some designers, and many who married and wore the gown but once.
“We encourage anyone to bring their gowns to us,” she said.
The event has two parts, a VIP reception where the gowns are unveiled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This reception has a higher ticket for first look at the gowns. The event also has Hudson County and New York City vendors involved as a kind of one-shop stop, and these vendors, she said, also contribute to the cause.
General admission starts at 1 p.m.
“We are different from other bridal events,” she said. “What we make goes towards providing help for women impacted by cancer. This is our mission. But this also is a great way for brides and others to save a lot of money.”
Those who donate gowns will receive a tax deduction letter for the gown donation. The average price of dress is $600 although gown prices start as low as $99 and range up to $4,000, and are usually available in sizes from 4-18.
For more information call 877-721-4673.
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.