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Wedding Planning Timelines

Letters to the newly engaged bride.

Congratulations on your engagement! Such an exciting time and there can be so many questions. Not to worry, we’ve been helping brides find their wedding gowns, and have been involved in weddings for over 20 years. We’re here to answer all the questions you have – even if it isn’t related to bridal gowns!

Sinders Bridal House has been in it’s Ottawa, Ontario location since 1987 and over the years we have had the pleasure of working with so many wedding professionals. It’s common for us, once the wedding season is over, to get together, lean into our creative sides, and work on a styled shoot. This gives us the opportunity to meet new people in our industry, but it also lets us share beautiful pictures with our followers, all created from our own imaginations.

What should my first step be?

Often from talking with our brides we hear that the first step is picking your venue. This has split recently considering post-pandemic weddings have branched out to include all sorts of different venues. If you plan to use a popular venue, if you really want to get married on a peak day like a Saturday or Sunday, or if you have one specific date in mind that absolutely has to be your wedding day. Then you should expect at least a year wait before your wedding can happen and the venue will need to be the first thing you plan because that will be your main starting point.

If you’re open to alternate solutions, or always loved the idea of getting married in your own backyard, then the venue will not likely be your biggest time constraint. At this point, you already have a partially formed idea of where you plan to have your wedding so you know the vibe you’re aiming for. This means your timelines might be more restricted by which piece is more important to your wedding day – wedding photographer, florist, or entertainment. And you can move forward even with separate steps even if you don’t have an exact date booked.

Secondary first steps…

We believe that the most important pieces of your wedding day – other than you and your fiancée(e)! – are the wedding photographer and your wedding gown. After all, those are the pieces that will create your memories that you will see hanging on your walls or posted on your social media for the rest of your life. Always read reviews when choosing your wedding photographer, but even more so, look through their portfolio to make sure that they match the look you want to have in your memories. Each photographer has a certain way they capture their images and a certain colour spectrum they work within. Are you looking for crisp colourful photos? Or what about black and white? Or blown out, or editorial style, or a bigger emphasis on candids? Always do your research on the photographers in your area, find a few in your style, then make an appointment to meet them. Honestly, they want to know that you will be a match personally just as much as you do. You both want to be sure that you’re on the same page from day one, so take this one seriously and you’ll love the visual memories you come away with.

Florists have busier seasons like all wedding professionals, but they also work within the constraints of which flowers and greenery are available at any given season. If you have your heart set on a specific flower or a certain colour scheme then it’s best to get input from the experts in this field so that you can book your wedding day within the correct time frame.

Entertainment. Meaning anything from a DJ to a live band to aerialists. This can be a pivotal part of your wedding day, or something that is extremely special to you as a couple. The more particular you get the more it will impact your timeline so find out when they are available early on before booking other professionals.

How finding your wedding dress fits into the timeline you have available.

When a bride asks us about timelines the simplest answer is that we love to be able to order your gown 9-12 months ahead of your wedding day. This gives us room to breathe in the delivery process, as well as several months on the end for alterations to your wedding gown. Though that is the dream timing for us, we always have to mention that whatever timeline you have is the ideal timeline to find a gown. The shortest timeline we have ever worked with is one week. No, I’m not pulling your leg. We look at it as ‘where there’s a will, there’s a way’. Thankfully we also work with some incredible designers who have helped us out by working their magic to get a bride her gown on an impossible timeline. These are more stressful, not just for us, but for you (our bride) as well. We are nothing but grateful to the brides who place absolute trust in us in these situations. But please give as much time as you can to order your gown so that you know this vital piece is taken care of and will not be the cause of extra stress leading up to your wedding.

In the end, the best place to start is the part of your wedding that is the most important to you. Take some time to picture what you want your day to look like. Picture you in your gown, your groom in his suit, or your bride in her gown/suit. Picture your surroundings, and picture the overall plan of what you and your guests will do throughout the day or evening. Then discuss with your partner which aspects are the most important for both of you. From there you’ll have a short list of things to focus on – a starting point.

Good luck and remember. If you have questions or are looking for suggestions we love to help! It’s an honour for us to be involved in your wedding day and we love to share our knowledge and experience with our brides!

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Dress Shopping News

Why Peterborough?

Why Peterborough?

Since finalizing our decision in the summer of 2022 this has been one of the most asked questions about our second shop ‘Sinders Bridal House Peterborough’. Our current followers along with the residents of Peterborough all want to know – why did we choose to open our second bridal shop in this particular town. Why was this the next place in our adventure that we would choose to help brides find their wedding dress. It’s not one simple answer so let me elaborate on a few of our personal reasons along with those based in the needs of our industry.

Our flagship store, is located just outside of Ottawa in a small town called Carleton Place. This town is our home, it’s where we grew up, and where we are currently raising our families. Believe me when I say, our shop, our business, Sinders Bridal as a whole, it is a part of our family. We honestly look at it as one of our children after having learned from it and watched it grow the way we have. While the town of Carleton Place is fairly small (growing but still small!) it has always had this beautiful hometown feel. That feel you find in a small town where the residents all know each other and we genuinely realize the benefits of living close to, but just outside of, a city. A love for the outdoors that you can’t explain but you know you’re lucky to have waterways and walking paths everywhere you look. A long explanation to say that this was one of the biggest deciding factors. The town of Peterborough is obviously much larger, but they have managed to keep the similar feel of a small town. In the downtown core on George Street North where Sinders Bridal House Peterborough has made it’s home we’ve been so warmly welcomed by our neighbours. We’re surrounded by some incredible restaurants and coffee shops, and it’s incredible when we go into their shop how much they’ve been following our progress when renovating and how we’re doing now that we’re open.

Book Your Appointment at Peterborough

If you haven’t seen our building, or if you’re not following on social media yet (you should!) then you might not know we have a slight obsession with antique buildings. Our flagship shop has always and will always be in a Victorian home, complete with beautiful heritage features. Major plus is the privacy this gives each of our brides since every single bride has her own change room and her own viewing room. Complete privacy even on a busy day. These were extremely important factors for us to find in a second building because to us it’s a part of who we are, the quirks of the building and the love of a private experience. It took time, almost a year before we felt we were ready and had found the right location. But come on – amazing heritage building, more windows than walls, bright, welcoming, beautiful. It took some work because it didn’t come with the privacy we wanted, but we’re nothing if not committed to a vision! Build some walls, lots of paint, and help from a local window washer, we couldn’t be more proud of our second home.

Now, I have to admit, I had a previous bias. Having the town feel a bit like home was one of the reasons I chose to attend Sir Sanford Fleming College Peterborough campus many years ago. I wasn’t one to leave home easily so that similarity put me at ease for my first move into the real world of college and semi-adult life. Many years later as a business owner considering a second location, familiarity had a lot to do with the end result from a personal perspective. From a business perspective… the proximity to the Greater Toronto Area, the pandemic creating growth in smaller towns, a warm welcome from a current bridal shop who wanted to retire. It’s like the answer was staring us in the face. Not to say it was easy, rarely are business decisions ‘easy’ but wait for those click moments where everything seems to fit into place and it’s like you were working toward this all along, you just didn’t now it yet.

Remember when I mentioned the amount of learning we’ve done since entering the business world? I like to think it gave us a great understanding of what would help Sinders Bridal House Peterborough become a huge success. We never hide the fact that our entire goal is to reach as many brides as possible, to create beauty and love, and most of all body positivity. We could not be happier to have the opportunity to give our kind of service – the Sinders Experience – to brides in the Peterborough area. And the feedback we’ve had from our brides so far has been incredible to hear.

We hope to see you soon, and if you aren’t looking for a wedding gown of your own make sure you pass along our name to someone who is!

Why Peterborough?

Since finalizing our decision in the summer of 2022 this has been one of the most asked questions about our second shop ‘Sinders Bridal House Peterborough’. Our current followers along with the residents of Peterborough all want to know – why did we choose to open our second bridal shop in this particular town. Why was this the next place in our adventure that we would choose to help brides find their wedding dress. It’s not one simple answer so let me elaborate on a few of our personal reasons along with those based in the needs of our industry.

