Question: Wedding Dress Guide in Toronto

Q: "Where are the best wedding dress shops in Toronto?"
A: I get this question all the time and with wedding season quickly approaching, I thought I should post it on my blog! Of course, there are tons of bridal shops in Toronto. I'm sure there are great ones I have missed, but most of my picks are from visiting these shops a few times and noting service, quality and value. I've also noted the approximate prices i've seen. Feel free to contribute any thoughts.

For the Couture Budget...
Many times I get asked, "Why are there $500 dresses and $5000 dresses?" The answer is in the materials and craftmanship. While a bride could easily blow a whole entire wedding budget's worth on a dress, set your budget and stick with it.

Vera Wang 38 Avenue Road, Toronto, ON (Approx $2500 - $20,000)
If you want to be surrounded by the most professional experienced service and gorgeous gowns, you must go to Vera Wang. The dresses here have clean lines, elegant silhouettes and are fashioned from the most luxurious light fabrics. When I purchased my wedding dress from them, I received nothing but the best service. Though this store doesn't have the selection as other Vera Wang stores I've been to (New York and London), they went out of their way to fly in a dress for me to try on.

White Toronto 19 Hazelton Avenue, Toronto, ON (Approx $2500 - $15,000)
White Toronto is another one of my favourite places. There is a silhouette and dress style for bride looking for a designer dress. Run by a former stylist, the boutique carries a gorgeous selection of Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera, Lela Rose, Monique Lhuillier, Anne Barge and other high end designers. I also love their selection of accessories and shoes. Of course, with that price tag, you should receive the best service, and they get an A+ for their no-pressure, cheerful yet professional approach.

Ines Di Santo 168 Davenport Road, Toronto, ON (Approx $5000 - $20,000)
If you love ornate, hand-beaded and embroidered ball gowns, this is definitely the store for you. Ines is famous for her trademark luxurious silk duchess gowns (which are also insanely heavy!), and her bridal salon in Yorkville makes you feel like you've walked into an empress's closet. The service is on the cool side, but worth a visit if this is what you're looking for.

Justina McCaffrey 112 Cumberland Street, Toronto, ON (Approx $2000 - $9000)
Justina is usually known for her sweeping ballgowns but at a recent sample sale I attended with a friend, I noticed she had some great streamlined lace dresses. The service staff is courteous and professional.

Partina Atelier
If you're looking for a custom made gown with couture quality sewing, go to Tina Cho at Partina Atelier. Stay tuned for our very first designer interview with Tina coming up on Celebrate Beautifully!

For Mid-High End Budgets...
Dina Alonzi Bridal 3020 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON (Approx $2000 +)
A long time Toronto bridal shop, Dina Alonzi carries Amsale, Rivini, Badgely Mischka, and Kenneth Pool. Again, the service was on the cool side, but they've got a mid to high end selection that is worth taking a look at.

Pearl Bridal House 76 Lakeshore Rd East, Mississauga, ON (Approx $1500 - $3000)
I first discovered this boutique because I was looking for the Melissa Sweet collection in the GTA. They also carry Amsale, Kenneth Pool, and Christos.

For Lower - Mid Budgets...
Bridal & Beyond 100 Vanderhoof Avenue, Toronto, ON (Approx $800-$2500)
If you're looking for selection, this is the place to go. They also carry a wide range of favours, accessories and bridesmaid dresses. The staff was helpful but at some points we were pulling our own dresses. However, in terms of value, it's definitely worth a visit. They carry Provonias, Alfred Sung, Dessy, and Paloma Blanca.

Superior Bridal 7703 Kennedy Road, Markham, ON
Though i've never been, i've heard good things about this store and its deceptively huge selection. I've also heard from a few friends that they found the dresses they wanted there, and was charged less than they would have at other places. Definitely worth a visit!

Show Love in the Details...

On my second day off this week, I decided to the Celebrate Beautifully email and was completely blown away by the amount of emails, requests and wonderful compliments. I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who's reading my blog. I am completely flattered and I promise to try to keep posting! Actually when I first started this blog, the intent was to show the step by step process of planning my own wedding.
Turns out I didn't have the time to do that, so here is one DIY project I did to make up for it!
Project: Seating Card & Response Card Display
To make the seating card display, I made a base out of white foam, and wove together faux grass, leaving space for the Response Card display.

