Just weeks after her June 2012 wedding, 30-year-old Maria Pantazopoulos tragically drowned during a “trash the dress” photo shoot in Quebec, Canada. The trend, which involves brides creatively destroying their gowns for dramatic photos, took a fatal turn.

Maria, excited to capture unique post-wedding shots, hired photographer Louis Pagakis. They headed to the Ouareau River near Dorwin Falls, where she planned to soak her dress in the water. But the heavy gown quickly became waterlogged and dragged her under.

“She said, ‘Take some pictures while I swim a little,’” Pagakis recalled. “Her dress got heavy… I tried everything I could to save her.” He managed to reach her, but the weight of the dress made rescue impossible.

Maria’s final words were, “I can’t anymore, it’s too heavy.” Her body was recovered hours later. Her devastated family said she would have never knowingly taken such a risk and urged local officials to improve safety measures at similar sites to prevent future tragedies.