Montreal is a mecca for wedding dress shopping, with something for every bride, at every budget. Here’s where to find the best stores in and around the Montreal area

Finding the perfect wedding dress is a tricky task – but the sheer number of fantastic wedding dress stores in Montreal means you’re guaranteed to find the dress of your dreams.

From flagship designer stores to independent boutiques, from timeless classics to contemporary couture, and whatever your budget, there’s something for every bride.

If you’re after a beaded Jenny Packham gown that would make Kate Middleton envious or a vintage-inspired dress, we can help you find exactly what you’re looking for.

And not all wedding dresses are white! We’ve seen dresses in almost every colour. And what about this floral wedding dress that Briony wore for her day?! Beautiful, right?

Or this gorgeous dress that Dominique chose for her marriage to Matt?

This black wedding dress that Janis wore for her elopement with Ethan is also absolutely amazing and so unique. Doesn’t she look fantastic?

We also loved this stunning dress that Maud-Laure wore for her wedding at a private chalet in Bolton, Quebec.

We know that saying yes to a wedding dress can be both exciting and slightly terrifying. It’s going to be part of your big day, after all. And while most brides may have an idea of what they want their wedding dress to look like, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the options.

So, we asked brides which wedding dress stores they’d be happy to recommend to their friends. We then asked wedding vendors for the dress shops they thought were the best in the Montreal area, and we compiled a list of what we believe are the best wedding dress stores in Montreal.

We asked each store to tell us more about their services and, of course, to share their designs.

Wedding Dress Stores Montreal

Dream It Yourself

“Dream It Yourself is the first Quebecer concept store fully dedicated to unconventional, modern and creative weddings.

In our cozy space situated in the Old Port of Montreal, we will have the pleasure to welcome you and your family to present our fantastic collections of wedding gowns and accessories. Our unique gowns are ELEGANT, FEMININE & CONTEMPORARY.

We work with exclusive independent Canadian and French designers distributed for the first time in Quebec. Modern and Sophisticated, all the creations in our showroom aim to celebrate your personal style. We carefully selected our dresses to ensure that every bride finds something expressively her own.”

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Atelier Nüstyle

“Atelier NüStyle strives to offer the perfect VIP experience. Our concept Bridal Boutique was established with the sole purpose of providing future brides with a setting to feel beautiful and comfortable while choosing their dream dress.

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One-on-one service in a contemporary setting featuring high industrial ceilings, wine/coffee bar, and extra-large private dressing room. Our boutique allows the bride to bring numerous guests and family members to live this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Prior to each private appointment, dresses are carefully curated according to the bride’s preferred style and budget.
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With its exclusive collection from celebrity designer Yaniv Persy and many more, Atelier NüStyle is steering away from the traditional bridal boutique by offering a wide variety of styles, sizes, and prices in a very comfortable and relaxed space.”

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Galleria Della Sposa

“All of our gowns are handpicked with love to reflect the Galleria della Sposa bride. Looking for something unique? We also create our own Galleria della Sposa Privé Collection and offer made-to-measure haute couture wedding gown services, both of which are made in Canada. 

We believe that shopping for your wedding gown should be an intimate and memorable experience, one that is everything you’ve ever dreamed of. Dressing brides is our passion, and there is no greater joy for us than creating the perfect look for each bride. With that in mind, our boutique hours are always by appointment so that our talented bridal consultants can provide clients with a personalized experience. At Galleria della Sposa, our goal is to help the bride discover her personal style.

You are likely to meet Josie at your bridal consultation. Her warm smile and knowledge of bridal trends will guide you along your journey. And you will have the pleasure of working alongside Emanuele during your fittings. He will charm you not only with his Italian accent but also with his passion and attention to detail.  

It’s about personal experience.
It’s about attention to detail.
It’s about exceeding expectations.
It’s about luxury.“

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La Jolie Robe

“La Jolie Robe is a new boutique that was launched in April 2019 by owner Anne Marie Tabao. 

The concept started out solely as a dress rental service for formal evening wear in a small atelier in Vaudreuil. In February 2020, La Jolie Robe expanded into a storefront on 100 Harwood Blvd in Vaudreuil-Dorion and expanded sales and rentals.

In September of this year, La Jolie Robe became the newest retailer of sought-out wedding dress brands such as Essense of Australia, Stella York, Eddy K Italia and Christina Wu. The expansion goes further into catering to all women of different shapes and sizes, and now the boutique has over 3000 dresses, from wedding dresses, cocktail dresses, evening gowns, jumpsuits and children’s formalwear. Theboutiquee offers an amazing one-on-one experience with their clients and promotes a stress-free and fun experience for all.”

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Ma Cherie Bleue

“Ma Cherie Bleue is an intimate boutique designed to offer the best private, personalized wedding dress shopping experience. Established in 2015, the boutique is based in Rosemere, just a short drive north of Montreal. Founder and owner Nathale is an expert at discovering what each bride wants and needs to feel beautiful on her special day.

