Rowena G.: Strength in Red

Rowena G.: Strength in Red

Mother of: Kara
Venue: The Royal Ambassador in Caledon, Ontario
Vibe: Formal
Dress: Frascara, from Madeline’s Boutique in Toronto

Nothing puts the pressure of finding a mother of the bride dress in perspective like a cancer battle. 

Madeline’s was the first and only boutique I went to in the interest of time,” says Rowena, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in late 2024—months before her daughter Kara’s July 5 wedding. Rowena had her first surgery in January and a second surgery in March. She was able to visit Madeline’s special occasion shop in Toronto in February. 

“I explained my circumstances and we were able to immediately narrow down the choice. It took away the stress of gown shopping and I was able to focus instead on my health and well being.”

Kara gave her mom carte blanche in choosing a dress. “She said she just wanted me to be happy on her wedding day,” Rowena recalls. “I honestly had no specific style or color in mind when we went to the appointment. It was simply a luck of the draw when I spotted the gown on the rack and decided to try it on.”

The sample on the rack was lilac—a one shoulder jersey gown with dramatic 3D floral appliqué on the bodice and one sleeve. The dress by Frascara was available in several colors—Rowena gravitated to red. “It resonated with me as a symbol of love, joy, strength and courage.”

The wedding reception took place at the Royal Ambassador, with its dramatic neo-classical architecture, rolling hills and manicured gardens on the edge of a lake just outside Toronto. 

“My daughter and her spouse (Daniel) constantly looped me in, asked for my opinion, and shared with me the majority of the decision making,” Rowena recalls fondly of the experience. “My advice for other moms is to simply enjoy the ride, lend support when asked and offer a calming presence as needed in making the couple’s wedding vision come to life!”

Before the ceremony, Kara surprised her parents by presenting them with a framed favorite childhood photo with each of them. "It brought back wonderful memories, for sure!"

Then came the ceremony. Rowena recalls fondly the moment the church door opened. “Revealing my daughter in her wedding splendour. I saw my little girl, all grown up, just simply glowing—so very happy to walk down the aisle and be with her now husband in front of the altar.”

Rowena is leaning into those warm memories as she continues on a path to recovery. “I’m not quite over the hump yet,” she says, “But confident I’ll get there.” 

| Photography by Kevin Unger, Morning Light Photography

 

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