I always thought the Japanese custom of folding paper into 1,000 origami cranes to bless a marriage sounded like a lot of work.

But for the last few years in another wedding-related use of paper, the folks at Cheap Chic Weddings and Charmin have teamed up to challenge creative folks to design entire wedding gowns made of toilet paper. Talk about a lot of work. But the results can be pretty amazing.

In this year’s ninth annual competition, the top prize of $2,000 went to Mimoza Haska, a designer and hairstylist in Surfside Beach, S.C., for the dress she dubbed “Beautiful Swan.” It features a high-low skirt, bustier, lilies and a crown headpiece.

The dress took 16 rolls of Charmin Ultra Soft tissue, plus Glitter Glue, glow-in-the-dark glue, Elmer’s Glue, paper tape, needle and thread.


Haska beat out two-time (2011 and 2012) winner Susan Brennan of Orchard Lake, Mich. This time Brennan, who is a professional cheerleader for the Detroit Pistons, took second place, using 11 rolls of Charmin Ultra Soft, plus packing tape, Scotch Tape, hot glue and a needle and thread to create the gown she calls “City in Bloom.” The dress features a halter top and removable skirt, so it can convert to a short party dress.

Boutique owner Carol Touchstone of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., came in third with a dress called “Coastal Wave” that was inspired by the ocean. The dress is supported by a hoop and features asymmetrical pleats and appliques. Touchstone used 30 rolls of various types of Charmin, Modge Podge glue, Scotch Tape, clear packing tape, double-sided tape, white glue and needle and thread.

All three women showed you really can make something from almost nothing -- if you’re willing to put in the thought and effort.

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