A tragic incident unfolded following the sudden death of a young woman shortly after her wedding ceremony. Local law enforcement expressed concerns that the story would spread globally. Maria Pantazopoulos, 30, passed away within months of her marriage, tragically drowning in her wedding gown while participating in a trend known as “trash the dress.” This trend involves newlyweds destroying their wedding dresses for social media posts, symbolizing the transition from bride to wife. The concept includes actions like painting the dress or swimming in unique locations.
Maria had hired photographer Louis Pagakis for the photo shoot, choosing to take pictures at Ouareau River near Dorwin Falls in Montreal. Despite efforts to capture memorable images, the heavy material of her dress became waterlogged, dragging her down. Tragically, despite immediate assistance, Maria could not be saved. Her family later released a statement emphasizing that Maria would not have willingly put herself in danger. They called for increased safety measures at such locations to prevent future tragedies.
In a similar incident, a video of newlywed Amy Zuno jumping off a boat in her wedding dress went viral. Her dress quickly absorbed water, causing her to sink momentarily before resurfacing. Amy, reflecting on the incident, expressed no regrets.