When Jane Tarren decided she no longer wanted to give her wedding dress house room, she chose to dispose of it in a very unusual way.
Contribute to Jane’s JustGiving appeal here
She posted a photograph of it on Facebook with the words: “Please help me remove this Sontie wedding dress from my life.
“It does look stunning on, enough to distract you from the fact you’re marrying a compulsive liar…”
The York mum added: “All bad luck has been removed, as post separation the dress was cleaned. I know this because after dry cleaning I became happier and more confident realising what it was like to be treated well in a relationship.”
Her humorous approach won Jane lots of love – and has taken the story of her dress in a very different direction.
Reservations on the day
Jane’s parents and her sons with her on the big day
Jane told YorkMix she bought the dress from Curvy Bridal – “after several gowns this was the one for me”.
She had lost her mum and dad in the space of six months prior to her big day, so the theme was lilac – a favourite of both her parents.
“We even had them there on the day in a frame – it was emotional but healing for me,” she said.
Her two sons were by her side – one gave her away – and her stepdaughter was her flower girl.
She described the wedding at The Pavilion in Fulford as fantastic – but added: “To say I had reservations on the day wouldn’t be a lie, but also having got this far didn’t leave an option to back out.”
Phenomenal reaction
Jane and her husband were together for four years but married for only five months. Among the reasons for the breakdown of the relationship were “lies, alcohol and drugs”.
Then she had the idea for her unusual Facebook post – selling the £800 dress for a bargain £150 with the humour thrown in. “I thought, why not make something from a difficult situation?”
You don’t even need to be getting married to buy the dress – another line in her post said:
Or even standing in line to do a name change because the name you took on makes you feel nauseous and filled with more regret than a one night stand you hand back in 2007!
“The reaction has been phenomenal,” Jane told us. “People have given me so much support wishing me well in my future life.
“I guess it doesn’t take much for people to realise that whilst it may be funny, underneath was heartache – but what a reaction!”
Charity appeal
Now Jane has had another idea. She said there are women “who make gowns for babies who are born sleeping – in other words stillborn”.
And her dress is going to go to this group to make gowns for the babies.
Meanwhile, she has launched a crowdfunding appeal on JustGiving to raise £200.
“The money raised is to help these ladies overcome their loss,” Jane said – via a charity to be revealed when the total is reached.
Now she is in a new and much healthier relationship.
“My new relationship has been fantastic, although my guard is still up and will be for some time. To be emotionally and mentally put through hell isn’t an easy comeback.”
So is another wedding out of the question?
“Wedding bells are certainly not something I’m looking at for a long time,” Jane said.
“But if and when it happens it will be for all the right reasons. This time it’ll take someone special to put a ring on my finger.”
Jane has been amazing throughout this whole awful ordeal. She is very nearly at the end of this rotten journey that Borg has sent her on. Throughout her heartbreak she has acted with grace, dignity and even managed to add sparkle to her situation.
Her friends and her family are so proud of her.
Jane is such a selfless person. She’s been there for so many people in their hour of need. I believe that this is what Borg seen in her too then used it to get what he wanted. He is lower than the low and he is still doing the same thing to vulnerable women today! I was proud to stand next to Jane on the big day and even more proud to stand by her now xxxx
The man is known for what he has done to this woman and to his previous relationships, extorting money from women and using them is his trait. However this woman was just not quite like the others and hasn’t allowed him to bring her down or her to walk away without her head held high, I don’t know her personally but I have seen the destruction he causes Jane you should be proud and its fantastic the way you have handled things, Good Luck
I totally echo the above comments what this man put Jane through is a disgrace to the male population, but knowing Jane and also her ex husband it just enforces the opinion of everyone of how he was there for one thing only and that was money. Jane you should be proud of yourself and how you have turned such a misfortune caused by such a selfish man into something that is honourable and shows your strength and outlook to life. Wishing you all the best for your future life and happiness going forward. Truly deserved and well shot!
I’ve known Jane for a long while. I was her mum and dads carer and together we helped both her mum and dad right to the end. They were the most beatiful couple and i’m sure they will be laughing at Janes outlook and making something that should have been so special for Jane into a humourous advertisement to sell her wedding dress. To then raise money for such a special cause. Well done Jane i wish you all the happiness you deserve xx