What to Expect, Bring, and Avoid at a Bridal Consultation

As a follow-up to my last post about my David's Bridal dress shopping experience, this post is going to be all about what to bring, expect, and avoid at a bridal consultation. I've watched countless Say Yes to the Dress episodes over the years, and in some ways, it's not that far off...just less cameras, drama, and generally less staff helping you out! 

What to Expect

* Depending on when the consultation is, the store can be very busy, so you should expect to have to be patient at times. It's not really all that much to ask for since there are so many beautiful dresses to look at while you wait. Even when you're in the fitting rooms, they provide iPads so you can browse through their inventory at your leisure. I brought a list of dresses that I had picked out from the website, and I am so glad I did because it provided my consultant with a clear idea of the style of dress I was looking for.

* Expect to be stripping down in front of your consultant! Those dresses are not exactly easy to get into, so don't think for one second that you'll be shimmying into them all on your own! The consultants do this for a living, so don't worry...they see half naked bodies all the time and yours won't faze them in the least. 

What to Bring

* Since you'll be getting half naked for your appointment, I would really recommend that you don't wear the wrong kind of underwear. What I mean by that is, you're going to want to either wear or bring a pair of undies that are discreet enough to hide underneath your dress. If you're wearing bright pink undies and you're trying on a light, form-fitting dress, you are probably going to be able to see your underwear and it will inevitably distract from your perception of the dress. 

* Make sure someone in your group brings a camera to take pictures of every dress you try on! I only tried on 6 dresses, but I can imagine after 10+, things would start to get confusing, so it's always good to have pictures to look at later when you're making the final decision. 

* I brought my wedding shoes with me to my appointment, but I didn't end up wearing them. Instead, I used a pair that they had in the store, which worked out better because they were much easier to get on and off between dresses (mine have tiny little ankle straps). In any case, I would recommend bringing your bridal shoes with you anyway, just so you can get a better idea of how they will look with your dress. 

What to Avoid 

* Wedding dress shopping is a very significant moment in a woman's life, and certainly a special event worth sharing with friends and family. However, that being said, it's important to not lose sight of what you want from your dress! Having the love and support of family and friends is absolutely wonderful, don't get me wrong, but if you've brought 10+ people with you for the appointment, it might get a bit overwhelming with so many opinions swirling around. At the end of the day, it's all about what you are comfortable with, so don't feel too badly if you can't invite every woman in your address book!

* If you have a price point, stick to it as much as you can. Wedding dresses can be VERY expensive, so if your budget is $900, don't bother trying on that $1500 dress unless you are fully prepared to hang it right back up afterwards! 
* Be considerate! Your consultant is there to help you, and your group is there to support you...but you can't be a bridezilla! If your bridal consultation is scheduled for an hour and a half, don't be difficult and stretch it out over your allotted time. Not only are you making your consultant late for her next appointment, but you're also forcing the next bride to wait until you're finished. General rule of thumb: be considerate and avoid excessive demands. 

*Finally, avoid feeling guilty if you don't buy a dress. Finding the right wedding dress is a very big decision, so it really shouldn't be rushed. Even if you think you've found the right one, sometimes it's a good idea to step away from the situation and give yourself some time to think it over. Just because you don't make a purchase during your appointment, doesn't mean you won't ever buy a dress. It will all come in time, and you will find the perfect dress! 

Wedding Dress Shopping

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a lovely weekend because I know I certainly did! After having to re-schedule due to a cold a few weeks ago, I finally went to David's Bridal to try on wedding blessing dresses! Initially, I will admit I wasn't completely sold on the whole ritual, but now I am so happy I went and really excited about finding a dress! 

I am so thankful that my mum and aunt drove up from Kingston for the appointment, along with my mother-in-law and grandma, who came from Richmond and Kanata respectively! It was really special for me to have them all there, and I really appreciated their support and insight.

When we arrived at the bridal store, I was surprised to see quite a few groups of people all huddled outside waiting for the doors to open. I guess I hadn't expected it to be so busy at 11:00 am on a Sunday morning! Since we had arrived about twenty minutes early, we took the extra time to grab a coffee, before returning to the store for the appointment. Unfortunately, this is when my mum discovered that at some point earlier that morning (likely when they had stopped for gas), she had lost her bank card! Luckily, my mother-in-law was kind enough to offer to take my mum to the bank and sort the whole thing out, so they left just as soon as we signed in for our appointment at the front desk. Since it was so busy, they had us browse around through the racks while we waited for our consultant to call my name over the intercom. After about 10 minutes, we met with the consultant and headed back to the fitting rooms to start the appointment. 