Every designer (Canadian and international ) is hand-picked by Nathale for availability at the boutique. Due to this, Ma Cherie Bleue strives to showcase unique and feminine gowns at an affordable price for brides of all budgets.

Come experience a fun shopping experience at Ma Cherie Bleue. Certainly, our beautiful bridal collections will sweep you off your feet! In addition, we carry bridesmaids’ dresses, flower girl dresses, mother-of-the-bride and groom dresses, wedding shoes, jewelry and accessories! So much pretty awaits you!”

Read our feature on Ma Cherie Bleue

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Di Carlo Couture

“Di Carlo Couture is an Haute Couture Bridal Shop located in Montreal’s Little Italy, capturing the essence of elegance and femininity that women seek.

At Di Carlo Couture the experience begins with a one-on-one consultation with the designer herself, Antoinette Di Carlo. With her keen taste for perfection and a sharp eye for detail, she and her team hand-craft every design with exquisite fabrics and precious resources, giving everything that is created her own special touch. Her natural ability to evoke glamour and sophistication continues to capture the eyes of many.

Di Carlo Couture is a favourite among Canadian celebrities and notables, including Jessica Mulroney, Cheryl Hickey, Vanessa Grimaldi, Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau and Country singer Meghan Patrick; a go-to for red carpet fashion during awards season. Antoinette’s work made the international stage on May 19, 2018, for the wedding of Prince Harry & Meghan Markle when Jessica Mulroney, Meghan’s best friend, wore a custom dress by Di Carlo.

Having been featured in publications such as Huffington Post, Vogue Italia, Wedding Bells, Dress to Kill, Canadian Press and Town & Country, Antoinette’s designs always leave clients confident and proud to be wearing the Di Carlo Couture label.”

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Bridalane

“Since 1970, Bridalane has been providing brides and bridal parties an unparalleled choice of gowns to suit their individual styles. From modern bohemian to classic elegance, we believe in the details – sparkling beadwork, floral appliqués, hand embroidery, dramatic backs and textured laces. 

Every woman deserves to be at her most beautiful on her wedding day; that’s why Bridalane’s wedding gowns are available in sizes 00 to 36 and a choice of colours, from classic white and ivory to a whisper of blush, champagne, or soft pastels the choice is yours. Accessorize your gown with a selection of veils in fingertip or cathedral length.

Bridalane’s bridal party collections capture the most current trends while keeping with the tradition of timeless design. Gowns for bridesmaids, mothers and flower girls are available in more than 115 gorgeous colours and sizes 00 to 30. This spectacular selection ensures every bride can find styles that complement the unique vision she has for her wedding.”

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Other Montreal wedding dress stores you may want to check out:

Boutique 1861

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Leila Haute Couture

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Ivoire Connection

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Boutique J’adore

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Bella Di Sera

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Flower Song

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Montreal wedding photographer Steve Gerrard only moved to Canada 4 years ago but has already photographed a wide range of gorgeous weddings in the city and throughout Quebec.

Originally from the UK where he was voted Best UK Wedding Photographer, he met a Canadian girl, got married and decided to relocate to Montreal with their 3 young kids in 2014.

Check out the video clip below, created by the fantastic Love Lux Films, showing Steve in action shooting a couple shoot in a very cool location in Montreal.

Steve recently chatted to Junebug Weddings about his approach to wedding photography. You can read the full interview below.

An Interview with Montreal-based Destination Wedding Photographer Steve Gerrard

With an incredible array of music photography experience in his pocket, Montreal wedding photographer Steve Gerrard has tailored his talents and channelled his passions into the distinctive style of wedding photography he uses today. From touching and intimate to comical and whimsical, he has mastered the art of documenting the full range of emotions present at a wedding. It was such a pleasure to take a glimpse into the mind of Steve, learning of how he found photography and what he strives to achieve in the future. You can’t help but get swept away by the charm of this skilled family man, nor can you avoid getting lost in his vivid, creatively composed imagery. And in case of any future correspondence with him, just know to keep the Game of Thrones spoilers to a minimum.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I’m Steve. I’m originally from Chester in the UK but moved to Montreal in 2014 and have already survived one Canadian winter so I’m doing well. I live here with my wife Evelyne and three small humans that we made together. We call them Elliott, Isaac and Jonas and they make us smile every day. I’m a huge music fan. I also love scuba diving, direct flights, Jack Daniel’s, countryside pubs, funky hotels, dark chocolate and sushi. I photograph weddings, portraits and bands.

What gets you up in the morning, literally and/or figuratively.

My wife’s annoying phone alarm! It’s my least favourite sound of the entire day. Once I’m awake though, I’m keen to make the most of the time I’m awake. I try hard not to waste time too much. I’m a very focused and driven person most of the time, but I also love just forgetting about work and spending time with the kids.

What really gets to you at weddings? Makes you emotional? Makes you laugh?

Since I’ve had kids I seem to have become stupidly emotional. I get choked up at The Simpsons sometimes! So if I’m shooting a wedding and see the emotions between family members or the couple I have to try to keep it together and hope nobody sees my eyes welling up. I can hide behind my camera at least! Speeches are usually the time that happens most. A really heartfelt and maybe unexpected line in a speech can really hit home. I’ve seen rooms where everyone is welling up, even the tough guys. But that’s what it’s all about right? People, relationships and love. That’s what counts.

