When it comes to wedding dresses the ‘it’s all about ME! ME! ME!’ attitude is encouraged. Nay, it’s essential. It’s the only garment that will follow you for the rest of your life, so you really ought to make it a good one.   

Lowon Pope, 117 Jefferson Ave. Toronto, 416-504-8150
Recently relocated to Liberty Village, this modern bridal shop is for the understated bride. Sure, exquisite details are plentiful, but rather than the ostentatious poof or incandescent beading, they require a second glance. Catch the new arrivals and delicious accessories on their blog.
http://lowonpope.blogspot.com/

Sarah Houston, 24 Hazelton Ave, Toronto, 416-921-8882
This new addition to the Yorkville bridal boutiques, Sarah Houston, has opened to major buzz. Houston designs each gown and there’s no shortage of delicate feathers, luxe ruffles and mermaid flare, ideal for the bride who knows it’s all about her. The added touch of lining the dresses in buttery soft silk, means brides can dance the night away in comfort.
http://www.sarah-houston.com/

Valencienne, 1104 Eglinton Ave W. Toronto, 416-781-6885
These one-of-a-kind custom creations start with your vision and end in the finest silk, taffeta, and lace. Going bespoke can cost you a pretty penny – Suzanne Rogers has donned one of these beauties, likening it to investment shopping – but man it’s worth it. Don’t let it deter you, but there’s no way to mute the painful piano ballad on their website. Just a word of warning.
http://www.valencienne.com/

Holt Renfrew, 50 Bloor St. W.Toronto, 416-960-2554
No, they are not launching a bridal department (that we know of!) but there are tons of gorgeous designer gowns here to choose from. While their not strictly bridal, they’ve got Hollywood premiere written all over them – not bad since there are only limited differences between the red carpet and the aisle. Get set up with a personal shopper so that you don’t trade the bridal shopping experience for combing the racks on a weekend.
http://www.holtrenfrew.com/holts/en/home/

Twobirds Bridesmaids, 927 Queen St. W. Toronto, 647-352-2473
Consider the headache of equipping your bridesmaids with matchy dresses hereby solved. With just one basic dress design that can be twisted, folded, and knotted into over fifteen different styles, each maid can play up her assets while staying uniform to the group. It’s the bridal equivalent of those 15-in-one American Apparel jersey dresses that were all the rage in 2007, but minus the creepy CEO.
http://www.twobirdsbridesmaid.ca/

Cabaret Vintage, 672 Queen St West, 416-504-7126
Remember that time Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier? Neither do we, but looking at pictures of her – The pomp! The circumstance! THE DRESS!! – makes us swoon like it’s 1955. For a dose of vintage princess bride, try Cabaret. A well-curated collection of all the sartorial bits that can make your wedding the old-world nostalgia-trip you’ve always dreamed it would be.
http://www.cabaretvintage.com/category/bridal/