The Bride's Project

In an unassuming house in the east end of the city Helen Sweet operates her bridal store. But unlike any other boutique, each brides‘ purchase will have an effect that lasts longer than their wedding day.

The Brides’ Project is a volunteer-run organization that accepts donated wedding dresses and resells them at a lower cost. All proceeds are then given directly to different cancer charities.

The idea came to Helen after her second marriage: “I thought, okay I’ve got the dress, I’ve got the shoes, I’ve got all this stuff and the day’s over. I don’t know what to do with it but surely somebody else can use this and get some good out of it and at the same time maybe we can make a contribution to the community that’s a bit more lasting than my one day.”

The organization is dedicated to the memory of Helen’s best friend whom she lost to cancer when they were nine years old.

“Underlying it all is a sense of hope and not, ‘Oh, I lost this,’ but maybe through a contribution I’m making today maybe another bride will have her dad walking her down the aisle or have her mom to go shopping for wedding dresses with,” says Helen.

Since opening her doors in 2004, The Brides’ Project has raised half a million dollars for the fight against cancer.