Our flagship store, is located just outside of Ottawa in a small town called Carleton Place. This town is our home, it’s where we grew up, and where we are currently raising our families. Believe me when I say, our shop, our business, Sinders Bridal as a whole, it is a part of our family. We honestly look at it as one of our children after having learned from it and watched it grow the way we have. While the town of Carleton Place is fairly small (growing but still small!) it has always had this beautiful hometown feel. That feel you find in a small town where the residents all know each other and we genuinely realize the benefits of living close to, but just outside of, a city. A love for the outdoors that you can’t explain but you know you’re lucky to have waterways and walking paths everywhere you look. A long explanation to say that this was one of the biggest deciding factors. The town of Peterborough is obviously much larger, but they have managed to keep the similar feel of a small town. In the downtown core on George Street North where Sinders Bridal House Peterborough has made it’s home we’ve been so warmly welcomed by our neighbours. We’re surrounded by some incredible restaurants and coffee shops, and it’s incredible when we go into their shop how much they’ve been following our progress when renovating and how we’re doing now that we’re open.

If you haven’t seen our building, or if you’re not following on social media yet (you should!) then you might not know we have a slight obsession with antique buildings. Our flagship shop has always and will always be in a Victorian home, complete with beautiful heritage features. Major plus is the privacy this gives each of our brides since every single bride has her own change room and her own viewing room. Complete privacy even on a busy day. These were extremely important factors for us to find in a second building because to us it’s a part of who we are, the quirks of the building and the love of a private experience. It took time, almost a year before we felt we were ready and had found the right location. But come on – amazing heritage building, more windows than walls, bright, welcoming, beautiful. It took some work because it didn’t come with the privacy we wanted, but we’re nothing if not committed to a vision! Build some walls, lots of paint, and help from a local window washer, we couldn’t be more proud of our second home.

Now, I have to admit, I had a previous bias. Having the town feel a bit like home was one of the reasons I chose to attend Sir Sanford Fleming College Peterborough campus many years ago. I wasn’t one to leave home easily so that similarity put me at ease for my first move into the real world of college and semi-adult life. Many years later as a business owner considering a second location, familiarity had a lot to do with the end result from a personal perspective. From a business perspective… the proximity to the Greater Toronto Area, the pandemic creating growth in smaller towns, a warm welcome from a current bridal shop who wanted to retire. It’s like the answer was staring us in the face. Not to say it was easy, rarely are business decisions ‘easy’ but wait for those click moments where everything seems to fit into place and it’s like you were working toward this all along, you just didn’t now it yet.

Remember when I mentioned the amount of learning we’ve done since entering the business world? I like to think it gave us a great understanding of what would help Sinders Bridal House Peterborough become a huge success. We never hide the fact that our entire goal is to reach as many brides as possible, to create beauty and love, and most of all body positivity. We could not be happier to have the opportunity to give our kind of service – the Sinders Experience – to brides in the Peterborough area. And the feedback we’ve had from our brides so far has been incredible to hear.

We hope to see you soon, and if you aren’t looking for a wedding gown of your own make sure you pass along our name to someone who is!

Why Peterborough?

Since finalizing our decision in the summer of 2022 this has been one of the most asked questions about our second shop ‘Sinders Bridal House Peterborough’. Our current followers along with the residents of Peterborough all want to know – why did we choose to open our second bridal shop in this particular town. Why was this the next place in our adventure that we would choose to help brides find their wedding dress. It’s not one simple answer so let me elaborate on a few of our personal reasons along with those based in the needs of our industry.

Our flagship store, is located just outside of Ottawa in a small town called Carleton Place. This town is our home, it’s where we grew up, and where we are currently raising our families. Believe me when I say, our shop, our business, Sinders Bridal as a whole, it is a part of our family. We honestly look at it as one of our children after having learned from it and watched it grow the way we have. While the town of Carleton Place is fairly small (growing but still small!) it has always had this beautiful hometown feel. That feel you find in a small town where the residents all know each other and we genuinely realize the benefits of living close to, but just outside of, a city. A love for the outdoors that you can’t explain but you know you’re lucky to have waterways and walking paths everywhere you look. A long explanation to say that this was one of the biggest deciding factors. The town of Peterborough is obviously much larger, but they have managed to keep the similar feel of a small town. In the downtown core on George Street North where Sinders Bridal House Peterborough has made it’s home we’ve been so warmly welcomed by our neighbours. We’re surrounded by some incredible restaurants and coffee shops, and it’s incredible when we go into their shop how much they’ve been following our progress when renovating and how we’re doing now that we’re open.

Book Your Appointment at Peterborough

If you haven’t seen our building, or if you’re not following on social media yet (you should!) then you might not know we have a slight obsession with antique buildings. Our flagship shop has always and will always be in a Victorian home, complete with beautiful heritage features. Major plus is the privacy this gives each of our brides since every single bride has her own change room and her own viewing room. Complete privacy even on a busy day. These were extremely important factors for us to find in a second building because to us it’s a part of who we are, the quirks of the building and the love of a private experience. It took time, almost a year before we felt we were ready and had found the right location. But come on – amazing heritage building, more windows than walls, bright, welcoming, beautiful. It took some work because it didn’t come with the privacy we wanted, but we’re nothing if not committed to a vision! Build some walls, lots of paint, and help from a local window washer, we couldn’t be more proud of our second home.

 

Now, I have to admit, I had a previous bias. Having the town feel a bit like home was one of the reasons I chose to attend Sir Sanford Fleming College Peterborough campus many years ago. I wasn’t one to leave home easily so that similarity put me at ease for my first move into the real world of college and semi-adult life. Many years later as a business owner considering a second location, familiarity had a lot to do with the end result from a personal perspective. From a business perspective… the proximity to the Greater Toronto Area, the pandemic creating growth in smaller towns, a warm welcome from a current bridal shop who wanted to retire. It’s like the answer was staring us in the face. Not to say it was easy, rarely are business decisions ‘easy’ but wait for those click moments where everything seems to fit into place and it’s like you were working toward this all along, you just didn’t now it yet.

 

Remember when I mentioned the amount of learning we’ve done since entering the business world? I like to think it gave us a great understanding of what would help Sinders Bridal House Peterborough become a huge success. We never hide the fact that our entire goal is to reach as many brides as possible, to create beauty and love, and most of all body positivity. We could not be happier to have the opportunity to give our kind of service – the Sinders Experience – to brides in the Peterborough area. And the feedback we’ve had from our brides so far has been incredible to hear.

 

We hope to see you soon, and if you aren’t looking for a wedding gown of your own make sure you pass along our name to someone who is!

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Dress Shopping Trends

Celebrity Wedding Dresses vs Sinders Bridal: Who wore it better?

Following the recent wedding of Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton, we couldn’t help but serve up a segment of “Who wore it better?” Celebrity Wedding Dresses vs Sinders Bridal edition! 

Have you ever looked in the tabloids, spotted a gorgeous wedding dress and thought to yourself “where in the world can I find one for myself?!”. 

Don’t worry, you’re not alone! 

Whether you’re looking for that simple A-Line, an extravagant train or all out sparkle – we can have you twinning with any celebrity!

Stefani just recently tied the knot to Shelton on July 3rd, featuring a custom silk gown with a beautiful plunging neckline and tulle skirt designed by the one and only Vera Wang.

We took a deep dive into the vault to find these 7 beautiful celebrity wedding dresses worn by some of our favourite celebrities:

Before further ado, let’s get down to business!

Hailey Bieber 

 

Okay. We all love a good off-the-shoulder moment (am I right?). So, can we take a second to appreciate Hailey Bieber in her custom mermaid lace gown designed by Virgil Abloh, creative director of Off-White? This dress was nothing short of stunning, featuring a sweetheart neckline and beautiful lace long sleeves.

Our Sinders Bridal swap for this showstopper? Henrietta.

