Like many people out there, I find it hard to justify spending thousands of dollars on a dress that you’ll wear for one day. Sure, you want to look amazing and memorable and be completely happy with your dress but at what cost?
So I was quite intrigued when I heard about Your White Dress. This Toronto shop claims to offer over 2,000 new, designer dresses, all at $299. Sounds to good to be true doesn’t it?
Well, you tell me. Take a look at their gallery. Nothing in there catches my eye, I think all of those dresses are a bit plain, but maybe one of them is right for you. And if not, there are several other hundreds dresses to choose from.
As I’ve mentioned before, it’s too early for me to start dress shopping but once I am ready, I do plan on checking out Your White Dress, despite its less than wowing photo gallery. The store’s website overall is less than eye-catching, a sign that perhaps Your White Dress doesn’t quite yet get internet marketing and therefore might not be showing off its best or more recent wares.
Plus, it’s selling dresses for $299. That alone makes it worth I trip I think.
And where might that trip be? To 103 Orfus Road. Note that the store has unusual operating hours. It’s only open at the following times: Thursday 1- 9 pm; Friday 9:30 am – 6 pm Saturday 9 am – 6 pm Sunday 11 am - 5:00 pm. Maybe those hours help them save on staffing costs and explains in part how they can offer dresses for $299?
Anyway, if you’ve ever checked out Your White Dress, let me know!
Jan 30, 2009
My Anti-Wedding
Usually reality TV weddings are elaborate, wallet-busting affairs that are beyond the reach of most people (well, people who don't want to go into debt over one day). But on Sunday, Jan 25, TLC ran what could best be described as the anti-reality TV wedding. It was my own personal nightmare wedding.
It was called "A Very Duggar Wedding" and was focused on the wedding of 20-year-old Josh Duggar, the oldest of the 18 Duggar children to Anna, a Florida girl who he met while at a home schooling convention.
No, I'm not making this up. The Duggar family really does have 18 kids; 18 kids who are homeschooled, dressed similarly and broken of independent thought. Why yes they are fundamentalist Christians, however did you guess that?
Anna, meanwhile, is a Baptist and the wedding took place at her family's Baptist church. This, as her father happily told us, means that there will be no drinking or dancing at the wedding. He also informed us that all those wine references in the Bible are actually grape juice references. Now, it's easy to criticize the Bible but the one thing that it does have right is that people back then enjoyed their wine.
Now, these types of shows are always kind of creepy because you can't help but think, what kind of people are okay with a camera crew filming the lives of them and their children? But this show was extra-creepy because of all the emphasis put on "firsts". For example, Josh and Anna were going to share their very first kiss after they exchanged vows. We were told this fact some 20-odd times.
Much emphasis was also placed on the wedding night which was sort of treated like a dirty joke by some the family members while father Duggar give his son an instructional audio tape and a book that explained what one's wedding night should be like. It was made clear that the book did not contain pictures.
Oh, then there were the vows, such soul-crushing vows. Josh needed to promise to provide for Anna while she had to promise to follow his leadership because, as her father explained earlier, Josh is now essentially her owner. The couple also had to promise to leave reproductive issues in the hands of god. Because clearly the world needs more people who don't believe in evolution.
To be fair, while this clearly wasn't the wedding for me, Anna and Josh did seem very excited and happy about their wedding, as were Josh's parents. Anna's father on the other hand seemed more excited that he had the chance to educate TLC's audience about Baptists while her mother appeared not to be allowed to speak.
There was one aspect of their wedding that I did quite like. They were married at 7 pm and had most of their pictures taken before the actual ceremony. I'm in favour of this approach since then you are getting your pictures taken were you are looking your best. It also means that your guests don't have to wait around for hours between the ceremony and the reception. Shawn and I are planning on doing something similar, though we had this idea long before we watched "A Very Duggar Wedding".