I had done my research, so I actually came prepared with a list of my favorite designs featured on their website, complete with style numbers to make them easier to find on their inventory system (those of you who know me well enough won't be surprised by this!). I tried on 6 dresses in total, but was feeling really anxious since neither my mum or mother-in-law were there to see the first 4 that I tried on. I was thankful I wasn't alone, but I was starting to get pretty anxious that they were going to miss the whole thing. Thankfully, they arrived, and I was SO happy to see them standing there when I stepped out of the fitting room with dress #4 on!

There were so many beautiful dresses in the store, and it was a bit overwhelming at first, but I must say, the consultants are very knowledgeable and helpful! Of the 6 dresses I tried on, it was pretty easy to nix three of them right away, but once we narrowed the decision down to two, things got a lot more difficult! We didn't end up buying a dress, but I'm not the least bit upset, because first of all, I know that we will, and second of all, I really needed some time away from the bridal store to process everything and really think about exactly what I wanted anyway. 

After I got changed back into my regular clothes, the five of us headed over to Scores for some much needed sustenance! There aren't a whole lot of choices when it comes to restaurants in the Trainyards, but Scores is actually a pretty great place to go! They are kind of like Swiss Chalet to me, in that they both pride themselves on rotisserie-style chicken. In any case, the food was great and it was nice to sit down and relax a bit! Once everyone finished eating, my mum and aunt left to drive back to Kingston and my mother-in-law drove me back home to Ryan and Rocky! 

Now that I've looked at the photos over a hundred times and had the chance to sleep on it, I am much more decided about which dress I want! That being said, I don't have another appointment until mid-December, so we'll see if I'm still in love with my current choice when I try it on again! I never thought I would say this, but patience and time will really be the determining factor here! Of course, there's always that gut instinct, but I honestly think that if it's the right dress, I'll love it and know it's the right one when I try it on again in a few weeks! I am VERY excited to try it on again, that's for sure!

I am so happy that we went to David's Bridal to try on dresses, and I would highly recommend the experience. I'm planning on doing a follow-up post about what to "expect, bring, and avoid" at a bridal consultation, so stay tuned for that! 

Wedding Weekend Activities

Good morning! I hope everyone had a nice weekend! Despite the rain here in Ottawa, I had an amazing weekend, which centered around wedding related activities on both Saturday and Sunday. The weekend kicked off with my wedding shower, followed by the Wedding Palace Bridal Show in Ottawa on Sunday, where Ryan and I picked up lots of goody bags and signed up for plenty of contests!

The spread! Beautiful and delicious!

After moving some furniture in preparation for our move at the end of the month, I headed to Kingston with my mother-in-law, her sister, and their mum to attend my wedding shower. Even though driving conditions weren't ideal, it was a really fun car ride, both to and from Kingston!

My mum planned the event for weeks and put so much love and attention into every little detail! We arrived right on time and headed into my parents house to join the party. The spread was fantastic and the house was perfectly decorated for the shower. I had such a wonderful time chatting and catching up with everyone in attendance. There were plenty of fun wedding shower games and prizes to be won, and everyone had a really great time! 

Cutting the cake!

The party was such a whirl of excitement that it felt like it all went by so quickly! The cake was beautiful but with everything else going on, I barely had the chance to have more than two bites of it! 

Beautiful women: My mum, aunt Rebecca, and aunt Linda

I tried to spend a bit of time with each guest, and it was so lovely to be able to see so many wonderful people. I am so appreciative of everyone's love and support! It's so easy for life to get in the way and make it difficult to spend time with family and friends, so being able to see so many people, some of whom I hadn't seen in years, was a really special treat!  

Oldest and dearest friends! Me and Jen!

Thank you to everyone who came to the wedding shower, and also to those who were unable to make it but still sent their love! I am so grateful to have such incredible family and friends and I love you all dearly! I will cherish these memories (and your insightful wedding advice!) for many years to come!

Married!

I am officially a married woman! 

After finishing work on Thursday evening, I headed downtown to meet up with my aunt and Ryan for a late dinner and to pick up a few things that my mum had sent ahead with my aunt. We ended up choosing D'arcy Mcgee's, primarily due to it's great location right by the Parliament buildings, and near both The Lord Elgin and The Chateau Laurier. After dinner we headed back to our respective hotels to rest up for the wedding on Friday morning.