It might not have those delicate lace sleeves or signature Abloh beading, but this beaded Calla Blanche bestseller features the same body hugging silhouette that will be sure to make you shine on your wedding day. Plus, Henrietta’s elegant beaded lace comes with optional sheer sleeve details that make it a perfect swap to Hailey Bieber (née Baldwin)’s custom gown!

 

Sofía Vergara

This might not have been the only dress Sofía Vergara wore on her luxurious wedding weekend; she actually chose a number of beautiful dresses throughout her weekend nuptials. However, her custom Zuhair Murad Couture gown was certainly the star of the show in our books! The Modern Family star married Joe Manganiello in 2015 with her lush fitted gown with Baroque-embroidered removable overskirt. This extravagant gown was grandiose while still providing the perfect compliment to Vergara’s figure.

This was a tough one but for Sofía Vergara, Sinders Bridal chose Essense of Australia D3044 with a stunning overskirt option to match. 

This Essense piece is a floral fit and flare, providing you that body hugging shape to feature your silhouette while the pairing overskirt assists with the glamour and extravagance a ballgown can provide. Featuring a modern strapless sweetheart neckline that feeds into a delicate plunge and lace appliqué, D3044 with the complimentary Essense of Australia overskirt will be the star of any show.

 

Ariana Grande 

Next up on our list of celebrity dress dreams, none other than Ariana Grande herself. Wearing an elegant and sophisticated Vera Wang, Ariana turned heads with an empire waist and plunging back line. Who said less can’t be more!? Paired with a shoulder length veil and a beautiful satin bow detail, it’s the perfect addition to the gown.

What is Sinders Bridal match for this? La Perle’s Gwen (LP 2018).

Just like Ariana, this soft ivory satin gown features a glam cowl neck and brilliant low back that is certainly a gorgeous moment. Not quite enough ‘oomph’ for you? Consider pairing this with a feature back necklace to elevate the look. We also matched Gwen with a shoulder length veil featuring delicate rhinestone appliques.

Gorgeous.

 

Debby Ryan 

Any other Disney Channel fans out there? Well, if there are then you may have already drooled over Debby Ryan in her Elie Saab ballgown. We certainly don’t blame you. Featuring an elegant off-the-shoulder boat neckline with a matching luxuriously long train, this 2019 spring collection was nothing short of beauty.

What is Sinders Bridal’s competition for this? Let us introduce you to Tesoro Viola.

This one of a kind ballgown, from designer Tesoro, offers a sweetheart neckline with a lavish Mikado that provides that similar jaw-dropping train for any bride looking for that beautiful princess feeling for their wedding day. We chose to pair Viola with a custom off-the-shoulder piece to give you the same stunning straps as Debby Ryan.

It’s certainly a win in our books!

 

Kate Middleton 

Calling all my royal family fans out there – I mean, who can forget the royal wedding of 2011? Even now, a decade later, we still can’t get over Kate Middleton’s designer Sarah Burton wedding dress. Middleton featured a nearly 9-foot train, V-neckline and luxurious long lace sleeves which moved flawlessly into the handmade lace bodice of the Victorian inspired gown. We can’t forget to mention the stunning Cartier halo tiara, borrowed by none other than Queen Elizabeth herself.

Sinders Bridal chose to compare this piece of royalty to White One’s Bradbury.

Everyone deserves to feel like a princess at least once in their life, am I right? If this is something you are looking for, consider this elegant Mikado princess cut dress. Matched with a beautiful V-neckline and those luxurious lace sleeves, Bradbury is an excellent choice for any bride looking for a bit more coverage on their wedding day.

 

Meghan Markle

Another royal family feature, but we couldn’t leave out this one. Anybody else in love with Meghan Markle’s second stunning wedding gown? Just hours after walking the aisle in her custom Givenchy gown, Markle submerged in this beautiful silk crepe high-neck gown designed by Stella McCartney. If you ask us, this was the perfect match of sophistication and romance.

The Sinders Bridal swap out for this? Hello Christina Wu 293#43.

This Christina Wu swap will provide the same fit-and-flare silhouette, with a halter neckline and natural waistband to allow a beautiful flow over your body. Much like the Stella McCartney, the smooth crepe of this dress is an elegant and romantic dress for any vision!

Serena Williams 

Tennis superstar Serena Williams finds herself as our final Sinders Bridal swap choice. She tied the knot with Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian in November 2017, choosing none other than Sarah Burton for her Alexander McQueen ballgown. The gown featured a dramatic strapless neckline and cinching waistline, finished with an absolute jaw-dropping cape. Serena fell in love with this silhouette, and let us tell you so did we.

So, what did Sinders Bridal choose to swap this with? Stella York 7051 with a beautiful custom cape to match.

This clean and simple Stella York ballgown provides flattering ruching in the Mikado bust, while maintaining the classic statement silhouette. The delicate tulle bottom is both light and airy – perfect for a wedding in any season! Looking for a little bit more drama like Serena? Consider adding additional layers underneath to create a fuller skirt! We paired this Stella York with a custom made cape, featuring lace overlay and stunning rhinestone detailing for the perfect pop of drama.

I mean, how many times can you wear a cape in your life, am I right?

—-

Anyways.

This was honestly too much fun for us, but we wanted to leave you with just a few things to remember:

  1. If you’re looking to mimic an iconic look, consider customization. These celebrities have likely had hours of work put into their gowns to help create their desired vision. Consider talking through your options with your stylist.
  2. Accessories are your friend! Whether it be sleeves, a custom cape, or one-of-a-kind veil, these elements can heighten the look of any gown.
  3. When you are gown shopping – have fun with it! Focusing on a particular detail can lead you down a rabbit-hole. Remember to look at the bigger picture, and how you feel in the dress. Besides, this day is all about YOU!

How did we do? Did we miss anyone you were thinking of?

Drop us a comment on who you think did it better!

We can’t wait for our next instalment of celebrity wedding dresses.

Love,

The Sinders Team

Categories
Dress Shopping Wedding Dresses

5 things to consider when shopping for your wedding dress at Sinders Bridal

If there was ONE thing we could say that appropriately describes our feelings over opening our doors for our brides looking for their wedding dress once again… it has to be relief!

There has been so much going on here at Sinders Bridal House since we last spoke! If you are a follower of our social channels (which we hope you are ), you will know that we are thrilled to welcome you back through our doors. We can’t wait to get you back on track finding your dream wedding dress! 

Whether you are recently engaged, in the middle of your planning or are getting an early start to your dream wedding we are here for it. And for you of course!

These past few months have been some of the most unpredictable and emotional moments for us all. So many of our brides have had to postpone their special days. Our hearts continue to be with all who have been impacted, but know we are hoping that nothing but clear skies lay ahead! 

However, one thing we have been able to learn from this roller coaster is this:

Love is not cancelled. 

So, can we take a quick moment to talk about how inspiring it has been to see so many of our brides in these romantic elopements and intimate micro-weddings?

Who said smaller weddings had to be any less than perfection?! 

Certainly not us.

Anyways, before we get too far ahead of ourselves on how much we love seeing our brides get married (SURPRISE we really really love it); we wanted to let you know how things at our bridal shop may have changed since introducing new COVID-19 friendly precautions. 

So here are 5 things to consider when returning to Sinders Bridal House for your wedding dress:

1. Do your wedding dress research

Congratulations! 

You’ve made it to the first step in your wedding planning journey and that is… research. Whether this is your favourite thing to do, or the dread of your existence, research is key in understanding how your vision might best come to life.  

Have you thought about what style of wedding dress you see yourself in on your big day? Is it a sexy figure-flattering mermaid silhouette, or perhaps that statement ballgown with a hint of drama? Either way, understanding these terms opens the communication with your stylist and will be a key element in making your dress appointment run smoothly.    

If you’re having trouble getting started, or simply haven’t had a chance to look just yet – do not fret! Our team of dedicated stylists have helped hundreds of past brides find their perfect dress and are confident you can join that list! 

A great first step is to send us an email or book your appointment online!

