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Top Tips

Top Tips

Congratulations on your engagement! Whether your engagement happened just recently over the holidays, or a little while before that, we want to welcome you to our blog, and discuss a couple of the things you’ll want to think about before making your appointments at the top wedding gown boutiques in your area.

Choosing the right wedding gown is a big decision for any bride, and it can be overwhelming trying to find the perfect dress. If you’re in the Peterborough area, there are plenty of bridal stores to choose from, each offering their own unique selection and experience. Our first piece of advice is to do your research. Above all else, you want to know that you can trust in your stylist and in the bridal boutique that will be ordering your gown. They will be taking care of you, the bride, and your wedding dress for a long time and we like to think of it as a relationship. Be sure they are knowledgeable about their designers and their gowns. More so make sure they treat you with the utmost respect and will do everything in their power to make your gown perfect. No matter your size, your budget, or the gown you’re looking for, the best bridal shop will have all the answers and be more than happy to help you.

One of the first things to consider when shopping for a wedding gown is your budget. It’s important to have a rough idea of how much you’re willing to spend before you start trying on dresses. This will help narrow down your options and make the process less overwhelming. Be honest about this with the boutiques you want to visit. Every shop has wedding gowns in a range of prices, but you do not want to fall in love with a gown that is above your budget.

Next, think about your personal style and the overall look and feel you want for your wedding. Do you envision a traditional, formal ceremony or a more relaxed, bohemian celebration? Your dress should reflect the overall tone and theme of your wedding. Your wedding gown should be a reflection of you and your personal style. It should also enhance your beauty but it should also make you feel like the best representation of yourself on your wedding day.

It’s also helpful to bring along a trusted friend or family member for support and honest feedback. Gather a few of your closest people, but also be sure that the group you brings has only your best interest at heart. The style we are looking for in your wedding gown is the one that suits you best. You are the one who has researched styles, fits, designers, and budgets. If your party has not done this with you then they are not in the same shopping space you are.

As you start trying on dresses, pay attention to how each one makes you feel. When you find the one that gives you that “I said yes” moment, you’ll know it’s the one. Be aware if your personality is one that typically has an ah-ha moment, or if you lean into your emotions when making decisions. If you are more analytical and less emotional then it might not be the ah-ha moment for you. Instead, it’s perfectly normal to find your gown based on that being the one that ticks every box for you. Or it’s the one you can picture yourself walking down the aisle in. Or it’s the one you’re sure will make your partner’s jaw drop when they see you.

Above all, remember to have fun and enjoy the experience. Finding the perfect wedding gown should be an enjoyable and memorable moment in the lead-up to your big day. Best of luck on your search and reach out to us with any questions you have! We would absolutely love to share that moment with you and be involved in your big day!

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Categories
Advice News Wedding Dresses

Social Media

Social Media

Social media has revolutionized the way we shop for wedding dresses and find inspiration for our wedding day. With a simple search or hashtag, you can discover a plethora of options and styles to choose from. Here’s how to use some popular social media platforms to find the perfect wedding gown for you.

Instagram:

Instagram is a great place to start your search for a wedding dress. You can search for hashtags such as #weddingdress, #bridalgown, or #weddinginspo to see a variety of dresses and styles. You can also check out the accounts of bridal designers and boutiques to see their latest collections. For example, we will use #sindersbride for our past brides’ wedding photos, or #sindersbridalhouse when we want you to know that a certain gown is available in the boutique. If you find a dress you like, you can usually click on the tag or hashtag to see more dresses from that designer or collection.
One of the best things about using Instagram for your wedding dress search is that you can get a more personal look at the dresses. Many bridal boutiques and designers will post pictures of real brides wearing their dresses, so you can get an idea of how the dress looks on a real body rather than just on a model. You can also see how the dress looks in different settings, such as at the beach or in a garden, to help you envision your own wedding day. At Sinders Bridal – both the Ottawa and Peterborough locations – we have our stylists model new arrivals so that you can see what the gown will look like on a real person.


YouTube:

YouTube is another great resource for finding wedding dresses and getting inspiration. Many bridal boutiques and designers have their own YouTube channels where they showcase their latest collections or do dress try-on hauls. You can also find tons of wedding vlogs where brides document their dress-shopping journey and share their final dress choices. Watching these videos can give you a better idea of what it’s like to try on dresses and what to expect when you start shopping.
On our channel @sindersbridalhouse we will also walk you through the process of finding your gown, and what to expect when you arrive. We realize this can be a daunting experience for some so our hope is to ease as many nerves as we can and make you as comfortable as possible before you find your wedding gown!

