Brentwood woman a finalist in toilet paper wedding dress contest

There are many ways to advertise toilet paper, but seldom is it heard that toilet paper is the most wearable material. It is true, though, at least according to Donna Pope Vincler of Brentwood, who for the second year running has entered a contest for the best designed wedding mermaid prom dresses made out of Charmin toilet paper. Vincler, 60, entered the Cheap Chic Weddings Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Contest after she saw a Facebook post about the contest, which requires a dress to be designed only from Charmin toilet paper, glue, tape, and needle and thread. “The contest contained all the elements I love,” Vincler said. “Design, creativity, sewing, crafting and a good challenge: working with toilet paper. I am the type of person who loves a good project.” She won the contest her first time with a design she called “unusual,” a tuxedo-themed dress, including a top hat. Vincler was excited by the outcome and was ready to try it again this year, but with a completely opposite flare. “I wanted it to be very feminine and romantic with a touch of color,” Vincler said. “So, I designed a sea-inspired wedding dress that would appeal to those destination wedding brides.” It is versatile, with a long, formal skirt that can be detached in favor of a short, cocktail-length dress. Vincler, who owns Kinderdance of Tennessee, a dance and fitness company serving preschool-age children, worked on the dress for about three months, between family and work obligations. She used 23 rolls of Charmin, 19 ultra-strong rolls and four basic. The Top 10 contestants, narrowed down from more than 1,500, will take part in the finale Thursday at New York City’s Sanctuary Hotel. Judges of the contest include members of Cheap Chic Weddings, Charmin, Edward Meyer of Ripley’s Believe It or Not, The Sanctuary’s Hank Freid and celebrity guest judge Michael Russo, a well-known celebrity event planner. A model wears a headpiece created by Donna Pope Vincler, a Brentwood woman seeking to repeat as the winner of a toilet paper wedding dress contest. (Photo: Blythe Thomas) Fans will be able to vote for their favorite and watch the contest at Cheap-Chic-Weddings.com. If Vincler wins the top prize again, she will pocket $10,000, but regardless, she will see another treat. Her daughter, Aubrey Swander, a Belmont University graduate who now lives in Los Angeles, will model the dress at the contest. As for the dress itself, Vincler believes it will stand the test of time, and dry weather. “I have no doubt the mermaid style prom dresses will stay together for the final fashion show and do very well for years to come,” she said, “if it never sees rain.”