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The bridal fashion show: Showcasing free rental dresses to BYUH ohana

A woman wearing a short sleeve long wedding dress with her hand on her hip smiles standing on a runway.
A model wearing a wedding dress at the bridal fashion show.
Photo by Ulziibayar Badamdorj

BYU–Hawaii students brought 21 wedding gowns back to life in a bridal fashion show to raise awareness for the wedding dress rental service available to all students looking for a dress, which doesn’t cost a penny. The school has more than 50 dresses, sizes zero to 28, for brides to choose from.

The show was organized by Thalia Komaisavai, a senior studying hospitality and tourism management from Arizona, on June 5, 2021. To reserve a dress, she said students can contact the YSA stake Relief Society president to set up a time to try on dresses and hopefully pick their perfect gown. The service is located in the BYUH Stake Center.

Komaisavai said, “I've always wanted to be a wedding planner. So, I wanted to do something related to the wedding industry for my internship this semester. I thought a bridal fashion show would be fun, and I knew that the school offered the wedding dresses for free, so I thought it’d be a great way to get the word out.”

Full of frills

The dresses showcased had intricate details, like embellished bodices, lace detailing and the occasional pearl detail. The models said each dress was unique and would make any bride feel special and beautiful.

The models in the show represented countries from around the world, including Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and Mongolia. The models also wore different dress sizes, allowing prospective brides to know they too can find a dress in their own size.

Three women walking down the runway wearing white wedding dresses.
Photo by Ulziibayar Badamdorj

As they strutted down the runway, each one smiled ear to ear. The models held the trains of their dresses, swishing them as they walked along the stage. The gowns came to life as they stood at the front of the stage and were posed for the photographers in the audience.

One model, Ashley Howell, a senior from California studying biomedical science, said participating in the show allowed her to feel positive, beautiful and full of energy.

“I love being on stage,” she said. “I love the energy of a performance or just having everybody’s eyes on me. I really love the whole aura, and everybody I walked with was so nice. I would say we had a lot of fun.”

Howell said the key to finding a dream dress is to find the one that makes someone feel the most beautiful. She advised, “Don't listen to anybody else and don't let anybody tell you differently. It's going to be your day, and you're going to be the one looking back at pictures and the memories. If you feel great, it doesn't matter what other people think.”

An audience member, Adriannah Metta, a senior from Papua New Guinea studying anthropology, said the show allowed her to see all body types wearing such beautiful dresses.

She emphasized, “I'm happy to see so many beautiful girls wearing those beautiful gowns. I felt it was empowering to see women be comfortable and confident in their own skin, regardless of what size they are.”

Metta also said this service is ideal for brides looking for a last-minute dress. She observed, “Usually when girls are about to get married and they're in a rush, they don't have many dresses to choose from. This program is so awesome because they’re so willing to help girls out at the last minute.”

A women wearing a white short-sleeved long white wedding dress standing with her hand on her hip on a runway.
Photo by Ulziibayar Badamdorj

Another model, Ester Sasa, a sophomore from Papua New Guinea studying HTM, said she too felt empowered by the show, saying the experience of showing off who she is made her feel confident.

She commented, “For me personally, showing yourself in front of people and dressing up is not common back home. Coming to BYUH and experiencing this opportunity to be in this fashion show allowed me to love myself and love the body I’m in.”

Megan Gamil Such, a senior from the Philippines studying HTM, said walking in the show taught her that brides don’t need to spend a lot of money in order to make their wedding day special.

Looking back at her own wedding, she explained, “My dress was very simple, but I just felt pretty because I was getting married in the temple. My advice would be to not spend too much money when you’re getting married. Be smart and just have fun on your special day.”

See more photos of the event on our Facebook page here.