Pinterest:

Pinterest is an excellent platform for collecting and organizing all of your wedding inspiration, including dresses. You can create a board specifically for wedding dresses and start pinning dresses that you like. You can also search for specific terms such as “lace wedding dresses” or “boho wedding dresses” to see a curated selection of dresses in your desired style.
One of the benefits of using Pinterest is that you can easily see how different dresses look when paired with different accessories, hairstyles, and makeup. You can also see how different styles of dresses look on different body types, which can be helpful if you’re unsure what style will flatter your figure.
Bridal shops that are technology savvy and who have a great social media presence will also have a Pinterest page. We have found that this is the best way to let our brides know what we have in stock so in your research stage be sure to look through our Pinterest page under Sinders Bridal. You’ll see boards designated for both Ottawa and Peterborough so you will know what you can find at the location that is closest to you.
Overall, social media is a great tool for finding and getting inspiration for your wedding dress. With the help of Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest, you can easily discover a wide range of options and styles to choose from.

We love being involved with our brides right from the research and planning stages that involve our social media platforms. If you have questions or need clarification on something you see on our social DM us, text, email, or call. We would love to help.
Happy dress shopping!

Book your appointment here

Categories
Advice News Wedding Planning

Wedding Invitations

Wedding Invitations

There are so many parts to consider when you start planning your wedding. Some of the first things might be choosing a venue, or finding your wedding gown. But there is an important step that can come a little bit later on in the planning process which every couple will need to do… Invitations.

There are a few different options to consider, each with its own pros and cons. Here’s a comparison of making your own invitations by buying a digital download on Etsy, buying pre-made invitations, and having a designer make and personalize them by hand:

  1. Buying a digital download on Etsy: This is the most affordable option, as you can typically find a wide range of invitation templates for less than $20. The process is simple: just purchase the template, download it, and print it out at home or at a local print shop. You’ll need to have a good printer and some basic design skills to make the invitations look professional, but with a little bit of effort, you can create beautiful invitations on your own. The main downside is that you’ll be limited to the design options available on Etsy, so if you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for, you might have to settle for something close.
  1. Buying pre-made invitations: If you don’t have the time or design skills to make your own invitations, you can purchase pre-made invitations online or at a local stationery store. These invitations are typically more expensive than digital downloads, but they’re also more convenient and often come with envelopes. The main downside is that you’ll be limited to the designs that are available, which might not match your wedding theme or style as closely as you’d like.
  1. Having a designer make and personalize invitations by hand: If you want the most unique and personalized invitations, you might consider hiring a designer to create them for you. This is the most expensive option, but it also gives you the most flexibility in terms of design. You can work with the designer to come up with a completely custom invitation that matches your wedding theme and style perfectly. The main downside is the cost, as custom invitations can be quite expensive. But if knowing your guests will receive the perfect introduction to your wedding day is important to you then this is definitely an option you should explore.

Ultimately, the best option for you will depend on your budget, design skills, and how much time you have to devote to making your own invitations. If you have a limited budget and are comfortable with a DIY project, a digital download from Etsy might be the way to go. If you have a little more money to spend and don’t mind giving up some control over the design, pre-made invitations are a good choice. And if you want something truly unique and personalized, a designer might be the way to go.

In the end be sure it fits with the way you envision your wedding!

Categories
Advice Dress Shopping News Wedding Planning

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!

Categories
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.

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!

Categories
News

Family-Owned: How do you work with your family?

HOW WE MANAGE OUR FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS TO SUCCEED AS BUSINESS PARTNERS AND SISTERS

RUNNING A FAMILY-OWNED BUSINNESS – HOW DO YOU WORK WITH YOUR FAMILY?!

This is by far one of our most asked questions. And honestly, it took us some time to learn how to do it properly while also succeeding as business partners and as sisters.

We’ve known each other our whole lives, so you would think that would give us the added benefit of understanding each other’s strengths and weaknesses. But the craziest thing we’ve both learned over the years is that you can always learn more about someone, and you can always learn more about yourself.

Now, those of you who have siblings will know that a parent or another sibling often has to play the role of mediator when things don’t go smoothly. Well, lucky for us, we have literally the most incredible parents – they’re our biggest supporters. They back us, they believe in us, and they know what we’re capable of because they created some pretty headstrong and stubborn daughters. And to this day, our mom is still our mediator.

However, the go-between is rarely needed anymore, as we’ve grown so much as people, as entrepreneurs, and as business partners, over the years that we can tell when to take a breather and when to stand by a point we believe in. But I’m not going to lie, there was a point in our family-owned business history (a long, long time ago!) when we didn’t speak for a few months. We aren’t drama-driven or petty people by nature – who has time for that?! But we have had our share of ups and downs, and sometimes, in the downtimes, the people that are closest to you get the short end of the stick. We hadn’t yet learned to lean on each other and respect each other as we should.

