Brett- The Shopper

Before going gown shopping, Brett had a perfect vision of the dress she wanted to wear walking down the aisle—a ball gown with a full skirt. But she bought the exact opposite, choosing instead this mermaid style dress that hugged her curves and fit her like a glove.

Brett had difficulty finding her perfect dress, shopping intensely 4 or 5 times over the course of a number of months, and trying on around 25 gowns. She even put a deposit down on a different dress, convincing herself that it was “the one,” even though she didn’t have that “This is it!” feeling. “If you have found the perfect dress, you will have that feeling and if you don’t, keep looking! Every bride deserves to find the perfect dress no matter how long it takes.”

The blushing bride completed her look with a lace shrug, adding an elegant touch to her modern style. She wore a silk flower hairpiece, and chose chandelier Swarovski crystal earrings and a wide crystal bracelet, perfectly complimenting her wedding style without overwhelming her petite frame. “I want my future daughter to look back and think her mom looked beautiful and timeless on her wedding day, even though it was decades before.”

Brett’s gown is a Jasmine Bridal dress, purchased from Stella’s Bridal Galleria. Photos by Rygiel Photography and Video.

Catherine- The Lace-Lover

This lovely bride-to-be had a general vision of her perfect dress, knowing that she wanted a fitted gown, but didn’t have her heart set on any specifics. Catherine went shopping about five times, and was always drawn to the look of lace. Finally, torn between two gowns in Winnipeg, she went shopping in Vancouver with her mother. The first dress Catherine tried on she fell in love with—it was a perfect combination of the two dresses she couldn’t decide between. “This was the first dress that put a huge smile on my face the second I tried it on!”

Catherine changed after dinner into a shorter dress so she could dance, and she was relieved. “My dress was a little on the heavy side because of all the lace and beading. The short dress was much easier to dance in.” 

This beautiful bride chose to compliment her dress with accessories, rather than draw attention away from the gown. Catherine wore pearl drop earrings with a black Swarovski crystal, as well as a pearl and rhinestone bracelet that coiled around her wrist. Her advice for other brides is to keep an open mind: “Try on tons of different styles and let the sales consultants make suggestions. They see different body types all day! One of the nicest dresses I tried on, I hated on the hanger, but the sales consultant got me to try it on and I loved it!”

Catherine’s Private Label by G dress, and more of the collection, is available in Winnipeg at LA Collection, Stella’s Bridal Galleria, and Helene’s Bridal. Photos by Manuel F. Sousa Photography.

Tamara- The Educated Buyer

Tamara used to work in a bridal salon, and is very knowledgeable about fit, style, and fabrics. She learned quickly that she wanted a Pronovias gown, and a dress that was different from other brides. She focused on finding a dress in which beauty was found in fabric and design rather than beading, and something that would fit her petite, 5’0” frame. The bride found her dress at the flagship Pronovias store in Barcelona, but was overwhelmed with the choices there. She didn’t end up in the strapless, fitted style she expected, but chose her dress because it perfectly fit her inspiration for the wedding. “And I knew this would be the dress that my mom would love!”

When it came to accessorizing, the bride’s goal was to have a “look,” and not one standout piece. Tamara always planned to wear flowers in her hair, but fell in love with a birdcage veil with a silk flower attached to it that she saw in a magazine. She found a custom veil designer, and together they re-created Tamara’s vision for a veil that complimented her dress and fulfilled her desire to look different. The gown’s embellished straps did not allow for much jewellery, so the bride chose antique-looking drop earrings and a beaded cuff. 

Tamara loved her dress, but falls in love with different gowns whenever she sees new styles— “I will probably always feel that way, so I would love to have an opportunity to wear another gorgeous bridal gown.” When she and her husband renew their vows on their 5th anniversary, she plans to wear another dress that is more unique and different than her wedding dress. The educated dress shopper has great advice: “If you are going to be happy with your dress and your look, then you need to please yourself. If you choose your look based on who you are and not focusing on what others want you to look like, then you will end up loving your bridal look.”

Tamara’s Pronovias dress was purchased in Spain, but you can find the 2010 Pronovias Collection’s updated style of the gown at Stella’s Bridal Galleria. Photos by Joel Ross Photography.

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