Your Wedding Day is made up of countless elements that fit together like treasured puzzle pieces – the venue, the flowers, the personalized décor…and, of course, the dress! Pearle Weddings & Events has been working closely with The Modern Bride since 2018. They are the only bridal boutique on our list for a reason; they make dreams come true! We sat down with TMB to talk about what to expect when selecting your dress.
At what part in the planning process should you start searching for your wedding dress?
TMB: To ensure you’re not feeling rushed with your decision-making, we recommend you begin shopping 8-12 months before your wedding and have your dress ordered approximately 8 months in advance of the big day. It can take 4-6 months for your made-to-order gown to arrive and several weeks in alterations to make it fit like a glove. While some designers can meet a tight deadline, giving yourself more time will save you from undue stress as well as any applicable rush fees.
Should you come to your appointment with a specific dress or style in mind, or is better to have an open mind?
TMB: It’s best to come with an open mind. 70% of Brides will leave with something they never thought they would select. There’s often a trial and error stage where we discover what styles best compliment your body shape. This is where Pinterest can be your best friend…and your worst nightmare! If you have a very narrow vision, you may be disappointed by how the look plays out in real life. That said, it’s never a bad idea to bring some ideas to your appointment so we can explore what you are naturally drawn to. Keeping an open mind often leads to finding your dress!
What other details are important to bring with you when selecting a dress? Should you have your venue and theme/décor already planned?
TMB: We find it’s best to have your venue booked first for two reasons – one: we’ll have a clear understanding of the timeline we’re working within; and two: the Bride is now envisioning herself at the end of one aisle in particular. The selection process can sometimes be a challenge on its own due to varying colour, size and fabric. We want Brides to save their energy for visualizing the final product — their dream dress — without having to worry about imagining where they will tie the knot. Having décor details understood is not imperative at this stage. Though some girls are very keen and have a definite vision, others want the dress to set the tone — and it often does! Some Brides even change what they previously envisioned their Groom or Bridesmaids wearing based solely on their wedding dress.
Who do recommend bringing with you to select your dress?
TMB: Less is more! Keeping it intimate – a smaller party of 2-4 trusted loved ones — ensures the focus is on style and feeling. Too many opinions can be overwhelming and confusing for the Bride. From our experience, the magic formula is Mom and Maid of Honour, both of whom will provide an honest opinion and seal of approval.
After putting so many brides in their dream dresses, what expert advice do you have to share?
TMB: Our expert advice is simple and straight forward: listen to your client. If she isn’t sure what she wants, don’t fret – she’ll give you a million clues! A Bride may think she wants a Boho look, but the “hang off your body” look may not be as suitable as a structured one. It’s important to listen and guide; they value our opinion and experience. For some Brides, comfort is paramount, while others are willing to suffer to show off their figures. Some want to indulge in delicious food and dance the night away, and the dress has to allow for that.
What do you love most about what you do?
TMB: That’s a tough one; there are many things! Bringing exciting styles to Brides; travelling to New York City and Spain; meeting some very cool fashion-forward girls; interacting with Brides at one of the happiest times is also a big perk.
The Modern Bride is run by mother-daughter duo Jess and Donna, who recently transformed the 3rd and 4th floors of the historic Petrie Building in downtown Guelph into a stunning boutique. With natural light pouring in through floor to ceiling windows, Brides and their companions are encouraged to take a sensory approach to dress shopping by touching the collection one gown at a time. A stylist is assigned to assist with the navigation process in a private or semi-private viewing area. Stuffiness and pretension, step aside! The Modern Bride is all about spectacular details, edgy styles and, above all else, reflecting YOUR personality.
If you are in the process of planning your dream wedding, check out Our Recommendations for Pearle Weddings & Events personal recommendations for florists, photographers, wedding cake specialists and other services to assist you with your planning. These companies or individuals have contributed to the success of previous celebrations at our venues and are able to make wonderful suggestions to complete your day.
The Modern Bride | Guelph ON