What three photographers do you admire or who has inspired you, either in the past or right now?

1. Anton Corbijn
2. Rodney Smith
3. Joey L

Have you always wanted to be a photographer? If not, when do you remember knowing?

Not at all. Originally I wanted to be a rock star, but not being able to sing or play any instruments made that tricky, so I fell into DJing in clubs and that took me around the world for a few years. I’ve played to crowds of 50 people and to 93,000 people at Wembley Stadium, warming up for Oasis. So I kinda got close to being a rock star after all!

While I was doing all that travelling I wanted to really experience the places I was getting to visit. Places like China, Russia, Argentina and Indonesia that I may never get to go back to. I’ve always loved other people’s photography so I decided that if I bought a decent camera and taught myself how to use it properly I could explore the cities I was visiting and make photos as I went. Turns out, I was actually pretty good at that, and my love of music lead me towards photographing bands and concerts. From there, I started to see wedding photography develop into something truly creative and exciting, and I haven’t looked back.

Do you have any advice for beginning photographers, wedding or otherwise?

Trust your own eye. It’s ok to be inspired by other photographers, especially those outside of weddings, but then you need to almost forget all that and trust yourself. The only thing that makes you unique among a zillion other photographers is your own eye, your own brain and your own personality. If you don’t like shooting a certain way, don’t do it. Make images that excite you, even if you’re not quite sure why. There will be other people out there who feel the same way and those are your clients. Don’t be the cover band, be the original!

Favorite trick to capture images of reluctant subjects? (kids, grandparents, nervous-in-front-of-the-camera-types)

I tell kids (up to a certain age) that I have a goldfish that lives in my camera and keeps trying to get out. They look, wide-eyed into the lens as I click away and often tell me they saw the goldfish. With older kids, I tell them I think my camera’s broken and ask if they can check that the shutter opens when I press the shutter. I get my shot of them looking right into the lens, they say “yeah it’s what is working,” and I thank them and move on.

With adults, I just talk about any old crap to distract them, make them laugh, whatever. If I show people I’m not bothered about looking like an idiot, then hopefully they’ll realise they don’t need to take it too seriously and will relax and have fun. Most of my couple portraits are more about the couple being together and interacting rather than posing for the camera.

Describe an average day for you.

Most days I’m up by 6:30 getting the kids ready for school. Once I’ve been Dad for an hour I open the computer and check my to-do list, usually starting with some editing. I’m terrible for being distracted by social media so often I’ll use an app called SelfControl that forces me to focus without being distracted. I’ll choose some great music (I have a few Spotify playlists designed to soundtrack my day), turn up my Sonos speakers and aim to check as many items off my to-do list as I can before the boys come home. I save emails, etc. for later in the day because that can become a never-ending circle that stops me from getting to the jobs that matter most. I prefer to be creative early in the day anyway.

I’ll have two half-hour breaks to eat, read, make tea (I am English, don’t forget!), and do some chores. I’m hoping to learn French this year too.

My wife works at a school so I usually make dinner for everyone which is something that would have made her laugh two years ago when I struggled to make anything beyond a poor spag bol.

Evenings are for chilling with my wife, Evelyne, and a good movie or Netflix series. We’re almost caught up on Game Of Thrones. I also try to get out to see bands regularly. Montreal has a great music scene.

Any advice for couples who are looking for their perfect wedding photographer?

Realise that photographers can vary greatly. Keep looking until you find the photographer that gets you excited about having them document your wedding in their own way. And once you’ve found that photographer, trust them to do what they do. If you feel confident in the photographer you choose, you won’t feel the need to send them your Pinterest board or a shot list. And you can relax and enjoy the wedding, safe in the knowledge you’re going to have wedding photographs you’ll love for the rest of your life.

What are your favorite destinations locations?

To be honest, my favourite destinations are anywhere I haven’t shot before. I love travelling, exploring, seeing new places and cultures. I know my photography is at its best when I’m somewhere new and inspiring. In the past year, I’ve shot weddings in Croatia, Italy, South Africa, Iceland, the US, Mexico, the UK and Canada. Iceland was obviously incredible. Whichever direction you look there’s something to take your breath away. The second night I was there I saw the Northern Lights which was something I’d always wanted to see. I managed to get a shot of the couple with the lights in the sky behind them. Pretty amazing.

Where do you want to shoot next?

I’d love to shoot in Bali. Or India. Or California. Or the Rockies. Anywhere, really, though. Except maybe North Korea!

What changes/improvements have you observed within your photography over the years?

