Aimee Walker
A bride tragically died shortly after tying the knot while participating in the ‘trash the dress’ trend.
Estate agent Maria Pantazopoulos, from Canada, was just 30 years old when she lost her life under devastating circumstances.
After hearing her story, people have taken to social media and paid tribute.
One person writes: “This is so sad.”
Another says: “My heart goes out to her loved ones. RIP.”
“So sad, may she rest in peace,” pens a third. “My condolences to her family.”
Weddings are an occasion for tradition yet now and then, a new trend will come along that can truly make this special time memorable.
Not long after her wedding day, Maria participated in the popular ‘trash the dress’ trend, also known as ‘fearless bridal’ and ‘rock the frock.’
‘Trash the dress’ is a style of wedding photography that contrasts glamorous and feminine clothing with a more messy environment, such as a muddy field or garbage dump.
In the process, the person will ‘trash’ their dress by getting it wet and dirty, and in extreme circumstances, the gown will even be cut or torn.
The trend is designed to symbolize a bride’s transition into a wife but following the tragic passing of Maria, some photographers have spoken out against it.
Photographer Rhiannon D’Averc penned a blog in 2022 in which she warned brides against the shoot style, particularly regarding a water environment.
She said: “This is the most common problem that you will hear about, and it can lead to huge problems.
“‘Trash the dress’ shoots are becoming more and more popular, but going into water with them is a very bad idea.”
In 2012, Maria posed in her wedding dress near Dorwin Falls, Quebec.
CTV News reports that upon entering the water, it was clear the 30-year-old’s gown was becoming too heavy.
Being of small stature and weighing around 100-Ibs, Maria was reportedly pulled into an eight-metre-deep section of the lake.
According to the Toronto Sun, she cried out: “I can’t anymore, it’s too heavy.”
Photographer Louis Pagakis recounted: “She had her wedding dress on and she said, ‘Take some pictures of me while I swim a little bit in the lake,’ she went in and her dress got heavy, I tried everything I could to save her.
“I jumped in, I was screaming and yelling, we tried our best.”
According to the CTV News report, the tragedy occurred at around 2 p.m., with Maria’s body being recovered shortly before 6 p.m.
Two witnesses were taken to the hospital and treated for shock.
Photographer Mario Michaud informed CTV News that a bride he was shooting with narrowly escaped a similar mishap at the same spot just months before. Fortunately, the woman was saved in this case.
An experienced diver told the news outlet that the lake’s current is deceptively strong.
Leeza Pouhoulidis, a friend of Maria’s family, told QMI Agency: “She was small, but very strong mentally and physically.
“She loved to have fun. She loved life.”
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