When residents of Fort McMurray were told to evacuate and leave everything behind, many lamented the memories they had to ditch in the fire.
But for one bride, there was something exceptionally sentimental destroyed in the fray.
Élise Boissonneult lived out very bride’s worst nightmare when she was forced to flee Fort McMurray, leaving behind her wedding dress which was destroyed when the bridal shop holding it burned down.
Despite not knowing if she and her fiancée will have a home to go back to, the couple decided to go ahead with their imminent nuptials, which will take place on Toronto Island this weekend.
So in a last-ditch effort to try to find a wedding dress for the big day, her friend and photographer called upon the people of Toronto to help out the bride-to-be.
Alex Neary posted a comment on the Bunz Wedding Zone group on Facebook, with a simple, but heartbreaking request.
It read:
“Hello! I am a wedding photographer and I have a couple getting married in the city in the weekend. They are coming from Fort McMurray and doing their best to get here. The brides dress is ruined in the fire and she has nothing to wear for her wedding. Does anyone have a dress they can lend her?”
Toronto, you didn’t disappoint.
Facebook users immediately began offering dresses to borrow, suggested setting up a GoFundMe donation page, and flooded the post with outpourings of sympathy for the stricken young lady.
Over 100 dresses were put forward, along with offers to assist with hair, makeup, tiaras and shoes.
And many who were unable to help were still moved by the efforts of Torontonians and other Canadians who leapt to help Elise out in her hour of need.
“I am so proud to be Canadian, seeing everyone come together. It is a devastating time but people are staying strong just knowing they are not alone in this. Please let me know anything we can do,” said Erinne Allen.
As the post spread, a number of wedding dress shops got in contact to offer dresses for the bride free of charge.
Then, late on Thursday night, Neary posted a reply:
“SHE FOUND A DRESS!!!! Lea Ann Belter has lent her two. One for ceremony and one for reception. Thank you all so much for all of your help!!!! I will share with you all photos from her wedding!!!!!”
Boissonneult, understandably, was completely overwhelmed by the Torontonians’ kind gestures.
“If I had to get married in jeans and a T-shirt, that would have been fine, too,” she said, adding, “I didn’t think there was that kind of kindness in the world,” she said. “It’s just awesome.”
*sniffle* I’m not crying, there’s just something in my eye.
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