2. Ask questions

Okay, now let’s talk about questions for a second – because everybody has them! 

Are you unsure about what wedding dress style might suit you best? Have you seen a specific dress you like online and want to know if we carry something similar? Are you hoping to confirm timelines with us so that you can keep your perfect day on track? 

Cue the Sinders team. 

Our doors might not always be open, but our entire team at Sinders are trained, passionate and enthusiastic individuals that are here as your number one resource. Picture us as your ‘bridal besties’ if you may. We LOVE helping you bring your vision to life and can promise that our team has your best intentions in mind. Because let’s face it, we want your wedding day to flow as smooth as satin ;).

Whether it be in person, over the phone, in an email or simply through our DM’s, do not fear to lean on our team for help before coming in for your appointment. Oh and if you’re looking for inspiration, check out some of our previous blogs, like ‘Expert Wedding Dress Shopping Tips’.

                                Photo by Lauren McCormick Photography

3. Consider fewer visits to the shop

Now here is a relatively new ‘thing’ since adapting to new COVID-19 precautions at our bridal shop. Much like our recommended number of guests (which we will get to in a moment), you might consider limiting the number of appointments you make at our shop. And NO, it is not that we do not want you here with us… it’s quite the contrary. 

As our doors have unfortunately been closed for a large part of this year we have a growing list of brides that, like you, are looking for their wedding dress with us at Sinders. Unfortunately, this might require longer waiting times for those desired Saturday appointment times. So, making fewer visits to the bridal shop could get your dream wedding dress into your hands sooner!  

Don’t let that worry you as we still provide our same intimate and incredible service you’ve come to know from us. Plus, if you’ve followed me along this far you will know that the first two steps might very well prepare you to find ‘the gown’ on your first try! 

4. Trim your list when shopping for your wedding dress

Okay. We know this is a hard one… but with COVID-19 restrictions, our store capacity continues to be limited. That means to best serve each bride, we ask that guests attending with you be limited to a select few individuals. While this might not be the best news you’ve heard, we wanted to highlight a few positives that trimming your guest list might mean for your upcoming wedding dress appointment. 

By trimming your list of friends and family members attending your dress appointment with you, there will be fewer voices in the room with you. This will allow for your stylist to help you focus on the emotions that matter most… the brides! Plus, it also means less stress and confusion for you!

Ultimately, your wedding dress appointment should be about you guessed it… you. Now, we don’t want you to cut out everyone! We are still able to welcome your party virtually – and are happy to discuss how this will work with you before your appointment. 

We promise we will still offer the same white carpet experience to your entire party – whether it be in-person or virtually! 

5. Trust your bridal stylist

Finally, our last piece of advice is to trust your stylist. 

Many of the women here at Sinders have been with us for over a decade! They understand exactly how to find the perfect wedding dress for your big day! We can be your cheerleader, your confidant, or your bodyguard. But most importantly… we will be your fashionista behind you the entire way. 

Not only do we know the designers like the back of our hands, we work with these wedding dresses every day! We know which dresses will give you the best support, which will hug your curves, and which will make you SHINE. 

Your wedding dress should not only embody your vision but enhance your beauty, your confidence and your style. Letting YOU be the star on your wedding day. 

—

Phew, that’s it – simple right? 

Before we go, let us leave you with one more thought. 

Sinders is here to build confidence with a single piece of clothing – so we can all create a positive impact on our future. It’s what we do. It’s why we are here. Now more than ever, our team is here to help you feel good about yourself and your future day. 

So, if you have any questions regarding how your shopping experience might look different with us, contact us! Do not hesitate to call, email, or DM us – heck or give us a comment below!

Categories
Dress Shopping

Expert Wedding Dress Shopping Tips

Ever since childhood, we have loved weddings; the big white dress, the flowers, people in a celebratory mood; we were hooked. When the reality TV craze started, our PVR was set to tape them all: Say Yes to the Dress (Kleinfeld’s, Atlanta, Bridesmaids, and Canada), I Found the Gown, My Fair Wedding with David Tutera, Rich Bride/Groom Poor Bride/Groom, and Four Weddings to name just a few. So, when we started to think of where to start with our blog, we thought about what are some key wedding dress shopping tips.

So, we thought we would start with the basics, Wedding Dress Shopping Tips: Advice from Our Experts 

After speaking with many of our expert stylists, some who have been assisting brides for many years, we have got the scoop on what brides should know/do to have the best wedding dress shopping experience possible.

  1. Bring a small entourage

    Brides tend to want to bring a large number of people with them; parent(s), siblings, cousins, aunts, grandmas, friends etc. However, the more people you bring the more opinions there are going to be, good and bad. Trying to find a dress to please that many people is a near impossible task, especially if you are a people pleaser like me. You can likely end up getting stressed out and confused on which direction to go with so many different thoughts and opinions being shared.

    Appointments with small parties tend to be more successful. You are able to receive a couple other opinions, but won’t become overwhelmed trying to find a dress that you and 8 other people will love. With fewer people shopping for the dress, it means more people to surprise with your beautiful choice. If you really want to show those special people your dress you can bring a few of them to your fittings.
  2. Wear proper undergarments

    Remember to wear proper undergarments to your appointment. Many dresses are strapless (with the option of adding straps or sleeves if desired) so we recommend a strapless bra. Undergarments are mandatory when trying on dresses for hygienic reasons (experience has shown stylists that some brides need reminding of this). Stylist are not able to allow you to try on any dresses without underwear. And remember, the stylist will need to assist you in doing-up the dress. So, if you’re not comfortable sharing your “rear assets” with her, skip the thong that day.
  3. Have an idea of what you’re looking for, but be open-minded to suggestions

    It helps to have ideas of what you’re interested in at your appointment (the cut, fabric, lace/no lace, bling/no bling, etc.). So, do some research before you come to your appointment. And, don’t be afraid to show your stylist some pictures of what you like. Just remember that pictures in magazines are photo-shopped and not always 100% realistic. We have links to all the designers we carry on our website. Interested in a specific style? Call or email Sinders to inquire about it!

    While having an idea of what you’re interested in is helpful, you should still come with an open mind to try other styles. Your stylist spends her days putting women into dresses; she knows how to read you, find out what you like, and what will work with your body type. Listening to the stylist’s suggestions can really surprise you. All our stylists have had countless brides come in with one idea and yet purchased something completely different.
  4. Shop early enough, but not too early

    Shopping for a wedding dress is not the same as shopping for any other dress. Unless you’re purchasing your gown off the rack, you will just be trying on samples at the store. Then the store will order your choice, in your size, from the designer.  Depending on the designer and time of year, dresses can take up to 9 months to be shipped to the bridal shop. It is important to keep this in mind to have the widest selection available to you.

    Shopping too early for your dress can also be a problem. Purchasing your dress with over a year before your wedding day may result in buyer’s regret. Designers usually release two collections per year. Between your purchase date and your big day current wedding dress styles may change, and you may discover a dress you love more than the one you purchased.
  5. Stay within budget

    Wedding dresses come in a large range of prices from the higher hundreds to tens of thousands. It’s so easy to walk into a store and see many dresses you like without considering the price.  Before coming to your appointment you should know what you (or whoever is paying for the dress) are able and willing to spend. Tell your stylist what your budget is at the beginning of the appointment. It is a big mistake to try on a dress that is above your budget. Especially if you’re not willing to spend the extra money. If you end up falling in love with the dress but can’t afford it you will end up comparing all the other dresses to it. And, warning, it’s very unlikely any of them will be able to match those feelings. There are beautiful dresses for any budget, our stylists can show you.
  6. Don’t try on too many dresses

    Wanting to see all your options, and continuing to play “dress up” can make you want to try on the hundreds of options available. However, this will likely result in you becoming confused on what you like, not knowing which dress is your dress, and having to settle on one you may regret. Most brides try on an average of 4-7 dresses. To prevent you from becoming confused, you should plan to try no more than approximately 10 gowns.
  7. Don’t worry about the size of the dress

    Bridal sizing runs smaller than street sizing. So, you will likely end up with a dress size larger than your regularly wear. Don’t worry about this, it’s just a number and it doesn’t define you. You will look better and enjoy your day much more if you’re in a dress that fits properly and you’re comfortable in! Don’t try to squeeze into a dress you will be pulling at all day. Especially because it’s a smaller size (no one needs to know the size of your dress anyway).
  8. You don’t have to cry

    Lots of brides have the idea that they will cry when they find “the dress”. While this can happen, it doesn’t always, and it’s not a requirement. Not all brides have an outward display of emotion, and that is perfectly acceptable. When you have found “the dress” you’ll know, no matter what your reaction is.

