What would you do if your fiancée called off your nuptials – five days before the wedding? Well, when a Memphis woman’s groom called off the wedding less than a week before they were to say “I do”, she chose to trash the dress, not the day.
Elizabeth Hoard Photography
Elizabeth Hoard Photography
Twenty-three year old Shelby Swink met her fiancée in college and they had set their wedding date for November 1 of last year. After the news of the breakup finally sank in, Shelby called her would-be guests and vendors to let them know what was happening.
But Shelby had already purchased her dream wedding dress, a strapless lace gown that fit to perfection. Neither selling it nor saving it to wear again felt right to Shelby, and her father suggested placing the dress on a mannequin and launching paintballs at it. A friend suggested a “trash the dress” party. That sounded perfect to Shelby.
So on November 1st, the day that was supposed to be her wedding day, Shelby, her parents, bridesmaids, and a professional photographer had a little party. She and her wedding party donned their wedding attire, trekked out to a field, and threw paint over Shelby’s dress. The bridesmaids and Swink’s father caught some color, too. “We just started having fun,” Shelby said. “I felt amazing. I felt so happy. I think it helped me get over everything for sure.”
The photos from Swink’s party went viral, and not surprisingly, she said she has even received a few marriage proposals. The newly painted gown is now on display at The Barefoot Bride, a Memphis bridal shop. The store will donate part of the proceeds from every dress it sells to a locally-established non-profit, Be Free Revolution. Be Free helps develop sustainable economic growth in Uganda and Kenya.
This story, as well as photos and video of Swink and her party can be found here at www.today.com.
