The Running of the Hairy Legged Brides is a team relay race to raise money for Camp Sunshine. The race course, located on Water Street in downtown Gardiner, is a bold 100 laps between Sweet Love Bridal Boutique and Renys. CLZ will be on-site to capture the event as it unfolds!

To compete in the race, each team must have at least one wedding dress, to be worn by the running bride. Because of the strenuous nature of the course, relay teams are encouraged to have at least 5 members.

Prizes will be awarded to the first team to complete the race, to “best in show,” and to the top fundraising team. To be considered for an award or prize, your donations must be received no later than 7:00 AM, November 5, 2011.

Wedding dresses are available at local Goodwill stores. Call Sweet Love for additional information on where to find your gown.

Registration will take place at Sweet Love, 289 Water Street, Gardiner. Teams should arrive in time to complete registration by 7:00 AM. Coffee, donuts, and water will be available to all participants.

EMAIL THE SHOP FOR A REGISTRATION FORM!
info@sweetloveboutique.com

RunningHairyLeggedBrides-lowres_2011

‘Brides’ charity race leaves men hot to trot

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By Mechele Coopermcooper@centralmaine.com

Staff Writer

GARDINER — Men in wedding dresses racing down Water Street?

Sounds like fun.

And cold.

Sweet Love Bridal Boutique is hosting Running of the Hairy Legged Brides, a fun charity race onSaturday, to raise money for Camp Sunshine. The event also helps promote Reny’s “early bird sale,” which starts at 7 a.m.

Kara Wilbur of Sweet Love said the first team to run or walk 100 times between her bridal boutique and Reny’s will win the race. Each team must have at least one wedding dress, to be worn by the running bride. Because the race is taking place downtown, all rules of the road must be followed, including staying on the sidewalk and obeying traffic signals.

“It’s a spoof on the running of the brides at Filene’s Basement,” Wilbur said Wednesday, referring to an event in which more than 1,000 brides-to-be flock to Union Square Filene’s Basement in Boston twice a year to find their dream dress at bargain prices. “We’re hoping to make it an annual thing if it goes well.” Wilbur said about a half-dozen teams have signed up for Saturday’s race.

The winner of the race, “best in show” and top fundraising teams will be awarded prizes, she said.  Used wedding dresses can be found at local Goodwill stores, she said. She also will help any team find a gown they can wear.

Nate McKenna, a 35-year-old Gardiner real estate agent, is recruiting members for his team. He said Wilbur found him a donated wedding dress to wear in the race. “My wife wouldn’t give hers up,” McKenna said. He said the event sounds like a good time while supporting good causes: children with special needs, the community and downtown businesses. “I think it will definitely be humbling and a little embarrassing,” he said, “but if you can’t laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at? Especially if it’s for the right reasons.

Camp Sunshine supports children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. Ashley Riley, event coordinator for Camp Sunshine, said the funds will go toward the 2011 Family Sponsorship Program. She said 1,000 families are sent to camp each year. “The support offered is greatly appreciated,” Riley said.

Wilbur said Reny’s holds its early bird sale once a year, in November. For details, Wilbur said, call 512-5859. She said team registration will take place at Sweet Love, 289 Water St. Teams should arrive in time to complete registration by 7 a.m.

Mechele Cooper — 623-3811, ext. 408

mcooper@centralmaine.com

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Sweet Love and Baxter Tea are very excited to announce that, due to great response from the community, we will be holding open mic every Thursday night at 7 pm. So come on down whenever you are able.. We’ll be here!

We are so excited that we were featured on Style Me Pretty! Our gowns got shown with beautiful Lo Boheme accessories.  Here’s a bit of what they said:



“Vintage. Bohemian. Pure Girly Awesomeness. All of these words come to mind when looking at the new Lo Boheme spring collection. I am lucky enough to have a few pieces in my closet and I am SO IN LOVE, I want to scream it from the mountaintops. Accessories are must a for any fashion-obsessed bride. They absolutely can change an entire look with one little plop of a headpiece or clip of a feather. Lauren Christensen, the uber talented designer behind these pretties, is inspired by all things vintage and feminine and she has the accessories to prove it! Decorating one’s head is an art form, in my opinion, and what better way to decorate it then with something so very fabulous.”



Check out stylemepretty.com for the full article with pictures here.