I think the best thing I’ve done is learned to shoot more and more for myself rather than always thinking about what the client expects. Of course there will be times during a wedding day that you’re taking photos purely for the client, but my philosophy is now that most of the images I take on the day are just myself trying to make the best images from the events happening in front of me, or in the way I’ve learned to anticipate images or to be creative with compositions. That keeps it interesting for me and encourages me to push myself to be creative throughout the day. And I know that if I continue to produce photographs that I’m excited about I’ll find the clients that are drawn to those types of images. I don’t need to appeal to every bride and groom looking for a photographer. I only want to shoot around 30 weddings each year, so I just need to find 30 couples who love what I do and are excited to have me capture their wedding for them.

Any direction you would like to take your photography?

I’d love to do more editorial portraiture. Maybe for magazines. I love the work of people like Anton Corbijn, Joey L, Annie Liebovitz, Rodney Smith, Danny Clinch, and Mark Seliger. I’d love to develop my own personal style a little more with those type of portraits. It’s something I’m hoping to push forward this year.

How do you know you’ve done a great job for your wedding clients?

I want my clients to be surprised when they see their wedding through my eyes. They will remember the day in a certain way already but then they’ll have a whole new perspective of it when they see my photos. As the years go by, their own memories will fade but their wedding photos remain and they slowly become more and more important. I also want them to remember how they felt, not just how things looked when they go through the images.

A huge thank you to Steve for his time, insight, advice and of course, those awesome Spotify playlists. To see more of Steve’s work or to learn even more about this whiskey and Coke enthusiast, head over to his portfolio.

Steve also photographs personal branding photography, headshots and editorial portraits in Montreal and throughout Canada.

Ma Cherie Bleue is an intimate boutique located in the heart of Rosemère, Quebec. Priding themselves on personalized customer service, they say they are experts at figuring out what our client needs, and giving it to them. We caught up with founder Nathale to find out more about this appointment only boutique.

Tell us a little about how Ma Cherie Bleue first started.

Six and a half years ago, I married my best friend, Maxime, who has not only loved me unconditionally, he has also encouraged me to fulfill my dreams.

Inspired by a shopping experience I had during our honeymoon in Paris the idea of Ma Chérie Bleue came into being. Paired with my 24+ years of combined expertise in retail business and creative fashion I was determined to create the superior shopping experience Montréal brides have been looking for in an intimate, charming setting. 

What were your goals for the company?

My goals for the company were to make it a “one appointment only” shopping experience. I didn’t want to just sell a dress and then ship the bride off, this is something you only plan to do once so I want to make sure we get it right for them the first time

How do you select which designers to stock?

Each designer is hand-selected by myself to join the Ma Cherie Bleue family. I look for designers that have a unique signature to their designs, a dress that is feminine and original as our brides who wear them. what is most important to me is that they be affordable and meet most budgets. Our wedding dresses start at $1390 with a few exceptions over $3800.

What are your personal favourite designers?

All the designers I carry are my favourites, each designer I carry has something special in their collection that makes them unique. We have something for everyone! We carry dresses for all types and shapes. Lis Simon is a Canadian designer that has built her line around today’s bride and affordability, Theia designed Meghan Markle’s gown, he caters to the non-traditional bride, Blush by Hayley Paige has a more whimsical, elegant feel, she uses tulle, lace, and delicate tones to fit a modern bride.

Allison Webb is the embodiment of elevated elegance. Alyssa Kristin is sleek and chic, Lillian Wild has beautiful separates that can be customized to your style, Ti Adora is beautiful, authentic and wanderlust, Sally Eagle is romantic and classic, Lena Meodyeff are handmade from all natural silk or one hundred percent cotton, coloured by natural vegetable and mineral dyes, and stitched by talented seamstresses, Anais Anette another Canadian, her dresses exude feminity, Astrid and Mercedes have a look of something old and something new. .. There are so many exquisite gowns and accessories by such talented designers it is impossible to choose only one. 

Describe a Ma Cherie Bleue bride

 A Ma Cherie Bleue bride wants to celebrate her authentic self. She is stylish, playful, and daring. She encompasses the Bohemian, the classic, the romantic, with an element of sexy that is refined. A maverick who is not afraid to redefining her own wedding traditions. 

How early do you suggest brides begin looking for a dress?

When it comes to finding “the one,” timing is essential. There are definitely wedding dress deadlines you don’t want to miss. Our designer’s lead time is 4 months, with the exception of a few that might take 5-6 months. I suggest brides shop for their dress 6 to 8 months prior to their wedding date, this will allow the bride to have time for fittings and accessorizing. However, there are always some exceptions and rush options for wedding gowns under 3 months.

How do you work with brides to make sure they find the perfect dress?

When we work with our brides our intention for the first appointment is to discuss the details; location, theme, and vision for the wedding, gown budget and colour and fabric preferences. We then introduce them to our dresses. They then get to select a cross-section of dresses that they can try on (with the opportunity to revisit any of their favourites at the end of the appointment)

In all of our appointments we are driven by our 3 FIRST: Our clients, our personalized service, and our exceptional quality — Always!

What would you say are the common mistakes that brides make when choosing what to wear for their wedding?

They want to please everyone else, mother, father, groom, bridal party etc…obviously the bride wants everyone to love her dress but she is the one wearing it for ”her” big day. It is important that the gown is a perfect fit in terms of her personality and style.