I hot glued cream ranunculus blossoms (a flower echoed in our bouquets) and green leaves to hide the foam base. Then I hot glued each seating card (with their name and table number*) onto bamboo stakes and stuck them in the base.

*hint: Pre-print all the names, but dont write in the table numbers until 1 week prior in case of last minute changes.

Our florist provided this gorgeous manzanita tree and we hung all the response cards of the guests. We printed a banner that said "Thank You for Saying Yes!" for the base of the tree which was nestled in a bed of pink roses. It was a great way to welcome our guests to our wedding!

Color Themes- Deep Purple

This post is dedicated to my dear friend Ada, whose logo I designed above. She's always loved the color purple, and decided on a deep blue-purple. Even though she has already picked her bridesmaid dresses, I thought I would have some fun matching dresses with bouquets.
I love the feminine ruffle on this neckline with this sleek silhouette. I thought I would pair this with a small simple bouquet of snowberries (Dress by JCrew, Bouquet by Martha Stewart). Though this dress has more of a navy tone, I thought this would show how beautifully you can pair a deeper toned dress with a lighter shade bouquet. The bouquet was crafted with vanda orchids, parrot tulips and striped garden roses, tied with a deep purple satin ribbon. (Dress by JCrew, Bouquet from Martha Stewart)

This dress is also more of a navy tone, but I loved the texture of the skirt created by fan shaped ruffles. I also love this fresh bouquet of deep royal purple calla lilies with the exposed stems, which picks up the dark tones of the dress but holds its own with its deeper pink tones. (Dress by Laundry by Shelli Segal, Available through Saks Fifth Avenue, bouquet by Martha Stewart).

Suzanne Perron Gowns

I wanted to feature the beautiful designs of New Orleans designer Suzanne Perron because I was struck by the incredible couture quality and detail that sets her designs apart. The designer once worked for Vera Wang, and has helped dressed celebrities and southern belles alike.

Congrats Christina & Joe!

I know it's been a long time but I wanted to feature the flowers of my sister in law's wedding two weeks ago. The very talented florist from Convallaria Floral Design were behind these lush flowers. Hopefully I can get a photo of the head table to post soon because it was gorgeous!

Tinted large peonies picked up the colour of the bridesmaid dresses (see my post) without being too matchy.

The florist tinted phalaenopsis orchids to create an unusual blush colour, mixed with hydrangeas. The stems were covered by cream ribbon secured with mother of pearl buttons.

I love this fall boutonniere with two acorns and spiky leaves.

Upcoming Trunk Shows

Hi Everyone
I know it's been a while, but just wanted to let you know about two trunk shows coming up. One is at Justina McCaffrey Bridal, who is known for her full silk ballgowns:

TORONTO BOUTIQUE
Saturday & Sunday October 31st & November 1st
10 AM to 5 PM Both Days
114 Cumberland St. Suite 200, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
T: (416) 928-1334 torontoretail@mccaffreyhautecouture.com

OTTAWA BOUTIQUE
Saturday & Sunday November 14th&15th
10AM to 5PM both days
465 Sussex Dr. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
T: (613) 789-4336 ottawaretail@mccaffreyhautecouture.com

The other is at one of my favourite boutiques, White Toronto, who will be presenting a Rivini Bridal trunk show and personal appearance.

Bridal Shower Ideas

I know it's been a long time since I last posted but i've been busy with our house. I just thought i'd quickly post up two of my favourite ideas from my sister in law's bridal shower the other week! Photos by Jenny Chung
Favours were these cute little apples with handmade tags.

A classic idea of writing encouragement notes to the bride to be is so cute presented on a tray using colourful notecards and envelopes.

Question: Classy Bachelorette Party Ideas?