Ryan and I both woke up fairly early on Friday morning, so we had plenty of time to relax and get ready at our leisure. Since we were staying at the beautiful and very swanky Chateau Laurier, I certainly wanted to make the most of it! Ryan had picked up a bottle of champagne the night before so we got to enjoy a glass (well, two for me!) before heading over to the courthouse to meet our families.

The civil service was just lovely, and our officiant was so kind! She did a wonderful job at relaxing us both with her funny sense of humor! The room was just the right size to fit in both our of parents, and four brothers. After we said our vows we had our mothers act as witnesses and that was it! We were officially married!

Since we had about an hour and a half before our lunch reservations at The Lord Elgin, we all headed over to the park across the street to take some photos. We were joined by Ryan's grandparents and two of my aunts at this point. 

About half an hour into taking pictures, I realized that in all the excitement, I had completely forgotten to bring my bouquet! Luckily, the hotel wasn't too far away, and our brothers all volunteered to go pick it up for me. Once they returned, we were able to finish taking pictures..this time with the beautiful bouquet! 

Just before noon, we all walked over to The Lord Elgin for lunch, where they had set up a private room for us. The decor, service, and food was amazing! I had the butternut squash ravioli and Ryan had the duck poutine. We heard lovely heartfelt speeches, followed by a fun game of "He Said/She Said", and got to enjoy lots of quality time with family! After our main courses, Ryan and I got to cut the cake as tradition dictates. 

We had dessert and coffee, and then it was time to thank everyone and say our goodbyes for the day. After everyone headed home, Ryan and I went back to the hotel for one more night before checking out on Saturday morning. Everything was just perfect and we are so thankful for everyone's love, support, and generosity! 

Spa On A Budget

So it's only two days until my wedding, and I wanted to write a little blurb about how to have a relaxing spa day (or couple of hours) on a budget. Since our ceremony is first thing in the morning, I'm planning on taking an hour or so today, and an hour or so tomorrow to get my spa on! 

Face

Instead of paying the big bucks and having a facial at a professional spa, I'm doing a simple at-home facial, using a single-use package I picked up from the drugstore. Before applying my mask, I used St Ives Green Tea Exfoliating Scrub, to unclog my pores and buff away any dead skin cells. After rinsing, I applied my stress-relief mask and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Using cool water, I rinsed off my mask and applied a simple witch hazel toner. To finish, I applied Nivea eye cream and CeraVe moisturizer.

Mid-range suggestion: Caudalie Instant Detox Mask ($39.00) or GlamGlow Flashmud Brightening Treatment ($76.00). Both available at Sephora. 

Hair

Last night, when I got home from work, I used some AG leave-in conditioner on my hair and let it sit overnight. Since I have fairly thin hair, I didn't apply the conditioner treatment to my roots, and instead focused on my ends. This morning, I used Herbal Essences Mint cleansing shampoo & conditioner to make sure I didn't have any leave-in conditioner residue on my hair. My plan for tomorrow is to use my Kevin Murphy purple toning shampoo, followed by my Kérastase Chroma Riche hair mask, so that my hair will be soft and shiny for Friday!

Mid-range suggestion: Living Proof Restore Hair Mask ($52.00). Available at Sephora.

Body

Before getting in the shower to rinse off this morning, I applied a home-made body scrub (honey, brown sugar, and olive oil) to exfoliate my skin. Since I'm using a self-tanner, I made sure to focus on scrubbing my elbows, knees, and ankles. Once I rinsed off, I applied my Jergens Natural Glow self-tanner and let it dry a bit before getting fully dressed. 

Mid-range suggestion: Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish ($45.00) and Tarte Braziliance Face & Body Self Tanner ($47.00). Both available at Sephora.

Nails 

So, I have to admit that I will be getting my nails done professionally tomorrow morning. I had originally planned to do them myself, but decided that ultimately, I really wanted to have at least one pampering service done for the big day. After all, I'm getting married and that's not something that happens every day! If I were to have done my nails on a budget, I would have used my sugar scrub to exfoliate, followed by coconut oil as lotion, and I would have applied my nail polish myself. 