What changes have you observed with wedding styles over the years?

Some of my favourite changes for 2019 we have been observing are;  

Ultra feminine details like bows and pearls are the new modern contemporary interpretation of old classic make new again. They are found on dresses, shoes, accessories like capes and veils. 

High low and mini is another trend that’s making its way in the bridal dress industry for the alternative bride who wants to stay away from more traditional shapes such as full skirts and long trains. They offer an informal and playful approach.  

Separates are still holding strong. It’s a great way for brides to be creative if wearing a traditional dress is not your thing. This would be a combination of tops, skirts and yes ladies trousers. 

Lace, in general, has always been a wedding staple, but 3-D applique lace or character laces make a stronger statement because it has an impact. Especially when it’s a part of a blush coloured dress that enhances the beauty of the details. 

How do you know you’ve done a great job for your clients?

My brides are so important to me and we always check in with them and ask for pictures of their wedding! When we receive their pictures and their praise I know my job is done! When our brides come back with their friends or family members, when they send us referrals it lets me know I have achieved my goal and makes me love my job even more. Each bride becomes part of our MCB family.

Any funny stories from your time in the business?

On January 15th, 2018 I launched a campaign giving brides the opportunity to share their personal love story in hopes of earning themselves a free wedding dress from designers such as Hayley Paige, Anais Anette, Anya Dionne, Astrid & Mercedes, and Lea-Ann Belter. One of the contest winners, Amanda Harvey was pregnant at the time of the dress selection and couldn’t try on her dress but came to the store just the same and we just hit it off! We chatted like we have known each other for years. We have now become great friends, she is now a part of the MCB family as my social media manager and brand ambassador.   Elegant Wedding played a part in the success of the giveaway and wrote a beautiful spotlight on the giveaway https://www.elegantwedding.ca/ma-cherie-bleue-bridal-giveaway/

Where can people find you online?

You can find us online at macheriebleue.com where you can book an appointment to shop all of our beautiful collections and soon you will be able to shop for your dress on our website as well…stay tuned

Big thanks to Amanda and Nathale at Ma Cherie Bleue for their time.

Photos:
Studio 55
Yanick Lesperance 
Narsete Photography
Emile Olson Photography 
Martine L
Judith Gautier Photography 
Catherine Deslauriers
Bachmann Photography 
Alexandre Couture
R Cassette Photo

Le Wedding Mill is a wedding planning company in Montreal and is aptly named after its founder Michelle Mill. We chatted with Michelle about her business and how she works with couples to create a flawless wedding.

When did le wedding mill first begin?
le wedding mill launched in 2017, but its roots dig a few years deeper than that. I have always been drawn to planning events, from bridal showers to retreats to galas. Over the years, I had had the privilege of being a bridesmaid several times and loved every minute of the experience. I was particularly excited about helping with the little design details. I also loved being able to take their stress away by quietly handling any logistical issue that arose.

Eventually, I dove into the corporate event world, learning the ins and outs of hospitality, client relations and logistics. At the same time, my bridesmaids duties escalated to planner duties at some of my friends’ weddings, then eventually I was helping friends of friends and so on. In 2017, my wedding season was shaping up to be a busy one and thus, I faced an exciting but frightening dilemma: Should I keep the security of my corporate job or whole heartedly pursue my dream of becoming a wedding planner? Needless to say, I took the leap and haven’t looked back for a minute. We are now a small but very mighty team of two, with a group of lovely helpers that lend a hand on event days.

How would you sum up your approach?
As our tagline aptly states, we offer a fresh and fun approach to wedding planning. It’s no secret that planning a wedding is stressful. There are so many moving parts to think about, not to mention the emotions involved. At le wedding mill, we are very aware that our clients are busy, which is why our planning process is streamlined and efficient. We take the stress out of the equation so that our couples can actually enjoy their engagement and focus on the fun parts of wedding planning.

What challenges do you usually face during a wedding day?
As there are so many moving parts in a wedding, the biggest challenge that we face is keeping everyone and everything moving at the same pace! For example, if hair and makeup take longer than expected, we need to make that time up elsewhere to ensure that the ceremony isn’t delayed too much, leaving guests in their seats for an extended period. Fortunately, we tackle this challenge by padding our timelines with extra time at specific key moments.

Another classic challenge that we face, one that we have not yet figured out how to control, is weather. Many of our couples have an outdoor component to their wedding, be it the ceremony, cocktail or the entire event. We monitor weather closely and always have a solid plan for inclement weather. 

What are the differences between a wedding planner, a coordinator, a designer, and a venue coordinator?
This is a very important topic as there is a lot of confusion about these roles. To summarize, a wedding planner is your guide throughout the entire planning process. He/she will typically be responsible for keeping the planning process running in a timely manner, recommending and contacting vendors that suit your style and budget, designing the event, and managing the logistics on-site. Essentially, the planner does all the legwork – you make the final decisions. At le wedding mill, we offer full planning as well as partial planning services to accommodate couples who want to some of the legwork, but not all. 