So there they are; the top tips from Sinders expert bridal stylist so you can have the best wedding dress shopping experience possible.

If you have any other questions regarding wedding dress shopping, please let us know. We’ll find the answer for you!

Don’t forget to book your appointment to find your perfect dress with us. Here at Sinders, we focus on providing the best customer service, so you can have the best experience finding your dress.

Categories
Dress Shopping Wedding Dresses

Top 10 tips for beautiful beach wedding dresses

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN CHOOSING BEACH WEDDING DRESSES FOR YOUR DESTINATION WEDDING

Destination weddings are a fun, relaxed alternative to traditional weddings. They combine the best of wedding celebrations and beach vacations, all with your most cherished loved ones. And like destination weddings, the choices for beach wedding dresses are more fun and laid back. Since you won’t be in a church, there are no rules with how much skin you can show. It’s also too hot on the beach to wear a formal wedding dress anyway.

While beach wedding dresses aren’t always traditional, they are still elegant. So choose to stay cool and comfortable on your big day in a beautiful beach wedding dress.

Here are the top 10 things to look for when choosing beach wedding dresses.

A COMFORTABLE FIT

The fit of a wedding dress is an important consideration, no matter where you’re getting married. But for beach weddings, you have to take the heat into consideration as well.

To enjoy your special day without feeling sticky in the heat, find a dress that fits comfortably. Consider looser fits that won’t stick to your skin.

Flattering styles that will be comfortable even in the heat and humidity include:

  • A-line fit and flares;
  • Above-the-knee flounce designs;
  • Loose tea-length pencil shapes; and,
  • Short sheathes.

LIGHTWEIGHT & BREATHABLE FABRIC

A comfortable beach wedding dress will also need flowy, breathable fabric. Traditional wedding dresses have heavier fabrics, such as polyester-silk or satin-silk. But beach wedding dressers will have looser fits and lightweight fabrics such as:

  • Chiffon;
  • Crêpe;
  • Cotton blends;
  • Organza; and,
  • Mesh or lace details.

MOISTURE-FRIENDLY FABRIC

There’s a good chance that your destination wedding will be in a hot, humid place by the ocean. So you have to take the high humidity into account when choosing fabrics for your wedding dress. The oceanfront humidity is not kind to some fabrics. Certain fabrics will result in a dress that becomes damaged, wrinkled, or flattened.

Comfortable, breathable fabrics that can handle moisture are ideal. And if you decide to take a stroll into the ocean for wedding photos, then you won’t cringe at the thought of ruining your beloved dress.

A SHORTER LENGTH

Shorter dresses are also ideal for wading in the ocean, walking in the sand, and feeling cooler in the heat. Full skirts and floor-length dresses are elegant. But they may impede on your fun in the sun, getting dirty or damaged in the sand and water. Shorter-length styles include streamlined, tea-length, and above-the-knee designs.

DISCOVER WHAT STACEY & MEGHAN ARE UP TO

and get a sneak preview of Sinder’s Bridal Guide for free!

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TRAIN ALTERNATIVES

As with long skirts, trains will also face problems on the beach. Trains don’t allow for free-flowing movement and may get muddied on the beach. They also add weight to the dress, making them seem heavier in the heat and humidity. Even when bustled, the weight is still there. So opt for another accessory for your outfit that won’t get in the way. Consider a short veil, mesh or lace details, or other lightweight-fabric details.

BEACH-FRIENDLY ADD-ONS

Even a veil may be too much for a windy oceanfront. But there are accessories that will work well both with your dress and the beach environment. Maintain comfort and convenience throughout your big day with these beach-friendly add-ons:

  • Flower crowns;
  • Headbands;
  • Jewellery; and,
  • Lace gloves.

BARE SHOULDERS

In the tropical heat, you will want to expose as much skin as possible to cool down in the ocean breeze. Popular beach wedding dresses expose the shoulders and arms for added comfort. In the heat and humidity, the less fabric you have on, the more comfortable you’ll be.

Consider beach wedding dresses with the following styles to stay cool:

  • Halter;
  • Keyhole;
  • One shoulder;
  • Short-sleeves;
  • Strapless; and,
  • Spaghetti straps.

EASY TO TRANSPORT

When travelling to your destination, make sure your dress makes it on time and in pristine condition. Do not check it with your luggage at the airport. Either carry it on the plane with you, or arrange to ship it registered and expedited to your wedding destination.

Either way, you will want a lightweight dress that is easy to ship or carry. If you choose to ship your dress, you will end up saving on shipping costs if it’s lightweight. And if you choose to travel with your dress, you will want to carry it on the plane.

EASY TO STORE

After your wedding, you will may want to have your dress dry cleaned and packaged for proper storage. The cleaning and prep for storage is expensive for big dresses with delicate fabrics. But lightweight dresses with moisture-friendly materials will be easier to clean and store.

MAKES YOU FEEL CONFIDENT

As with a comfortable fit, how confident you feel in a dress is a priority when choosing wedding dresses. You will want a dress that makes you feel beautiful so that you’ll be happy to wear it throughout your wedding day.

Destination weddings are all about feeling good, relaxed, and happy. Choose a dress that will make you feel great so you can have fun in the sun without worries on your wedding day.

Download the Sinders Bridal Guide to Plan the Wedding of Your Dreams

Categories
Customizations & Alterations Dress Shopping In-House Alterations

6 tips for wedding dress fittings and alterations

WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN GETTING YOUR WEDDING DRESS READY FOR THE BIG DAY

In a perfect world, finding your wedding dress would mean a perfect fit right off the hanger. But more often than not, the dress of your dreams needs a few dress fittings and alterations to perfectly suit your body and style.

That’s where fitting comes in! Once you’ve found your dream wedding dress, you will need to have it fitted. Fittings are the perfect opportunity to add special details and personalize your dress.

Whether you prefer long sleeved wedding dresses or sleeveless gowns, there’s something perfect for your size and style to ensure you can shine on your wedding day. Seamstress work and tailoring can make your dress look and feel even better.

If you’re not sure where to start with fittings and alterations, don’t worry – we’re here to help! We’ve covered everything from first fittings to who to bring, and we’ve included some tips for sizing and alterations.

First things first:

WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR FIRST DRESS FITTING

Your first fitting should take about an hour. When you try on the dress, your seamstress will pin it properly to give you a sense of how alterations will look. This will also give you a sense of how your dress will fit once it’s fully fitted. If your dress has a train, this is also an opportunity to look at bustle options.

After the first fitting, each fitting onward should take less time since the alterations will be closer to completion. This initial fitting is usually the longest, and future fittings will generally take much less time.

WHEN TO SCHEDULE DRESS FITTINGS

The sooner you schedule, the better. The further out you schedule, the more time you’ll have to ensure your dress is perfect for your wedding day. Try to schedule your first fitting when you buy your dress, or at least 8 to 10 weeks before your wedding.

Brides typically have three or four fittings, depending on the number of alterations. With each fitting, your dress will become more sculpted to your body. And after the second fitting, you should have a better idea of how the dress will fit.

Your seamstress will help you set a fitting schedule based on the date of your wedding. At the very minimum, expect your final pickup fitting to be scheduled a month after your first fitting.

Ideally, you’d have two to three months between the first and final fittings. Keep in mind that if you ask for a greater number of alterations (or if the alterations are more time-consuming), it’s going to take more time. Remember, your seamstress is the expert – when in doubt trust in their skills and instincts!