It was called "A Very Duggar Wedding" and was focused on the wedding of 20-year-old Josh Duggar, the oldest of the 18 Duggar children to Anna, a Florida girl who he met while at a home schooling convention.
No, I'm not making this up. The Duggar family really does have 18 kids; 18 kids who are homeschooled, dressed similarly and broken of independent thought. Why yes they are fundamentalist Christians, however did you guess that?
Anna, meanwhile, is a Baptist and the wedding took place at her family's Baptist church. This, as her father happily told us, means that there will be no drinking or dancing at the wedding. He also informed us that all those wine references in the Bible are actually grape juice references. Now, it's easy to criticize the Bible but the one thing that it does have right is that people back then enjoyed their wine.
Now, these types of shows are always kind of creepy because you can't help but think, what kind of people are okay with a camera crew filming the lives of them and their children? But this show was extra-creepy because of all the emphasis put on "firsts". For example, Josh and Anna were going to share their very first kiss after they exchanged vows. We were told this fact some 20-odd times.
Much emphasis was also placed on the wedding night which was sort of treated like a dirty joke by some the family members while father Duggar give his son an instructional audio tape and a book that explained what one's wedding night should be like. It was made clear that the book did not contain pictures.
Oh, then there were the vows, such soul-crushing vows. Josh needed to promise to provide for Anna while she had to promise to follow his leadership because, as her father explained earlier, Josh is now essentially her owner. The couple also had to promise to leave reproductive issues in the hands of god. Because clearly the world needs more people who don't believe in evolution.
To be fair, while this clearly wasn't the wedding for me, Anna and Josh did seem very excited and happy about their wedding, as were Josh's parents. Anna's father on the other hand seemed more excited that he had the chance to educate TLC's audience about Baptists while her mother appeared not to be allowed to speak.
There was one aspect of their wedding that I did quite like. They were married at 7 pm and had most of their pictures taken before the actual ceremony. I'm in favour of this approach since then you are getting your pictures taken were you are looking your best. It also means that your guests don't have to wait around for hours between the ceremony and the reception. Shawn and I are planning on doing something similar, though we had this idea long before we watched "A Very Duggar Wedding".
Jan 25, 2009
The Berkeley Church
Tuesday, Shawn and I stopped by the
Located at
First the good news. The
Now, in all honesty the actual church part does show its age however, overall, the room is impressive. It has a 60-foot cathedral ceiling; original wood floors; 17-foot stain-glassed windows; two fireplaces; a large, ornate bar and a stage. There’s also a massive mezzanine and a small though adequate bridal suite.
The Field House, which opened in 2007, is smaller and plainer than the actual church however it’s brighter and more intimate. Its plainness also lends itself to more decorating possibilities. But the Field House’s real asset is its huge garden that contains a creek, a small bridge, a gazebo
and a “tree house” that’s complete with A/C and heat. And if that’s not enough outdoor space, there’s also a spacious rooftop garden off the large bridal suite.
Now the bad news. The
That price doesn’t include alcohol or an elaborate meal (it was three courses, nothing fancy) but it does include the venue; all staffing including an event planner and a mandatory security guard; linens; furniture; soft bar and post-wedding cleaning up.
For now the
Some basic facts about the
Capacity: up to 400 for a sit-down dinner in the church part; up to 150 in the Field House though you can set up a tent in the garden and grow that number
Rental fee: $3,500 Saturday; $2,800 Wednesday-Friday; $2,400 SundayTime:
Bring your own alcohol: Y
Outside caterers: N
Outdoor space: Y
Parking: N
Jan 21, 2009
Some Pretty Dresses
It's way too early for me to start trying on dresses but that doesn't mean I can't look and get ideas. The other day American wedding site The Knot sent out a newsletter that features "50 Dress You'll Love". They were right; some of the dresses they highlighted are lovely and I've featured them below.
You can see the full list here but only if you're a TheKnot.com member (membership is free and they do send out useful newsletters so you may to sign up).
Romona Keveza Couture
French net ball gown with crystal and organza flower details by Romona Keveza.
