I'M SAVING THE PLANET...ONE WEDDING DRESS AT A TIME!'

Kapiti Coast marriage celebrant Suzanne Panter offers brides dream frocks at a fraction of the price

Marriage celebrant and mum of two Suzanne Panter has a home on the Kāpiti Coast that looks relatively normal from the outside. But once you step inside and open the door to a spare room off her hallway, an array of flowing fabric, glistening beads and intricately patterned lace greets you.

Hanging in rows are more than 100 beautiful wedding gowns that’ve been carefully cleaned and labelled, beside delicate veils and signage that reads “Eco Bride”.

The collection of gowns for sale and hire include one-off styles that’ve only ever been worn on the catwalk. But there’s a catch to Suzanne’s small passion-filled business Eco Bride only stocks preloved wedding dresses, which are sold and rented out at a fraction of their original prices.

“My wedding dresses are filled with love when I get them as they’ve already been someone’s dream dress,” enthuses Suzanne, 57, who started working as a celebrant in 2017. “We just keep the love going.

“Hiring or purchasing a pre-loved wedding dress is far more eco-friendly and affordable in the current climate. Not every bride has thousands of dollars.”

Thanks to Suzanne, budding brides on budgets can pay as little as $195 to hire their dream dress, or between $395 and $595 to purchase one.