I personally think that it is incredibly important to set aside time to relax and recharge. Treating yourself to a few spa hours every now and again is great, but it doesn't mean you should have to shell out hundreds of dollars either! That's why I love all the creative budget spa ideas out there! Of course, splurging a bit here and there is fine too, but if you're having a facial every week, the cost can add up really quickly! Thank goodness for DIY scrubs and affordable spa products at the local drugstore! 

I Need Your Help Choosing My Wedding Hairstyle

Lately I've been putting a fair bit of thought into hair. I guess it all started when I realized that I am completely torn between wearing my hair down and wearing my hair up for my wedding this Friday. Wearing my hair down is definitely more in my comfort zone, but the style of my bridal outfit would look really lovely with an updo. Since our ceremony is first thing in the morning, I'll be having to style my hair myself, which ultimately means I'll need to decide on a style that isn't too stressful or difficult to achieve. 

On a daily basis, I usually wear my hair down, which means that I don't have a lot of practice doing updos at all. That being said, I have been putting a bit of practice in lately, and experimenting with low buns and dutch braids. There are so many things to consider, like whether I should do an off-center or a middle part, loose or tight curls, incorporate flowers or no flowers. One thing I absolutely need to keep in mind, is that it is going to be HOT. I've checked the weather forecast and as of right now, it's going to be about 30 degrees, and as usual here in Ottawa, quite humid. 

I will be completely honest and admit that whenever I see women walking around with silky smooth straight hair in the summer, I can't help but feel envious! There are plenty of things I love about my hair, but the way it tends to look after an hour or so in the heat, is not one of them.

In any case, all this adds up to is a bridal hairstyle that has a very big job to do! 

• If I wear my hair down, it'll be easier and less stressful to achieve, but will it stand up in the heat and humidity?
• If I wear my hair up, will I be able to make it look just right within the limited amount of time I have to get ready before the ceremony? 

Luckily I still have a few days to experiment and figure out exactly how I would like to have it on the big day! 

I would love any suggestions so please feel free to post your suggestions in the comments section below!

Throwback Thursday + Wedding Prep

Me and my mother 

For today's Throwback Thursday post, I wanted to have a picture of me and my mum! Judging by all the red we are both wearing, I'm guessing this picture was taken at my grandparents house over the Christmas holidays. The doll I'm holding must have been a freshly opened gift I imagine! 

I was very lucky to have my mum drive up from Kingston yesterday morning to spend a few hours here in Ottawa with me and Ryan. After she arrived, we had some tea and chatted a bit while we unpacked some of the things she had brought up for us. My mum is really quite skilled at sewing, so for as long as I can remember, I've gone to her for anything sewing related! Given my affinity for fashion design, I've had my mum's help with sewing on many, many occasions! 

Preview! Can't give away the whole
look before the big day!

The project my mum came all the way to Ottawa for was particularly special, since it has to do with my bridal outfit for next Friday! Rather than buy a pre-made bridal belt, I wanted to do a DIY project and pick out the sash color and embellishments myself. I can do a few basic stitches, but without my mum and her sewing skills, I can honestly say, my bridal belt would never have turned out! Along with sewing my bridal belt, my mum also brought up my bridal skirt, which I am SO excited about! I ordered it online so I wasn't sure about how it would actually look in person, but I was not let down at all! 

Even though it was only a short visit (mum left at 2 pm to drive back to Kingston), it was a really lovely way to spend the morning! I love that we live fairly close to both my parents and Ryan's parents, but it's still such a treat when we actually get the chance to spend time together! Getting my bridal outfit ready with my mum was really special to me and I am so happy we were able to do it together! 

What To Wear: Mother-of-the-Bride

Weddings can be both incredibly joyful, as well as highly stressful. Aside from the bride and groom (and officiant), the mother-of-the-bride is arguably the person with the most important role to play. As mother-of-the-bride, the duties may seem endless, and emotions may be overwhelming at times, but the love and support you bestow on the newly-wed couple is a truly invaluable blessing. 

When it comes to what to wear on your daughter's big day, things can get tricky as you try to dress according to color-scheme, while striving to avoid looking too matronly. 

So, in the second installment of my What To Wear (Wedding Edition) series, I'm offering up suggestions for mother-of-the-bride (formal) dresses designed to compliment 5 different body types. In this post, all dresses are available online from Anthropologie BHLDN. 

