Wreck the dress events (also known as “trash th dress”) are growing in popularity as post-wedding (or post-divorce) photo shoots to artistically photograph the “destruction” of your wedding gown in interesting ways. As we are supporting domestic violence survivors, trashing a gown can be a powerful symbol of moving past a tragic, emotional past with laughter, joy, and new friendships.

“Trashing a gown can be a powerful symbol of moving past a tragic, emotional past with laughter, joy, and new friendships,” said Cheryl Haskett, Founder, Udderly Ridiculous Farm Life and Udderly Ridiculous, an ice cream made from goat’s milk. Haskett recently opened up about her own personal story of intimate partner violence on an episode of She Is Your Neighbour, a project that aims to explore the realities and complexities of domestic violence by sharing stories from people from all walks of life.

Wreck the Dress 2023 will raise funds to launch a new pilot program that will enable women and their children coming out of the shelters an opportunity to get free grants to put towards schooling. “Women can be powerful agents of change and productive members of the community when given the tools and support to grow past trauma,” added Haskett. “Providing an outlet for women who want to move past surviving to thriving is something I feel passionate about.”