-
Source: Thinkstock.com
The drowning of a Canadian bride has prompted a local
photographer to caution newlyweds about modelling their wedding
outfits near moving water.
Maria Pantazopoulos drowned after her wedding dress became heavy
with water and she was swept away near a waterfall north of
Montreal.
CTV Montreal reports the 30-year-old woman is believed to have been
participating in a "Trash the Dress" photo shoot, a wedding
photography trend in which brides destroy their gowns in a symbolic
final send-off for the garment.
Previous brides have rolled around in mud and set their dresses
on fire, but one of the most ubiquitous shots involves the bride
splashing around in water - sometimes with her groom, the network
reported on its website.
Pantazopoulos, who was married in June, fell while posing in the
Ouareau River near Dorwin Falls.
Her photographer Louis Pagakis said the weight of her soaking wet
dress dragged her down.
"I tried to save her. I jumped in and I was screaming,
yelling. Somebody else came and we tried our best to save her
but we couldn't save her," he told CTV Montreal.
The current pulled Pantazopoulos into a nearby basin that was about
eight metres deep. Police said Pantazopoulos knew how to swim, but
sank quickly due to the weight of her dress.
Photographer Mario Michaud said he almost lost a client the same
way last May.
Michaud recalled how the bride fell into a different body of water
during their "Trash the Dress" photo session. Fortunately, he was
able to pull the woman out.
He has emerged from the experience with a word of caution for
creative brides.
"Brides think they're getting a beautiful picture, but they don't
realise how heavy a wet wedding dress can be," Michaud said.
The "Trash the Dress" trend, also known as "Rock the Frock," is
intended to be a more playful take on the traditional wedding
photos involving brides and grooms simply standing together.
At least seven people have died near Dorwin Falls over the last two
decades, CTV said. However, the spot remained a popular place among
swimmers and creative brides alike.