I don't know if I'd acutally wear this one but I like how it looks. There's a real fantasy quality to it.
You can see the full list here but only if you're a TheKnot.com member (membership is free and they do send out useful newsletters so you may to sign up).
Lazaro
Strapless, satin gown with a lace-accented bodice and hem by Lazaro.
I like the colour, the shape and of course the shine.
Strapless, satin gown with a lace-accented bodice and hem by Lazaro.
I like the colour, the shape and of course the shine.
French net ball gown with crystal and organza flower details by Romona Keveza.
I don't know if I'd acutally wear this one but I like how it looks. There's a real fantasy quality to it.
Monique Lhuillier
Corset sheath with an illusion neckline and a detachable tulle skirt by Monique Lhuillier.
Corset sheath with an illusion neckline and a detachable tulle skirt by Monique Lhuillier.
I love the skirt on this though I'm not crazy about the top, in paticular, the "illusion neckline".
Vera Wang
Metallic gown with draping and an Empire waist by Vera Wang.
This is another dress that I don't think I'd actually wear (not that I could afford it) but I do like how it looks, especially the top.
Metallic gown with draping and an Empire waist by Vera Wang.
This is another dress that I don't think I'd actually wear (not that I could afford it) but I do like how it looks, especially the top.
Jan 14, 2009
Let's Talk About Cakes
Actually, let's just look at pictures of some cakes and other yummy treats made by Just Temptations.
I'm also a fan of how the flowers look on this square cake.
The chocolate fountain. I hope to have one of these at my wedding. It will use the darkest chocolate that I can get.
This is an elegant-looking cake. I like how the flowers are used on it.
I'm also a fan of how the flowers look on this square cake.The chocolate fountain. I hope to have one of these at my wedding. It will use the darkest chocolate that I can get.
Jan 13, 2009
Pick A Date, Any Date…
“When are you getting married?”
I still don’t have an exact answer to this question but I do know that I want to get married in the summer of 2010 on a Saturday night. This is hardly an original idea.
Over 50 percent of weddings take place between July and September, with the vast majority of them on a Saturday night. Sure it’s cheaper to get married on a Wednesday night in January but to me that just seems like a decision that you’re going to regret.
If you’re like me and you want a summer wedding, book as early as possible, particularly if you have your heart set on a certain date at a certain venue. Ideally, it’s nice to be flexible, to be able to go to a venue and say, “Here’s the month(s) that I’d like to get married in. What do you have free?”
But if you are determined to get married on a specific date, try not to get too set on a certain venue, just in case you’re not able to get your way on both items.
Here are a few more tips on picking a date:
I still don’t have an exact answer to this question but I do know that I want to get married in the summer of 2010 on a Saturday night. This is hardly an original idea.
Over 50 percent of weddings take place between July and September, with the vast majority of them on a Saturday night. Sure it’s cheaper to get married on a Wednesday night in January but to me that just seems like a decision that you’re going to regret.
If you’re like me and you want a summer wedding, book as early as possible, particularly if you have your heart set on a certain date at a certain venue. Ideally, it’s nice to be flexible, to be able to go to a venue and say, “Here’s the month(s) that I’d like to get married in. What do you have free?”
But if you are determined to get married on a specific date, try not to get too set on a certain venue, just in case you’re not able to get your way on both items.
Here are a few more tips on picking a date:
- Decide what’s more important to you and your other half: the perfect date or the perfect venue
- There’s much debate on whether picking a long weekend is a good idea or not. I say that unless it’s a destination wedding, don’t schedule your big day on a long weekend, it’ll annoy too many guests
- Having your wedding on or around certain religious holidays might also annoy your guests so if you’re friends with or related to believers, check the appropriate religious calendars before picking your date
- But if it’s soccer that your guests worship, make sure to not schedule from June 11, 2010 to July 11, 2010, when the World Cup is in progress
- Planning an outdoor wedding? Then you might want to pick up a copy of the Farmer’s Almanac
- If you’re trying to save cash, pick a day in January-April, the wedding low season
- More cash can be saved by picking any date other than Saturday
Jan 11, 2009
My First Wedding Show
Last night I checked out my first wedding show, Canada’s Bridal Show and I was pleasantly surprised.