IT’S A LEARNING PROCESS.
EVERYTHING IN LIFE CAN BE LOOKED AT AS EXPERIENCE.

That is the single most important thing that gets us through our lives together as a family who works together day in and day out. We make mistakes, we learn from them, and we help each other out of the dark spaces when we need to.

Family is there to support you, so that’s when you realize that there are families you are born with and families that you choose. We’ve been lucky enough (or smart enough) to build our businesses with the root of a family where everyone who joins us becomes a part of that family.

SO, HOW DO WE HANDLE WORKING WITH OUR FAMILY?

We currently have an incredible group of 16 sisters/mothers/aunts/friends who we call our family. Have you met our team!?

And sure, Stacey and I shared a room growing up, and fought over paint colours for that room. But guess what? As adults, we now get to share several rooms with 16 different women and get to fight over paint colours for those rooms every time we redecorate!

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News

Unveiling the newly renovated Sinders Bridal House

A LOOK AT WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO BEHIND THE SCENES AT SINDERS BRIDAL HOUSE

With our shop officially re-opened after a tumultuous few months, we figured, what better time to highlight what’s been going on with the Sinders Bridal House team behind the scenes and announce our big news? For starters – we’ve renovated the boutique!

Keep reading to learn more about our renovation process and what you can expect next time you set foot into Sinders Bridal House.

WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO RENOVATE SINDERS BRIDAL HOUSE?

We had long-term renovation plans for years. Some we take on continually, but there were many pieces that we knew would need to be done when the shop was closed. But we never wanted to take the steps to close the shop for a week or even just a few days in order to get those done. So there were a few pieces we delayed. In that way, the pandemic gave us the opportunity to make the most dramatic changes we’d planned without inconveniencing our brides in the process.

WHAT WORK WAS DONE TO REVAMP THE SHOP?

As a Victorian home, our shop has a lot of old features and a lot of character. We took the hardwood floors back to their original look but they were definitely in need of professional help to make them shine. This was one of the biggest pieces we had planned, and one of the few projects where we asked for outside help. Other large projects included a new coat of paint in literally every room, floor, and nook and cranny in the building. We went with soft white to give a blank canvas for viewing the gowns, and to make the dark woodwork pop. Other changes include new chandeliers everywhere, doors instead of curtains in change rooms, new furniture, and a new set up for every bridal suite. Honestly, there wasn’t a room we didn’t overhaul in the process.


                                                                                                                    Photo by Mary Calotes

WHAT WAS THE PROCESS LIKE? EXPLAIN THE JOURNEY.

Since we’d be talking about making some changes for so long, those were obvious. We just had to find the right people to help with the more extensive changes. To start, several of us at the shop made lists of all the changes we’d like to see. Then we prioritized the most important since we didn’t know how long we would be closed.

We most definitely added more to our plate than any sane person would have. But we do tend to push ourselves to go big! There were 2-4 of us working on it every day. Although we are not professionals, it took more than 4 weeks to get close to the end of the list we had created for ourselves.

WHAT SURPRISED YOU MOST ABOUT THE RENOVATION PROCESS?

How much we were capable of. Stacey and I were raised to try on our own but admit you need help when necessary. However, we have been so fortunate with our team, as they have the same mentality and are such incredibly capable women who will give it everything they have. Aside from sanding floors and painting one dangerous portion of stairwell, we were able to complete everything on our very extensive list and could not be more proud of what we’ve done.

THE SINDERS BUILDING HAS BEEN AROUND FOR SO LONG. DID YOU UNEARTH ANYTHING INTERESTING?

Always! Every time we touch a wall, we know we’ll find decades worth of wallpaper, often 3 or 4 layers deep. It’s one of the best things to look back and see how the styles have changed. Often the oldest layer is absolutely gorgeous and we would keep it there if it were salvageable.

HOW LONG DID IT TAKE TO COMPLETE EVERYTHING?

It was flat out for about three weeks, then we got word that we could reopen, so we had to switch gears and make sure we were able to adhere to government regulations. In a way, we’re never satisfied. We will always be tweaking and touching one last thing to make it better, prettier, and more helpful for our brides. So, in that way, we never are really finished. We’re always working to make the building and our business run as well as it can

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE TO THE SHOP?

One of the best changes was giving each viewing room its own individual personality. We named each room after the mother and her three daughters who originally lived in the house. Then we gave each room a colour palette and new furniture to fit the feel of that room. It gives a one of a kind experience when you can say you found your gown in the Laura room, with it’s beautiful blue décor and vintage chandelier hanging in the window.

WHAT ELSE WERE YOU WORKING ON BEHIND THE SCENES OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS?