WHAT TO BRING

Since you want your dress to fit perfectly on your wedding day, bring everything you plan to wear on your big day to your fittings. This includes undergarments (bra, slip, shapewear), bridal shoes, a veil, hair accessories, and jewellery. With everything on, you will have a better idea of how each piece fits together for your final look.

Undergarments affect how a dress fits, and shoes will change how the dress’ length looks. If you don’t have your wedding shoes yet, bring a pair with similar heels so your dress won’t look too short or too long.

DISCOVER WHAT STACEY & MEGHAN ARE UP TO

and get a sneak preview of Sinder’s Bridal Guide for free!

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WHO TO BRING

Remember, fittings aren’t the White Dress Experience. By the time you’re getting fitted for your dress, you’ve already made your choice. That said, it’s worth bringing a few people to your fittings, especially if they’re part of the wedding party. Consider your maid of honour and perhaps another close friend.

You want people who know your style and what you’re looking for, but who aren’t afraid to be honest and tell you if it’s not quite perfect. Plus, if you plan to make your train a bustle, your maid of honour should be present at the final fitting so she can learn how to bustle your gown.

SIZING

The rule of thumb for choosing a dress size is to opt for comfort. In short, pick the larger size! It’s far easier to take in a dress during fittings than it is to make the dress bigger. Nevertheless, it is possible to bring a dress up in sizes, in some cases. Don’t worry if your size changes throughout the fittings. That’s what fittings are for!

STYLE & ALTERATIONS

The style of your wedding dress should suit your individual preferences. And if you can make it suit the style of your wedding location, theme, and décor as well, that’s even better.

Your seamstress will help you decide which alterations will work best without compromising the style of your dress. Along with the length and fit, you can choose alterations to make your dress more like you, such as:

  • Necklines – For example, if you want to change the neckline from straight to sweetheart.
  • Sleeves – You can add sleeves to a strapless wedding dress to create a cap-, short-, or long-sleeved wedding dress.
  • Corset Backs – You can switch out a zipper back with one that laces up. This might give you more room to breathe as well.
  • Bustles – If your dress has a train, you can opt to lift up your train after the ceremony. This bustle will change your look for the reception, giving you more mobility to dance.

Most bridal shops have experienced seamstresses who will work with you and your dress leading up to the big day. So if you have any concerns, or want alteration advice, your seamstress will be there for you, making sure your dress fits perfectly, and just how you imagined for your wedding day.

Categories
Customizations & Alterations Dress Shopping

Custom Wedding Gowns from Jolicoeur

A LOOK INTO MEGHAN AND STACEY’S JOURNEY FROM DESIGNER DREAM TO RUNWAY REALITY

After decades of making their brides’ dreams come true, it’s time to finally make their own dreams a reality with their latest project: Jolicoeur.

If you haven’t already heard, the Sinders Bridal powerhouse sisters, Meghan and Stacey, have taken the plunge and launched their very own Canadian-inspired custom line of designer wedding gowns.

Immersing themselves in the bridal industry has helped them understand what exactly their brides are looking for. It has also enabled them to take to the drawing board and come up with masterpieces. Their custom wedding gowns are flawlessly designed with the female body in mind, and backed behind decades of experience in fashion, design, and sewing.

KEEP READING FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT JOLICOEUR, WHAT INSPIRED THE SISTERS TO START THIS LINE, AND WHAT THEY BOTH DISCOVERED ALONG THE WAY.

WHAT SPARKED THE IDEA?

It all started when we were searching for gowns to carry in our shop. We were often met with dresses that were just shy of perfect for our standards. Time and time again, we encountered gorgeous pieces, but something was always missing. We knew that if certain characteristics of the gown were altered, or a seam was shifted, that it would make it a perfect dress that our brides would fall in love with. Over the years we started to realize – we know what our brides are looking for better than the designers we carry. So, why not design custom wedding gowns we know our brides want! And that’s exactly what we set out to do.

WHAT INSPIRED THE NAME AND HOW DOES IT TIE INTO THE BRAND?

The name Jolicoeur is our grandmother’s name. She grew up in the Ottawa area and raised her family there, and though we grew up in the Ottawa valley, this area is our home. We’re proud to start our own brand here. We wanted a name that represented our heritage. So we could bring our family on this journey with us and remain connected to our roots. Plus, while it might not be a perfect translation, we love what the name means in French. How could you not love the sweetness behind falling in love with a Jolie Cœur; a Pretty Heart!

HOW LONG HAS JOLICOEUR BEEN IN THE MAKING?

It feels like yesterday! We finally sat down, planned our strategy, and committed to creating our line in late 2018. We dabbled with the idea of starting our custom line of gowns several years earlier, however, the project didn’t have our full commitment behind it at the time. Though our reasons were the same, and we had many years of wedding industry experience behind us, we didn’t have the backing of a bridal shop that could show our gowns to their greatest potential. Both Sinders Bridal House and Jolicoeur have grown and flourished from the same love of fashion and design. Now both names are ready to work together to make your dreams come true.

WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION?

Since our infancy, we’ve been in love with fashion and design. So being able to craft works of art for our brides was an extremely attractive endeavour for both of us. 

Having a hand in how the gown would look and feel excited us. Especially after spending so many years doing what we love to do and having a background in weddings, design, and sewing. We know what our brides want. We want nothing more than to deliver that to them through the best styles and designs. It’s not uncommon that our brides tell us that they were looking for something specific but couldn’t find it in Canada as it was a European style. Or, that they had a vision for their dress but can’t seem to make it come to life. Our goal was to provide our brides with stunning, affordable custom wedding gowns they would see on the runway.

Beyond our struggles with finding beautiful gowns that were missing that “je-ne-sais-quoi,” we also discovered that Canadian design houses were few and far between. Europe had dominated the fashion and bridal world, and we felt that they shouldn’t be the only players in the game. We wanted to bring home some credit for our industry and show the world that Canada has a lot to offer brides.

On a more personal note, Stacey always aspired to become a designer, so Jolicoeur is now a little girl’s dream surfacing into a reality.

DISCOVER WHAT STACEY & MEGHAN ARE UP TO

and get a sneak preview of Sinder’s Bridal Guide for free!

By completing this form and clicking on the Submit button, I expressly consent and agree to receive e-mails from Sinders Bridal to the e-mail address provided.

WHAT WAS THE PROCESS LIKE? EXPLAIN THE JOURNEY.

When we embarked upon this journey, we took inspiration from the female body. With 25 years of experience helping brides find the dress of their dreams, we know which styles flatter which body types. How gowns are supposed to fit on the body, how to customize dresses from head–to–toe, and what features and adornments add that extra oomph. Lace should flow in the right direction, seams should both enhance and diminish curves, and although this sounds impossible to achieve simultaneously, I assure you it is the basis for a perfect fit when it comes to wedding gowns!

First, we sketch the rough outline of how the gown should fit, then work with high-quality fabrics and choose the best ones for each individual gown. 

Every gown has a bride’s name on it before it’s even created. It’s as though the gown is destined to be hers. This idea is exhilarating and terrifying at the same time because we know she’ll come visit us in our boutique and fall in love with the dress. So it needs to hold up the Sinders quality standards. The design, fabric, shape, style – everything needs to be just right, otherwise, it won’t feel like ‘the one.’

When we go through the process for each gown and make decisions and support each other’s ideas, we know we’re creating something incredible!

We live for the moment our brides look in the mirror and just know, ‘that’s the one’. We design gorgeous gowns that are not only expertly crafted, but are comfortable to wear. Plus they make our brides feel confident, beautiful, and proud.

WHAT SURPRISED YOU MOST THROUGHOUT THIS EXPERIENCE?

How seamlessly everything just falls into place when you design a gown with purpose. The fabric sits perfectly, the lines glide down beautifully along the body, and the whole thing suddenly comes together almost effortlessly. When we completed our sample design, and finally got the gown on our model for the first time, it was an absolutely magical moment I will cherish forever.