I have to admit that I went in with low expectations. I expected too many people, too many photographers and too many aggressive vendors. And while there were a lot of people, there was also a good mix of vendors and the only aggressive ones were a couple of tuxedo rental companies.
I picked up a ton of stuff: free magazines, free re-usable bags, two free (though kind of crappy) wedding planners, free chocolate, cake samples and of course plenty of brochures and business cards. I also got a lot of ideas when it came to photographers, invitations and cakes. There are some very talented people out there and I think it’s going to be tough to make decisions in those areas.
DJs and limo companies were well represented (not that I have an interest in either of those) and there was also a number of men’s attire companies that were offering some great deals on tuxedoes and suits.
Speaking of which, many of the vendors did offer show specials, usually in the 10-25 percent off range. Because of that, I’ll likely be checking out one of the big fall wedding shows when I’m ready to start booking vendors.
I was surprised though at the lack of florists and wedding dress designers. While both categories were represented, I found that they weren’t represented enough. While I likely could have found my invitations, photographer and cake at the wedding show, there’s no way I would have found my flowers or dress there.
But if I was looking for a banquet hall or a golf course as my venue, I had plenty of choices to pick from. However, more “off-beat” types of venues weren’t really represented at all though I’m not surprised at that. These wedding shows at generally aimed at people who want weddings that are closer to traditional than original.
That’s not to say that they are a waste of time if you want a wedding that’s more “original” than “traditional”. Most weddings, regardless of their overall feel, have the same elements and many of the vendors at these shows are more than happy to bend to your particular vision.
A few basic hints for surviving a wedding show:
- I might be stating the obvious here but any discounted time period (last night it was 2-for-1 after 5) is going to be busy
- I’m told that Friday night is the best night to go if you want to avoid crowds
- if you want to enter all the contests, print up some address labels
- in addition to wearing comfortable shoes, were comfortable clothes such as a t-shirt and a lightweight jacket (though there is generally a coat check)
- if you’re determined to watch the fashion show, grab a chair early (though from what I saw, the fashion show was nothing remarkable)
- don’t worry about bringing a big bag, you will get plenty of bags at the show
- don’t go with more than four people, you’ll just lose them
- do bring the groom, there were plenty of guys at the show I was at
Jan 8, 2009
The Budget Part I
So you’re officially engaged. You’ve told your family, your friends, updated your Facebook status and even picked up a couple of wedding magazines. Now you’re ready to start planning for the big day but where to start?
Well, that’s an easy question — start with figuring out your budget.
Why? Because your budget is going to dictate pretty much everything else: your guest list size, your venue, your decor, even possibly your date. And figuring out your budget early forces you to also figure out who’s paying for this wedding. True, that’s not a fun topic to explore but it’s better to sort it out now then $50,000 later, an amount that you assumed would largely be covered by your parents but turns out won’t be.
Coming up with that initial budget number is tricky, particularly if you only have a vague idea of what wedding things cost. So here, courtesy of our friends over at Wedding Bells magazine, is a breakdown of a few typical wedding costs, which they discovered through their 2008 survey:
* Reception venue = $7,063
* Bridal gown = $1,028
* Wedding bands = $1,489
* Photographer = $1,619
* Wedding cake = $327
* Florist/Decor = $865
(for the full survey results, go here)
Through their survey they also discovered that the average Canadian wedding costing $19,038 (hey, it’s better than in the US where the number’s at just under $29,000). Keep in mind that this number is a Canada-wide average, meaning it includes all the rural brides who get married in $500 Legions and have the ladies’ church group cater the dinner. For a Toronto wedding, you’re going to want to add in a few more thousand dollars to that amount.