From left to right: Column - Hourglass - Pear - Inverted Triangle - Oval

First up, I've selected a rose gold column dress with delicate beading, draped sleeves, and a blouson bodice. The dress is a classic, sophisticated design in a fresh color, with elegant beading that invokes grace and glamour. The blouson bodice creates shape and enhances curves on a column body type, without being too revealing or too bulky.

Body Type: Column

Secondly, I've selected a convertible dress with a sweetheart neckline and a gold-flecked lace bodice. The dress can be adjusted with a number styling options, although for an hourglass body type, I would suggest going with cap-sleeves. The sweetheart neckline embraces your curves instead of hiding them, while the tulle skirt and cap-sleeves create balance for an elegant look.

Body Type: Hourglass

Next up, I've selected a classic tulle dress with a lace cap-sleeve topper. The gold-flecked lace topper draws the eye upwards, while providing balance with the fullness of the tulle skirt. The dress and lace topper are elegant, yet modest, with perfect balance for a pear shaped body type. 

Body Type: Pear

Next up, I've selected a wrapped-bodice, tulle dress with lace straps for the inverted triangle body type. The dress embodies elegance and sophistication, without coming across as too much. The wrap-front bodice embraces and supports your curves without covering them up, while the full skirt balances out the look. The lace straps provide a delicate touch, which compliments the texture of the tulle. 

Body Type: Inverted Triangle

Finally, I've selected a beautiful taffeta dress with a full skirt and a lace sequined bodice. The dress is the perfect mix of modern sophistication and classic grace, perfect for an oval body type. The intricate detail of the bodice draws the eye upwards, while the full skirt provides balance to the look. *Bonus: The dress has pockets!

Body Type: Oval

What To Wear: Outdoor Wedding

We are officially in the heat of wedding season! If you happen to be one of the lucky individuals who has received an invitation (or many!) to a summer wedding, congratulations! Attending a wedding can be a lot of fun, and celebrating the love and union of two people is a joyous occasion! 

When it comes to figuring out what you're going to wear to the wedding, things can get a bit tricky. You don't want to look like a bridesmaid, and you don't want to upstage the bride. You don't want to be too formal, but you also don't want to look too casual. Then you have to consider things like venue and weather. Will the ceremony and reception be entirely outdoors? Is the forecast predicting rain? Even as a guest, weddings can be stressful! 

So, in the first installment of my What To Wear (Wedding Edition) series, I'm offering up suggestions for how to dress for an outdoor wedding. All dresses and shoes featured in this post are available at Le Chateau. 

First up, I've got a bright fuchsia pink dress, paired with pink floral pointed toe pumps, and gold dangle earrings. The bright dress in a classic shape is bold, without drawing too much attention, while the floral heels add a fun and feminine flare to the look that's perfect for a garden wedding.

Secondly, I've got a rich purple chiffon strapless dress, paired with white ankle strap heeled sandals, and a chunky pearl necklace. The look is very classic and elegant, with the richness of the purple dress being offset by the delicate nature of pearls and white sandals. 

Next up, I've got a metallic look, featuring a rose gold sparkle dress, gold wedge embellished sandals, and a gold evening clutch. The look is elegant without being too fancy, while the mix of the rose gold dress with the yellow gold accessories is modern and fun. 

Finally, I've got a bold play on a classic silhouette. A black dress, paired with bright pops of color like fuchsia pink plays to the excitement and fun of a wedding, while maintaining the sophisticated tone of the look. 

Considering the venue is outside, you're going to want to focus on simplicity with a twist, while always maintaining your own comfort. Low heels, preferably wedges are a good choice since you won't have to worry about them getting stuck in the grass. Classic shapes with fun accessories offer a fun twist on traditional styles. After all, you're at a wedding! So have fun!

LookBook and Pinterest

Good morning! I hope everyone had a nice weekend! Mine was very relaxing, so I feel well rested and ready for the week ahead. I got to spend some great quality time with my fiancée, as well as do almost all of the household chores that I had on my to-do list. 

I also did two unexpected things over the weekend...I joined Pinterest (finally!) and made a LookBook account! I'm still in the learning process, but I'm very much enjoying both sites so far! 

On Pinterest, I've created two albums so far, one for Home and Decor, and the other for Wedding things. You can take a look at those here!

On LookBook, I've uploaded one look so far, but I'm really looking forward to adding more. I'm so impressed by how supportive and friendly everyone has been so far! Check out my profile here!

Happy Monday!