Meghan

More humbling than surprising, but the level of support we received from our friends, family, and Sinders team of experts! From the moment we committed to designing this line of gowns to finally receiving them, we’ve received so much positivity and support from everyone. We couldn’t be happier to have them by our side throughout this experience.

Stacey

WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU DISCOVERED ABOUT YOURSELF?

I learned that it takes a village to achieve what seems like the impossible. We create a powerhouse team when every person contributes their strengths. Even though we both had this dream and planned to bring our dream to fruition, it takes every person in our shop. To keep us on the journey moving forward, until that dream becomes a reality.

Meghan

I learned that it has taken 25 years of ups, downs, and massive challenges to get me to this point. The designs and ideas are from working with hundreds of brides and really listening to their wants and needs, and educating myself on women’s bodies to know what looks good on certain shapes and sizes. That allows me to create gowns for all women. Gowns designed to make you feel like you are realizing the dream you’ve always desired.

Stacey

WHAT IS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT LIFE-LESSON YOU BOTH LEARNED?

The most significant life lesson we learned both individually and separately was that for us to truly achieve our goals–professional and personal–it all starts with believing in ourselves and harnessing that confidence to make things happen.

From running a business to designing our custom line staying connected to one another, taking care of our families, and trying to juggle all the challenges life throws at us, having faith in ourselves and each other separates the thoughts of ‘I can’t’ to ‘I can’. We are overwhelmed some days with daunting tasks, trying to keep all the pieces in the air moving together. But it pushes us outside of our comfort zone, and in the end, we are incredibly proud and blessed to have each other and our incredibly supportive family behind us. And our amazing Sinders family has been by our side every step of the way, which we are eternally grateful for.

SINDERS BRIDAL HOUSE AND THE MISS UNIVERSE CANADA COMPETITION

HOW DID SINDERS GET INVOLVED?

An incredible woman with whom we’d worked with for several years in bridal shows in the Ottawa area had approached us. We had no idea she had been a Miss Canada contestant and even beyond that, a winner in the Miss Grand Canada competition. When Grace modelled for us each year, we got along so well, and she loved the fit and style of the gowns we chose for her. She was a natural on the runway – graceful and elegant – and she looked stunning in everything we put on her. It was hard to choose just one or two gowns!

WHAT WAS THE PROCESS LIKE?

We were just starting the creation process for one of our very first Joliceour designs, Sophia, when Grace approached us about sponsoring her path through Miss Universe Canada. She has such a presence and a confidence about her. We knew she would be a perfect fit for such a one-of-a-kind gown. We designed Sophia to be a statement piece, one you need to be able to pull off, or it will overpower you. When we had our sample ready for Grace to try on, it was like witnessing magic. The fit was perfect, she was jaw-dropping, and we knew she’d excel in the competition.

WHICH DESIGNERS DID YOU USE, AND HOW MANY GOWNS WERE IN THE MIX?

Miss Universe Canada has several phases and requires a gown for each phase. Along with our Joliceour gown, Grace also chose several of our pieces from Eva Lendel and WONÀ Concept (formally known as Crystal Design). Based in Ukraine, WONÀ is one of our favourite designers. We were fortunate enough to have met the designer/owner and established a great relationship with their team. One person is responsible for making each every one of their gowns, from start to finish. It’s such a rare thing these days in the fashion industry. Everything has been so commercialized. We really admire their creativity, and we were so grateful to have them partner with us in dressing Grace.

Throughout the competition, Grace needed one evening gown, six cocktail gowns, and one formal piece for the interview portion for which she chose an incredible ivory pantsuit we carry from Eva Lendel. It’s a showstopper, and she absolutely rocked it! She knew what looks she wanted to embody and was confident about how to portray herself in the garment. We felt so privileged to be able to provide Grace with every one of the pieces she needed, with the help of our amazing designers Crystal and Eva.

WHAT WAS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT THING YOU’VE TAKEN AWAY FROM THIS EXPERIENCE?

The best part of working with Grace for Miss Universe Canada was that she taught us so much about her work in sociology and the competition itself. It’s no surprise that these types of competitions get a bad reputation. We even heard comments like ‘…ew, those things still happen?’. But what’s amazing is that every woman involved in these competitions has a voice and is finding her platform to use it to help others. Grace stands for many tough subjects like police brutality, violence against women, and racial profiling, to name a few. Every woman there is trying to grow personally, philanthropically, and in their career in order to help others. So, why should society look down on that? A portion of these competitions might be based on fashion and aesthetics, but we ourselves are guilty of taking our love of fashion to the extremes sometimes!

What if we were to use our love of fashion to help educate and bring light to certain subjects, isn’t that worth it? We stood behind a woman who stood for confidence and empowering other women, and we are very proud of that.

“Empowering each other in life is something we think everyone should do more of these days.”

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT OUR NEW CUSTOM LINE, JOLICOEUR!
Categories
Dress Shopping Wedding Dresses

How to Choose a Second Wedding Dress for your Reception

TIPS FOR FINDING YOUR SECOND WEDDING DRESS SO YOU CAN HAVE YOUR DREAM GOWN FOR YOUR CEREMONY AND YOUR RECEPTION

Many brides dream of walking down the aisle wearing a big princess-style ball gown, but by the end of the evening, it can become extremely cumbersome and uncomfortable to move in, making it difficult to enjoy your wedding reception and dance the night away.

Or, maybe you love the idea of having both a ball gown and a sexy, mermaid dress and are struggling to choose just one. For either reason, more and more brides are choosing to purchase a second (or third or fourth) dress just for their wedding reception.

But while planning an outfit change will ensure you get the best of both worlds, finding not one, but two or more dream wedding dresses can be a bit of a challenge.

READ MORE: HOW TO SHOP FOR WEDDING DRESSES IN OTTAWA

HISTORY BEHIND THE TWO DRESS TREND

While nowadays, it seems like the majority of brides are opting for an outfit change during their wedding reception, the trend has been around for longer than you might think.

Going all the way back to the 1930s, it was common for brides to change towards the end of their wedding reception into a “Going Away Dress” for their grand exit, where they would be whisked off to their honeymoon.

This “Going Away” ensemble typically consisted of a bridal-inspired skirt and jacket.

Now fast forward to 2019, and the trend has slightly shifted, with many brides purchasing two or more vastly different gowns for both their wedding ceremony and reception.

REASONS TO BUY A SECOND WEDDING DRESS

So, you’ve already found your dream bridal gown that makes you feel your most beautiful. You might be wondering – why would you want to wear anything else on your most special day?

Here are some of the most common reasons why brides are ditching their ceremony gowns before the reception.

COMFORT

Just like you may want to change out of your high heels as the night wears on, you may find yourself uncomfortable during the reception if your dress is a large, ball gown silhouette with lots of heavy fabric and beading.

Or maybe you went with a slinkier silhouette with a corset back that looks beautiful, but is difficult to sit and move in.

READ MORE: 10 EXPERT TIPS FOR PLUS-SIZED WEDDING DRESS SHOPPING

DANCING

Even if you don’t find yourself uncomfortable in your ball gown by the end of the night, dancing can still be a challenge in a big poufy gown. While dancing and twirling the night away in a sea of tulle can sound like a dream, in actuality, having so much fabric can increase your risk of people – including your groom! – stepping on the hem of your gown and tripping while out on the dance floor.

WEATHER

Getting married outdoors in the summertime has lots of advantages, but unless the temperature starts to dip after your ceremony, wearing a heavy gown with many layers of fabric and beading can leave you feeling sweaty and uncomfortable throughout your reception. By switching to a lighter, airier gown, you will feel so much cooler and not run the risk of overheating.

DIFFICULTY CHOOSING JUST ONE STYLE

Ball gowns, and a-lines, and fit and flares, oh my! With so many options for bridal gowns these days, finding your dream dress can be overwhelming and make your head spin.

Further adding to the stress is the fact that many brides struggle to decide what they want to look like on their wedding day and whether they should go with a sexy or princessy look.