You’re also going to want to add in more if you’re planning on having a big guest list (say around $120 a head) and if your dream day is one packed with course after course of food. For those weddings, I hope your parents are pitching in.
Of course deciding on a budget number and staying under that budget number are two very different things. We’ll talk more about both topics in the near future.
Well, that’s an easy question — start with figuring out your budget.
Why? Because your budget is going to dictate pretty much everything else: your guest list size, your venue, your decor, even possibly your date. And figuring out your budget early forces you to also figure out who’s paying for this wedding. True, that’s not a fun topic to explore but it’s better to sort it out now then $50,000 later, an amount that you assumed would largely be covered by your parents but turns out won’t be.
Coming up with that initial budget number is tricky, particularly if you only have a vague idea of what wedding things cost. So here, courtesy of our friends over at Wedding Bells magazine, is a breakdown of a few typical wedding costs, which they discovered through their 2008 survey:
* Reception venue = $7,063
* Bridal gown = $1,028
* Wedding bands = $1,489
* Photographer = $1,619
* Wedding cake = $327
* Florist/Decor = $865
(for the full survey results, go here)
Through their survey they also discovered that the average Canadian wedding costing $19,038 (hey, it’s better than in the US where the number’s at just under $29,000). Keep in mind that this number is a Canada-wide average, meaning it includes all the rural brides who get married in $500 Legions and have the ladies’ church group cater the dinner. For a Toronto wedding, you’re going to want to add in a few more thousand dollars to that amount.
You’re also going to want to add in more if you’re planning on having a big guest list (say around $120 a head) and if your dream day is one packed with course after course of food. For those weddings, I hope your parents are pitching in.
Of course deciding on a budget number and staying under that budget number are two very different things. We’ll talk more about both topics in the near future.
Jan 4, 2009
Upcoming Wedding Shows
It's wedding show season. I've never been to one and I know that some people hate them but as someone who likes crowds, lots of walking and contests, I think I might do okay at these things. I'll be sure to report back after I've checked one out.
The Wedding Show - The Carlu
Jan 9 - 11, 2009
"Toronto's wedding industry experts come together in an intimate, boutique-inspired atmosphere." That means that this smaller show will feature classy vendors who are out of my price range.
Canada’s Bridal Show - Metro Toronto Convention Centre
Jan 9, 2009 - Jan 11, 2009
This one claims to be Canada's #1 bridal show. I'm thinking of checking it out; it has some nice door prices like diamond rings (that I would sell).
The Total Wedding Show - International Centre
Jan 16 - 18, 2009
"The Total Wedding Show is the city's biggest bridal show, with over 350 wedding retailers and service providers in southern Ontario. Sample products, compare prices and see all the latest trends in bridal fashions for the entire wedding party." I'm also thinking of checking this one out. Brides get a free wedding planner package.
National Bridal Show - Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place
Jan 23- 25, 2009
Horrible website but brides do get into free to this show.
First Post
I got engaged in August 2008. My finance Shawn and I quickly agreed on two major things:
1.) we’d get married in Toronto
2.) the wedding would take place in the summer of 2010.
Since then I’ve started, and stopped, wedding planning multiple times. The reason for this is the lack of solid, usable, online wedding resources. Sure, there are tons of blogs and sites out there but I’m finding that most of them offer advice that is obvious, non-applicable to me or not really advice at all.
I want solid facts, numbers, names, opinions and reviews, both positive and negative. And I want that information to be relevant to me and my situation. I don’t have tens of thousands of dollars to spend on a wedding but at the same time, this is going to be my one and only wedding.
I want it to be nice and I don’t want to find myself looking back and going, “Damn, I wished I’d sprung for the….” I also want my wedding to at least be somewhat green and ethically responsible.
So I’ve decided to try and help fill this knowledge gap on “common sense weddings” with this blog. I hope you find it useful and let me know if there’s anything that you’d like to see me mention.
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