A coordinator will step in later on in the process and tie all loose ends. He/she will confirm all the responsibilities with the vendors you have booked and will usually create your timeline for you. On your wedding day, a coordinator will be there to set up and manage the logistics. In this case, you do all the legwork and he/she will make sure it all goes according to plan. 

A designer focuses strictly on the aesthetic and visual aspects of the day. He/she will relay with the vendors who impact the design, such as the florist or the rental company, and will set up the event so that it reflects what had been previously agreed upon. A designer will not; however, handle any logistics of the day and will usually sneak out well before the wedding starts!

A venue coordinator, though instrumental to the success of your wedding, is not the same as a planner, coordinator or designer. While every venue is different, a venue coordinator is usually responsible for ensuring that all-venue related tasks are being fulfilled. This can be anything from setting the tables to supervising the in-house caterer’s service times. In some cases, he/she will supervise the teardown of the event. However, there is a misconception that a venue coordinator will take on the responsibilities of one of the above-mentioned roles, which can lead to disappointment and frustration at the last minute. The best way to know for sure is to speak with your venue coordinator to find out exactly what they will and will not do on your big day.

What can brides do to help you to plan their wedding day in the best possible way?
Communication is key! We encourage couples to overshare so that we are aware of every detail, nuance and pet peeve. On the wedding day, we are the couples’ eyes and ears on the ground and want to make sure that their wedding dreams come true. Whatever information we have will help us run the day smoothly and manage expectations.

How early do brides need to think about booking their planner?
The sooner, the better! While all planners do their best to accommodate last minute requests, it’s not always possible on busier weekends. Our couples typically book us anywhere between 8 to 24 months in advance. 

Where can we find you online?
You can check out our website. We’re also on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest! 

Huge thanks to Michelle for sharing her insights with us here at MTL Wedding Blog.

Once you’ve exchanged vows, had some amazing food and had some beautiful wedding photos taken, it’s time for you and your guests to let your hair down and hit the dancefloor. Having an expert in charge of the music can have a huge effect on how great the party is and one of Montreal’s most-established DJ/MCs is Stefan Jez from Uptown Xpress.

We asked Stefan a little about himself and his approach to DJing weddings and what advice he had for couples planning their own wedding.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I’m married – 15 yrs this summer, we have a great 12-year-old son. I love animals, especially dogs! I am a huge Montreal Canadiens fan!

What made you want to become a wedding DJ?

I started DJing in high school. I have always loved music and lighting. As I got older I really found myself enjoying weddings more than any other type of party. Each wedding is always different and that is what I love about them. Especially in Montreal with our multicultural population, it’s really cool to see all the different traditions from so many places around the world. Also, at a wedding we can really focus on quality from an MC standpoint, making the reception be something special and unique that reflects the couple.

What do you think makes for a great wedding DJ?

My love and passion for what I do! Being a wedding DJ is very different than being a club DJ or a sweet 16 DJ. Weddings are a very different type of animal completely. What makes me different is that I have formal training in performance, staging, storytelling and being a Master of Ceremonies. In fact, I continually take performance workshops and attend industry conferences to keep learning and honing my craft. I care for each couple that I DJ for and want their wedding to be exactly what they imagined, and I will do anything to make that happen for them. My training and style are unique in Montreal, and because of that, the couples that choose me really get a different experience at their reception, something that is totally not cookie-cutter. I help extraordinary couples create extraordinary moments at their wedding.

How would you sum up your DJ style?

Open format. Being a wedding DJ, I need to keep all options open all the time. I play all genres, all styles, but add a little flair to them by mixing everything live.

As a wedding MC, my style is formal and classy. I look to use my MC skills to create an engaging, romantic and fun receptions for the newlyweds and their guests.

How do you work with couples to create the perfect playlist for their reception?

Music is a part of the planning discussions I have with each couple. Sometimes couples just want a “mood”, sometimes couples really love a particular style or genre. I take that information from them to help me curate the playlist that I will use for them. But again, a great wedding DJ is able to read a room, set a tone, and depending on what the desired outcome is, can adjust the playlist to achieve that.

The service I provide is much more than just music though. I also act as a coordinator for each couple during the reception. During the planning process, we discuss all kinds of ideas, what is important to them, what types of special moments can we create. I help each couple create their reception timeline and then I take care of making it happen. Acting as the MC I then set the room for each moment we create. Getting the newlyweds ready, their parents, and any other people who are about to be involved, I also coordinate with the other vendors like the photographer and videographer, this way, everything goes smoothly and nobody misses anything.

Describe a typical day for you when you’re booked for a wedding?

I start off with a really good breakfast! After that, pack the truck and head out to the venue to begin setup with my team around noon most days. Once our setup is done, we do all our testing and sound checks. We will then get changed into our suits and be fully ready at least one hour before guests arrive. During that time, we go over last minute details, coordinate with the maitre’d and anyone else we need to. During this time and throughout the entire day actually, we are taking pictures and video to post to social media too.

