Don’t even think about your wedding dress until you’ve nailed down the venue.
That’s what bridal fashion expert Jessica Mulroney tells brides.
The wedding dynamo, who works with famed New York bridal boutique Kleinfeld’s Canadian location at Hudson’s Bay in Toronto, was in Vancouver recently to talk all things bridal.
“The one thing that determines a lot for a bride is where to get married,” Mulroney says, noting, in particular, the location will inform what type of gown the bride will be walking down the aisle in.
Mulroney, who is married to CTV’s eTalk host Ben Mulroney, son of former prime minister Brian Mulroney, is a well-known media personality and style maven in her own right. The mother of three is also a fashion strategist to Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau, helping the prime minister’s wife collaborate with Canadian designers to create looks that represent the country’s best.
But aside from her many roles, Mulroney spends most of her days helping women get ready for their big day. And the lightning-fast talker has a ton of tips for brides to-be.
For a destination wedding, Mulroney suggests checking out WeddingVacations.com. The website is a great source for brides, she says, because it connects them with wedding planners on the ground in their specific region. This means brides aren’t going blindly into an entirely new country trying to plan one of the biggest days of their life.
As for wedding planners in general, whether your nuptials are close to home or on a faraway beach, Mulroney urges brides to utilize extra help, and notes you don’t have to break the bank to do so.
“There are all different types of planners, at all different price points,” she says. “The reason I say that, is that planning a wedding is so difficult to do on your own. [As the bride] you already have so many things to take care of. It should be a very joyous occasion, so I would say if you can get the help, do it.”
Once the location is determined, it’s all about the fun part: finding the dress.
Mulroney highlights a few style trends for this year:
The “transformer” gown
Called that because it literally transforms into two different looks. Whether it’s a pant or dress underneath, the looks feature an airy overskirt that can be removed, thus transforming from one look to another with the simple act of removing the overskirt.
Floral gowns
Dresses with dramatic and somewhat-adventurous floral patterns are another fresh look this year.
Sleeved gown
A sophisticated choice with staying power. If you’re getting married in a Canadian winter, it’s all about keeping covered, but, of course, in a stylish way.
Illusion gowns
These dresses have strategically-placed lace sheer mesh material; they can come lined or unlined and can give the illusion that the wearer is naked underneath.
Whatever look brides commit to, Mulroney suggests really considering the dress – will it be one that you’ll look back at fondly? You don’t want to look back with regret – not at who your married (let’s assume that will never happen) but rather, what you wore.
“I always say be aware, that this is your moment as a bride, and if you steer too far away from a bridal look, you may regret the day,” warns Mulroney, who also urges women to start shopping about a year in advance, to allow for the dress to be ordered in and for at least three fittings.
This bridal stuff is serious business, so think ahead – not just about who you’re marrying, but what you’re getting married in.
Meanwhile, in other nuptial news, the team at the newly formed Hunt and Gather Collection, a bridal styling company for the bohemian bride, is getting set to launch. The new company, featuring wedding businesses with a common West Coast vibe, is holding a bridal fashion show on Sunday, March 20, at 2pm with looks from Gastown’s Union Bridal.
Check out HuntAndGatherCollective.com, for more information about a curated, boho-inspired wedding styling.
Follow Niki Hope on Instagram, and check out #westenderstyle for Vancouver fashion news and profiles.
