Canadian Bride Drowns in River During “Trash the Dress” Photo Shoot Gone Wrong

A tragic post-wedding photo shoot turned fatal for a Canadian bride when her water-soaked wedding gown pulled her beneath the surface of a Quebec river, raising serious concerns about the safety of the growing “trash the dress” trend.

A Symbolic Shoot Turns Fatal

Maria Pantazopoulos, a 30-year-old real estate agent from Montreal, had been married just two months when she scheduled a daring photoshoot to say goodbye to her bridal gown. Inspired by the viral “trash the dress” trend, she waded into the fast-moving Ouareau River, about 46 miles northeast of Montreal, to pose for symbolic photos.

The idea was simple but visually dramatic: brides wear their wedding gowns in unconventional or rugged environments — from muddy fields to flowing rivers — symbolizing the emotional transition from bride to wife. In Maria’s case, the shoot was intended to mark the joyful end of her wedding chapter.

But what began as a celebration quickly turned into a tragedy.

The Dress That Became an Anchor

Photographer Louis Pagakis was documenting the shoot when disaster struck. As Maria stepped deeper into the river, her gown began to absorb water rapidly, becoming heavier with every second.

“She had her wedding dress on and she said, ‘take some pictures of me while I swim a little bit in the lake.’ She went in and her dress got heavy,” Pagakis told CTV News. “I tried everything I could to save her.”

Despite knowing how to swim, Maria was overpowered by the weight of her gown. The petite bride was pulled into a deep section of the river, nearly 26 feet underwater, as Pagakis jumped in to try and help.

“I was screaming and yelling, we tried our best,” he recalled, devastated.

Her Final Words: “I Can’t Anymore”

Pagakis’ wife, Anouk Benzacar, later told the Toronto Sun that Maria was in visible distress as she struggled against the current.

“She was screaming and scratching, trying to stay above water,” Benzacar said. “Louis tried to swim with her, but she was pulling him down. She was too heavy.”

“I can’t anymore, it’s too heavy,”

were Maria’s heartbreaking final words before slipping beneath the surface. Despite brave attempts by two police officers who dove into the river to rescue her, Maria was gone. Her body was recovered later that evening.

Reigniting the “Trash the Dress” Debate

Maria’s death has reignited scrutiny over the “trash the dress” movement, especially when water is involved. Though visually compelling, these shoots can pose unseen dangers — particularly when dresses become saturated and act like anchors.

Photographer and blogger Rhiannon D’Averc has spoken out against water-based shoots involving bridal gowns:

“Even if you are not wearing a voluminous wedding dress, water can be a dangerous environment. Currents can be deceptively strong and fast,”

she warned in a 2022 blog post.

“Don’t underestimate the power of a rushing current, even in relatively shallow water.”

A Cautionary Tale That Shouldn’t Be Ignored

What was meant to be an artistic tribute to love ended in an unimaginable tragedy. Maria’s story is now a haunting reminder of how viral trends can turn deadly when safety is overlooked.