Stephanie asks:
Q: "I have to throw my friend a bachelorette party but she doesn't want to do anything raunchy. Do you have any ideas for a "classy" a bachelorette party?
A: When I got married, I begged my friends not to throw me a bachelorette that involved a drunken night involving male body parts. Just because it's supposedly tradition to hire a stripper, it doesn't mean you have to force yourself to do something that's just not you. Here are some ideas that are more mellow, but still fun.

Cocktails & Beauty Party
Some spas offer private parties, where you can enjoy cocktails or champagne over manicures, pedicures and music. Just be sure someone has taken care of the special events liquor license if needed.

Wine & Cheese
Plan a nice wine and cheese at someone's home or at a nice restaurant or bar. There are lots of great wine bars out there, that would offer the chance to mingle and have fun. Or take the celebration it to a local winery for a change of scenery.

Trip with the Girlfriends
Plan a fun trip somewhere with just your girlfriends. You could go anywhere from exotic to taking a road trip somewhere local, like the cottage or a spa in the country, or a bakery in another city.

"Last Chance" Scavenger
Have the bride come up with a list of the things she's never done that she'd like to do before she gets married. Some ideas: play a sport at midnight, eat a cuisine she's never tried, go horseback riding, stay up to see the sunset, go on a local tourist bus, etc.

Best Makeup for Weddings & Special Occasions

Ever since my cousin curled my hair with a curling iron when I was a kid, I've always been fascinated with the art of makeup and hair. When I was in high school, I started doing makeup and hair for proms and eventually did stage plays and a few weddings. Though i'm not a professional makeup artist (it really is more of a hobby), I've always been on the quest to find the best products. Here are my picks for the best makeup for weddings and special occasions:

Best Foundation

MAC Studio Sculpt SPF 15

This gel based formula blends effortlessly with your skin for great coverage minus the cakey or dry feeling you get with other foundations.

Best Concealer

NARS Concealer

I really have tried almost every concealer under the sun and I find this formula the best to work with. It's pretty resilient to creases, stays well on pimples & bumps, and works well on most skin tones (some concealers I find too pink).Best Pressed Powder
Stila Illuminating Powder Foundation

To finish off, I like to use a big brush with this foundation to set the makeup (although most people like to use transluscent powder). It has a nice fine texture and small reflecting minerals.

Best Blush for All Skin Tones

NARS "Orgasm" Colour

I've been using this blush for years and it is the most flattering ever. It has gold undertones and a peachy colour that gives you a natural flush. It's also great for every day as an instant pick-me-up. (Shown below in the Bridal Palette)

Best Bronzer

Bobbi Brown Shimmerbrick

Generally, I wouldnt necessarily go "bronze" for your wedding, but it's nice to take a big huge brush, and lightly highlight your face for the slightly sunkissed look. This is a great product for other special occasions and every day too.

Best No-Smudge Eyeliner

Chanel Automatic Eyeliner- Ecriture de Chanel

My cousin, who jets all over Asia for L'Oreal, introduced me to this while she worked for Chanel. For some reason i'm prone to racoon eyes from liner, but this stuff does not budge! It's amazing! The only thing is that you dont get a whole lot for the price tag.

Best Waterproof Mascara

Maybelline Waterproof Great Lash

This is a really tried and true formula, which really is waterproof (very essential for the wedding day!)

Best Eyeshadow for Weddings

Bobbi Brown Eyeshadows

They blend really well, and I think their color palette is the most sophisticated and elegant, which is ideal for weddings.

Best Lipgloss

Bobbi Brown

This is really the BEST for staying power. I really love how it's a thick formula without being dry on your lips or too shiny. Perfect for the big day!

Best Lipstick

Laura Mercier

I really hate the feeling of dry lipstick, so when I use this on people they really love it because it leaves your lips feeling so soft. Plus the colours are very bridal appropriate.

Oooh la la Cadeau

I just stumbled upon this amazing site that sends these gorgeous wrapped gifts, called Oooh la la Cadeau. I LOVE how they are so personalized and luxurious looking. This would make a great gift idea, for friends and family that have helped out at your wedding, but anyone would be lucky to receive one of these.
Cutest baby giraffe gift.Baby gift "year of firsts"

For the gourmet in your life.

I think this is my favourite one- I love the colours!

How cute is this? It's for a Bridge lover.