At the end of the reception which typically is anywhere from 1-3am, we then tear down all the gear, pack it back up and finally get home between 3-5am!

One thing that a lot of people don’t realize is that there is a lot of preparation that goes into every wedding I work. It is not just the hours of performance on the day. Because of the level of detail I get into with each couple, I spend anywhere from 20 to 25 hours preparing for each wedding. Writing scripts, working on their love story, making custom audio recordings and of course music preparation.

What tricks do you have to motivate a crowd if nobody is dancing?

First step here is to be paying attention because even if they are not dancing, they still might be having an amazing time. There are moments during a wedding reception, like the midnight table when people want to take a small breather, get some more food, sit for a bit, then get back to dancing. You can’t always force the dance floor. But for those times when the crowd is a little bit shyer or reserved, I will get out onto the dance floor with the newlyweds, and start some sort of interactive dance. This way I can have the couple gather some people and create some momentum.

What’s your go-to song to really get the dancefloor rockin’?

Danza Kuduro by Don Omar

What’s your favourite first dance song?

From This Moment – Shania Twain and Bryan White

And what’s the craziest first dance song you’ve played?

Radiohead – Pyramid Song

What are your thoughts on song requests?

Bring them on! Of course, I take requests, it’s part of being interactive with the crowd! Weddings have the widest range of ages and musical tastes, taking requests helps us throughout the night to fine tune what they want to hear.

Here’s a trick I use as well, during dinner, I’ll go and ask some of the older couples for any song requests, this is because often they’ll tell me their wedding song, which is something I can then play during dinner or a slow dance segment.

What do you do if a song has explicit lyrics?

As a wedding DJ, I subscribe to several music services, these provide clean edits of most songs. I will not play songs with explicit lyrics at a wedding.

What advice would you give to couples who are considering a DJ for the wedding reception?

Don’t wait until 6 months before your wedding to book a DJ! 10-12 months out will increase your chances of booking your first choice!

Meet with the actual person who will be your DJ or MC. You need to be a good fit!

Look for proof! Videos, pictures, reviews, testimonials. As for videos, not just video of people partying, videos of the DJ or MC actually performing.

You should feel that the DJ cares as much as you do about your wedding.

Remember that a wedding DJ is not only there to play music. There are so many little things that happen behind the scenes throughout the night that a great DJ or MC can make or break the event.

Which are your favorite Montreal wedding venues to play at?

There are so many amazing venues in Montreal, but Riviera and Le Crystal are two of my top favorites.

How do you know when you’ve done a great job?

As an MC, I know I’m doing a good job when guests come up to me during dinner and ask me if I am related to the couple! Because of the work I put into getting to know each couple I collaborate with, and the storytelling skills I use during the reception, many guests assume I have known them for years!

As a DJ, I know when we’re doing a good job when people are happy, and enjoying themselves. And no, it doesn’t necessarily mean a full dance floor. Some weddings are more the drink, talk and a little bit of dancing type, but they are still having an amazing time. Of course, there are plenty of weddings where the dance floor is packed the entire night too!

Where can people find you online?

www.uptownxpress.com

www.upxvideos.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/uptownxpress

Instagram: @stefanjez

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/uptownxpress/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/uptownxpress

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanjez/

Big thanks to Stefan for taking the time to answer our questions. Also, check out Stefan’s super useful guide to wedding DJ pricing in Montreal.

Choosing the perfect wedding dress is almost certainly the element of the wedding that all brides spend the most time and effort on. It’s a dress for one day and one day only, and every bride wants it to be perfect in every way. Luckily, Boutique Oui, je le voeux can help.

Boutique Oui, je le vœux on Plaza St-Hubert in Montreal is not like your average wedding dress store. Being more conscious of the environmental and ecological system, they have adapted to the virtues of recycling. Several years ago, Isabelle Leduc opened an adorable, romantic boutique specialising in the sale and rental of recycled wedding gowns.

We caught up with Stéphanie Khalil from Boutique Oui, je le vœux to find out more about this forward-thinking approach to wedding dresses…

When did Boutique Oui je le voeux first begin?

The Boutique Oui je le voeux first opened 25 years ago at 6600 St-Hubert street in Montreal. It is now located in a bigger store at 6924 St-Hubert Street.

What were the aspirations of the company when it began?

The concept of Boutique Oui je le voeux was actually created while Isabelle Leduc, the founder of the store, was finishing her studies at College Lasalle, where she developed the idea of owning a boutique of wedding gowns. She was always very conscious of our environmental and ecological system, so she decided to apply the principles of recycling to wedding gowns. With hard work, dedication, and an amazing team of friends and family, Isabelle opened her romantic boutique called Oui je le voeux… specialising in the sale and rental of recycled wedding gowns and other accessories such as veils, tiaras, bustier and jeweller; in short, everything you need to dress a bride from head to toe. Of course, throughout the years the concept has evolved, and there is now the option of buying new dresses from designers like Maggie Sottero and Essence of Australia (Stella York). Chantal Parizeau, Isabelle’s’ head seamstress and best friend since before the opening of the store, is now in charge of the boutique to carry on the values and the reputation of great service.