Besides building renovations, we had many things we wanted to implement and are still working on a few. We recently updated to an online booking system. Plus, we took the time to reevaluate the designers we carry and how we want to move forward to best service our brides. Needless to say, we are always adjusting something!

WHAT DID YOU MISS MOST WHEN THE SHOP HAD TO CLOSE ITS DOORS?

Our team and the happiness of a bride finding her gown. We rarely take time away. Although the forced vacation was great for family time, it was heartbreaking to part with our girls and not have answers about when we would be able to open again.

Every one of us gets to share in one of the most exciting choices a bride can have. And we love the feeling of happiness we get to share when they find their gown. Missing that for several weeks/months was a noticeable change to our normal days. We can’t wait to welcome brides back to their appointments.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO NOW THAT SINDERS BRIDAL HOUSE IS OPEN AGAIN?

Helping our brides shift and recover from a wedding that might have been postponed or dramatically changed from what they expected. In the very least, we can help them remember how incredible they felt when they found their gown and hold onto a small part of that excitement until they can get the rest of their plans set again.

ANY ADVICE OR WORDS OF WISDOM FOR BRIDES THAT HAD TO CANCEL OR POSTPONE THEIR WEDDINGS DUE TO THE PANDEMIC?

Try to stay positive and find the silver lining. We’ve had brides choose an intimate ceremony on their original date, with a bigger party when things are more normal. And we’ve had full postponements until the world has settled. No matter what, just remember that one way or another, you will get to marry the person you love.

Categories
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.

Categories
News

Covid-19 and Sinders Bridal House

After a lot of thought and consideration, we have decided to make the difficult decision to temporarily close our shop to help prevent the further spread of Covid-19.

We are available to all our brides by email or DM to answer any questions. Always. When our doors are open or closed. Our team is still working behind the scenes to make sure the shop continues and all our amazing brides receive their gowns on time!

We will always be reachable and we will continue to post updates on social media and will be sure to keep you all informed when we feel it is safe to re-open.

Stay safe and healthy everyone! We look forward to seeing you back at Sinders again soon once this Covid-19 crisis has passed.

– Meghan and Stacey

 

A Letter from The Sinders Sisters:

It’s April 2020 and it’s an unprecedented time for us. That word can be used to describe either a good or bad change. I won’t lie, it’s been both.

Never in our history of entrepreneurship have we ever had to close the doors to our shop. Never have we had to tell our staff that they can’t come to work and we don’t know when we’ll be back. When we say we’re a family, I can promise you it’s not just lip service in an industry that supports love.

There are individuals that are harder hit by Covid-19 than us, I can absolutely admit. We have every intention of opening our doors and welcoming back our staff at the earliest opportunity, but what has this time changed for us? What has it done to our familiar work-home? We closed our doors and the building is cold. One of us goes every day to be in touch with brides and make sure that everything is safe inside. But there’s no laughter from the staff to keep us company. There’s no cheering and excitement from one of our bridal suites when a bride finds her gown. There’s no hustle and bustle of making a dream come true and keeping the company rhythm flowing. And it just feels wrong.

We’ve been in the wedding industry for over 20 years. Every day has happiness and often craziness as well. Saying you become addicted to the happiness high probably isn’t far from the truth! And when it’s missing I never realized how hard we would feel it’s absence. We miss you. Of course we do. We miss the calls and the questions. We miss our girls every single day. Group chats keep us in touch. But physical separation when we’ve been together for so long. It’s not something we ever thought we’d have to deal with.

I tell you this, and if you don’t believe me, I’ll explain. I’ve had three stints in the hospital – two when I delivered my babies, and one for abdominal surgery. The women I call my friends and family at work held my babies at 2-3 days old because I left the hospital and stopped at work before going to my actual home. For the surgery, I was in the hospital for a week, which made me stir crazy despite the drugs. But still, I was back the following week. Even if my capabilities were extremely limited. Because I didn’t know what to do with myself otherwise.

We’re addicted. No joke. To the laughter, the love, the happiness that exudes from our building. You can feel it when you walk in the doors, it’s like a muscle memory for a house. You open the door and walk into a place that 15 women call their home, where we take care of each other when you need a shoulder, and celebrate when life hits a high note.

So how has a global Covid-19 pandemic affected us? It left a hole in our hearts. But it also gave us perspective. It gave us incredible time with our families. It gave us a break we would never have taken on our own. And sometimes, the separation is necessary to know that when we open the doors again, we absolutely do what we do for love. To fill happiness in others at a time they’ll need calm support and also unbridled excitement. To nurture love that you can almost physically touch.

From the bottom of our hearts – we can’t wait to see you again.

– Meghan and Stacey