If you find yourself in this predicament, purchasing a more fitted, sexier gown for the reception will help ease any indecision you are experiencing.

MODESTY

If you are getting married in a church, there are often some modesty rules you have to follow. This means you will likely need to stay a bit more covered up during your ceremony by having your shoulders or arms covered and concealing cleavage.

But after your ceremony, you may want to let loose and show off your sexier side. In this case, having a second dress is a good compromise.

TIPS FOR FINDING YOUR RECEPTION DRESS

Now that you’ve established the fact that you’d like to purchase a second wedding dress for your reception, how do you choose which one?

Here are a few tips for finding your dream wedding dress….again.

READ MORE: WEDDING DRESS SILHOUETTES – FINDING WHAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU

MAKE COMFORT A TOP PRIORITY

When picking your first gown, the one thing at the top of your mind is usually finding something that makes you feel absolutely beautiful, no matter how uncomfortable it may be.

So, when searching for dress #2, you should be aiming for something you feel comfortable AND beautiful in.

BUDGET FOR TWO DRESSES

Before you even start shopping for your first wedding dress, it’s important to decide early on whether or not you feel you will want a second dress for your reception to help determine your budget.

If you’ve been dreaming of huge ball gowns or a skin-tight, corseted fit and flare, you may want to search for a ceremony dress that leaves enough room in your budget for a second gown. You can also consider increasing your budget in order to afford both gowns, or find a budget-friendly reception gown that will allow you to afford your dream ceremony dress.

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX AND HAVE FUN

Your wedding day is a once in a lifetime experience, so why play it safe?

If you’re a fun bride who likes taking fashion risks, your reception dress is the perfect opportunity to show off your personality.

Don’t confine yourself to the traditional long, white gown. Try playing around with some colour and go with a blush, pale blue, silver, gold, or lavender dress, or even something more daring like black or red.

READ MORE: SINDERS TIPS FOR CUSTOMIZING YOUR WEDDING DRESS

A short and sassy dress, a jumpsuit, or romper are also great options that are super trendy right now.

If you chose to remain modest for your church ceremony or to avoid offending any older family members, also don’t be afraid to unleash your sexier side for your reception. At the end of the day, your wedding is all about you and your new spouse. So, don’t hold back, and wear what makes you feel your most confident.

MAKE SURE YOU CAN DANCE IN IT

The highlight of any wedding reception is dancing, so if you know that you will be getting down and boogieing the night away, it’s important to have a dress that you can move in.

To make sure you actually enjoy your reception and don’t spend most of it sitting down and feeling uncomfortable, find a dress with fewer bells and whistles that will help you focus on having fun, rather than trying to maneuver in your gown.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO CHANGE

Now that you’ve found both dresses for your wedding, the next step is to determine when you will make your outfit change. There is no set rule for this, so the decision is completely up to you.

However, a good rule of thumb for when to change from your ceremony dress into your second dress is during the cocktail hour, after you’ve finished taking photos.

But if you’d prefer to have your first dance in your ceremony gown, changing immediately after that is a good time as well.

Whether you can’t decide between two or more completely different bridal looks or you just want to feel more comfortable during your reception, choosing more than one dress is a great option to ensure you are 100% satisfied with how you look and feel on your wedding day. And when you do decide to go shopping, refer back to these tips to help find your dream bridal gowns.

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Dress Shopping News

What to expect from your dress shopping experience during a pandemic

HOW COVID-19 IS AFFECTING DRESS SHOPPING AND THE BRIDAL INDUSTRY

Between cancelled or postponed weddings and bridal shops closing their doors, dress shopping has halted. The bridal industry has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic this past spring. However, with fewer cases being reported every day, governments allowing bridal boutiques to reopen, and smaller weddings forging ahead – things are looking more and more positive for brides every single day.

With that being said, we will explore all the ways COVID-19 has affected the wedding dress industry. So, you can begin your journey knowing exactly what to expect over the next several months and get you back to dress shopping.

WAYS COVID-19 HAS AFFECTED THE WEDDING DRESS INDUSTRY

DELAYED DELIVERIES

When the virus began spreading rapidly around the world back in February and March, manufacturers, including wedding dress designers, had to adapt to COVID-19 health and safety regulations, resulting in delays getting shipments out. Fortunately, though, these delays were minor. Most brides currently shopping for their wedding dress can expect their gown to arrive on time. However, this may not be the case for all designers. Be sure to ask your bridal boutique about any delays that will affect when your dress arrives.

POSTPONED NUPTIALS

One of the most significant effects COVID-19 had on the wedding industry was the cancellation or postponement of weddings scheduled to take place in 2020 due to restrictions on large gatherings.

While some couples chose to forge ahead with elopements and intimate micro weddings with only their witnesses and immediate family present, others made the tough decision to postpone until the fall of 2020 or push to 2021.

While this was understandably heartbreaking for many couples, the good news is that the Ontario provincial government has slowly begun allowing weddings to take place again, but with some restrictions. We’ll get more into that later.

INNOVATION (VIRTUAL DRESS SHOPPING)

One positive thing out of this pandemic is that many bridal shops and other vendors put their creativity to work. This creativity has kept their businesses afloat and helped brides continue to plan their weddings.

Many bridal boutiques introduced the concept of virtual shopping appointments. Where brides would be shown wedding gowns by a bridal stylist over a virtual chat like FaceTime or Zoom. Once a bride had narrowed down their selections, dresses would be shipped to their home for them to try on.

BRIDAL COLLECTIONS BEING DELAYED

Another side effect of the pandemic is that some bridal designers had to postpone the release of their latest collections. However, this hasn’t been the case with all designers. Be sure to ask your bridal stylist about whether certain styles and collections will be available. Especially if you are looking for a brand new style from a particular designer.

THE OVERALL DRESS SHOPPING EXPERIENCE

For brides that are able to continue dress shopping during the pandemic, the dress shopping experience will look a bit different than pre-COVID-19. Rest assured that your bridal stylist will do everything in their power to make your shopping experience as magical as possible.

Keep in mind that policies vary from shop to shop. Different cities and provinces have their own rules and regulations for retail businesses operating during the pandemic. However, most shops are limiting the size of brides’ entourages and requiring all visitors to wear masks.

Contact your bridal shop to learn more about how they are handling things during the pandemic.

WHERE THINGS ARE AT NOW

Now that Ontario is in Phase Three of the province’s official reopening, businesses are able to conduct business as usual, as long as sanitation and physical distancing protocols are followed and masks are worn (in certain towns and cities). This means that brides planning weddings for late 2020 or 2021 can resume the planning process without hurdles.

Even more good news is that smaller sized weddings are able to proceed again both indoors and outdoors.

For indoor wedding ceremonies and receptions, you can have up to 50 people in attendance, as long as they physically distance and don’t fill up more than 30 percent of your venue’s capacity.

For outdoor weddings, you can have up to 100 people in attendance, as long as they are able to physically distance from one another.

THE SILVER LINING

While these past few months have been challenging for everyone, it’s important to stay positive and focus on what is most important. Marrying the love of your life when the time comes. This pandemic has completely changed the way we go about our day to day lives. One thing that it cannot change is the love you have for one another.

Also keep in mind that delaying nuptials can give you more time to plan and save up. Or, allow you to scale back your wedding in favour of a smaller, more romantic, and intimate affair with only those closest to you. No matter what avenue you choose to take, just know that we won’t let this affect your dress shopping experience. We want you to find your perfect wedding gown and that will never change – pandemic or not.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR APPOINTMENT AT SINDERS

At Sinders, we are closely following the health and safety guidelines set out by the Ontario Provincial government. As such, we require all Sinders staff and visitors to wear masks and keep a distance between each other as much as possible. We are also currently accepting fewer bookings to give us enough time to sanitize the shop in between appointments. We are also not allowing more than 3 party members to accompany brides to their appointments.

However, one thing that will not change is our dedication to making all our brides’ dreams come true. We will always find you the perfect gown to wear down the aisle. Contact us to learn more or book an appointment to start dress shopping with Sinders.