The kindness and compassion that followed the 2010 fire at Eva’s Bridals of Oak Lawn is still going strong, and on Wednesday, it will show up at the Nu2u resale shop in Tinley Park.
After the fire destroyed the building and its inventory in November 2010, women from around the country donated wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses to the shop to help the brides-to-be who lost their gowns. Now that business is back to normal for Eva’s, owner Ronia Ghusein said in an effort to keep the positive vibes going the shop donated the dresses that went unused to Together We Cope’s resale shop, Nu2u.
“The outpouring of support we received from everybody touched our hearts and I hope these gowns do the same,” she said. “We just kind of paid it forward.”
Instead of selling the new inventory a little at a time, Nu2u staff decided to use the gowns and create Bride on a Budget, a special evening for brides and their bridal parties.
“It’s just really going to be a fun event,” said Gina Rydz who is overseeing the program. “It’s going to help brides save a lot of money.”
Together We Cope, based in Tinley Park, is a nonprofit that assists families in temporary financial crisis.
The wedding gowns are going for $50 to $75 with bridesmaid dresses on sale for as low as $10. Some of the dresses are in need of some tender loving care while others are in perfect shape.
To spice up the evening, Rydz said wedding vendors will also be on site to assist brides in other aspects of their planning. Bakers, jewelry retailers, make-up artists and more will set up their own tables for brides to browse, and raffles and door prizes for those who preregister for the event will send some brides home with gift cards for florists and restaurants.
Some bridesmaid dresses that will be featured at the sale were also donated by Eva’s Bridals in Orland Park, which is not associated with Eva’s Bridals of Oak Lawn, said a Together We Cope spokeswoman. Some dresses come stamped or stitched with the word “Sample,” but organizers said a creative bride may be able to work around it with a ribbon or bow.
Rydz said she has received many calls already from brides who wanted to know more about the event who say saving money on their gown could make all the difference for their wedding.
“If you can get a wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses at a great price, it’s defiantly going to help,” she said.
While helping brides plan their big day has been a fun project for Together We Cope, Rydz said the best thing to come from the donated dresses will be the money raised from their sales.
“All the proceeds that we do get from that night are going to benefit Together We Cope, which in return benefits our families who are in temporary crisis,” Rydz said.
Dresses vary in style and color and range in size from 4 to 28. The event is 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and is free to attend. Nu2u is located at 17010 S. Oak Park Ave. For information, call 708-633-5040.
