Is your wedding gown gathering dust in your attic?
Ginge Calhoun of the Allison Ziefert Real Estate Group wants you to pull it out, dust it off and head for The Woodland on March 10 for “I Do Redo – A Wedding Party Fundraiser” for the Interfaith Hospitality Network. The event will include nibbles, drinks, music and dancing.
The idea of a wedding dress party came about one evening when Calhoun and a friend “were having a glass of wine and reminiscing about how we met our partner and the joys of early dating pre-children. We swiftly moved on to marveling about our fabulous wedding dresses which sit in bags in our attics. I told her I get mine out once a year and wear it a while whilst doing everyday household things and also just to check I could squeeze into (barely as the 9 years have passed). Having moved to Maplewood over the years from various locations we were sad that none of us had got to be at each others weddings and so after another glass of wine we decided it would be a GREAT idea to get our dresses out and have a little party!”
Calhoun reports that 12 friends attended the original party.
“Some were in their original dresses, some had gotten thrift stores dresses and one friend came in her full Indian ceremony dress. When each ‘bride’ entered we threw wedding petals on them, I made a ‘bubbling brides’ cocktail, two ‘brides’ had made wedding cakes – so we had a cake cutting ceremony and mostly we drank/danced and sand loudly and badly.”
At 11.30 p.m. the group decided it would be a GREAT idea to head to the local pub and share the wedding dress joy.
After the evening, a couple of friends from different social circles posted pictures on their Facebooks. Calhoun reports, “They got some many likes and comments I realized I needed to do this on a bigger scale and really wanted it to have a charitable benefit. Plus our community loves a good party!”
Calhoun decided that the even would benefit the Interfaith Hospitality Network because the Allison Ziefert Real Estate Group “was to looking for a charitable organization to partner with to concentrate our giving and to really an impact. The issue of homelessness in our community was such a stunning parallel to what we do everyday, and it can be easy to forget that in our own county their are many families are less fortunate. We are working on events, collections (we just collected PJs from our office) and also donate to IHN each time we have a closing.”
What date? March 10th, 2018
What time? 6.30-11pm
What place? The Parlor @The Woodland, Maplewood
What do I pay for this joy? $30 with donation options to the “registry”
What will I wear? Walk down memory lane and come in your wedding attire, or party attire of choice
What will happen? drinks, dancing, nibbles, wedding photos
What to do now? Go online to buy your ticket here.
What else? Cash bar – so bring cash. Find your wedding outfit…..if it doesn’t fit……..duck tape? Binder clips? Tank Top underneath? Oh, the veil fits though! Wear that! Head to thrift store with a friend! Wear your bridesmaid/groomsmen outfit OR wear your favorite party frock!
Where does the $$ go? The proceeds of this fun event will be donated to Interfaith Hospitality Network for the Homeless of Essex County.
Who do we thank for the glorious evening? Besides Ginge Calhoun of the Allison Ziefert Real Estate Group, the generosity of the below locally talented and giving individuals and companies Laura Himmelein, Owner/Creative Director at Party Cake Party Cake & LH Event Design, Jac Kirby – Graphic Designer, Paul Holtzman & Cedar Ridge Cafe, Wine Barrel Maplewood, and DJ JDitto.