How would you sum up your style?

Besides the option of renting versus buying, there is not much that we do not have. We have styles for every bride’s tastes, going from mermaid, to princess to A-line, with lace, satin, bling or no bling. Since we have different designers, we strive to have a collection of different styles, that way, when a bride comes in for her very first fitting, she can try a style of each and be able to identify her preferences without having to go to 10 other stores.

What challenges do you usually face when helping to find the right dress for your clients?

Trying on dresses for the very first time is an emotional roller coaster. Let’s just say it, it’s the most exciting part for the bride next to wedding cake tasting! The only thing that mostly comes between a bride and the wedding dress of her dreams is …. her complexes. Unfortunately, a lot of our brides are more focused on what is supposedly wrong with their body, arms, face etc., than the dress. It comes to a point where it is easier for them to point out their flaws instead of the dress’s fitting. Our job is to remind them of how beautiful they are and, of course, as professionals, bring them dresses that will not only fit their bodies but their personalities as well.

What were the most popular styles for 2018?

Lace is still very present in 2018 which we are glad about because we love it! Compared to 2017, where very fitted styles were more popular, princess gowns are making a comeback! Only this time, long sleeves are added. That’s right, 2018 is about the combination of satin ball gowns with long lace sleeves. Now we are not saying that all the other styles are not trendy anymore. Mermaids are still an amazing choice to show our curves and sweetheart necklines are still appreciated. It is important to understand that a trend is not something that every bride should absolutely want to follow. A lot of brides come to me asking me if it is okay to not like lace even if everyone is crazy about it, and my answer to that is: a trend is what’s hip and popular at a certain point in time, you either like it or you don’t and that is totally fine, as long as you love yourself in your dress, that is what matters the most.

Tell us about your recycling options for wedding dresses?
It is actually a very easy concept.

A recycled dress can be :
A) A dress that a bride wants to sell to make another bride happy
B) One of our new collections that is available to rent
C) A dress in-store that is no longer available to order but is available to rent or buy off-the-rack.

A rentable dress’s price ranges between $450 to $750 (with insurance and taxes not being included) depending on the style. That price includes the cleaning of the dress after the wedding, a veil, a tiara and a crinoline to give a nice volume to the dress. Alterations are not included but the bride will be aware of what will need to be altered and the price will she be looking to pay.

I usually get asked which is more popular: Renting? or Buying?
Actually, it is half-half. It really depends on what the future bride is looking for, her budget, her emotional attachment to her dress. It is really a personal choice and a different one for each bride, but it is fun to have both options to consider.

Got any funny stories from weddings you’ve been involved with?

It was not necessarily funny, it was actually one of the most romantic requests that we have ever had. A woman called us at the store, asking information on our VIP service, which includes a personal room with seats for all of her guests, a hostess, a bottle of (non-alcoholic) sparkling wine, gifts for everyone and pictures taken with the group at the end of the appointment. It is very much like what you can see on the Say yes to the Dress show. We gave her all the information and she told us she was ready to book it. While asking for her information, we came down to the wedding date. That is when she actually told us that she was not getting married, it was actually her dream since she was a little girl, but she was so certain her boyfriend did not want to get married that she lost hope. So she just wanted to have the wedding dress shopping experience just so she could see herself trying on wedding future like every futur bride’s dream. Little did she know, her boyfriend called the day after, telling us that he wanted to take that opportunity to ….PROPOSE! We were all so excited that, of course, we helped him plan the whole scenario. Once the day arrived, the future bride-to-be had no clue of what was going to happen, we sent her and her friends into the VIP room and before she went to go see the dresses she was surprised by her boyfriend arriving in a tuxedo, with roses and a photographer, going down on one knee and asking for her hand. You should have seen all the bridal dress consultants with tears of joy down their cheeks. It was one of the most romantic moments we had ever been a part of.

How early do brides need to think about purchasing their dress?

To be sure and safe from any deadline, a year before the wedding is the best recommendation when it comes to wedding dress shopping. New dresses have to be ordered and take up to 4 to 6 months to arrive in store. That applies to rentals as well, the first bride-to-be has first pick on the date that she wants. In that case, do not take any risks and keep your options open. So if you are getting married this summer and have not yet found a wedding dress, now would be the time to start booking your appointments with your mother and bridesmaids.

Where can we find you online?

We have a very complete website, ouijelevoeux.com, with pictures of most of the collection (2000+ dresses) that we have in store, plus you can book an appointment directly online. Our Facebook page Oui, je le voeux… keeps you informed of all our contests, new collections and the wedding stories of our beautiful brides. An Instagram page is in a work in progress and we will keep our followers informed when it will be ready.

What do you do for fun when not working in the boutique?

All of the employees are very close. We are not colleagues, we are friends and the whole team is actually a big family. Obviously, the best part of being a bridal dress consultant is: A) Seeing our new collections arriving and B) getting to try on the dresses! What is a better way to identify a dress aspects than to try it on yourself? Of course, that perk is always followed by a photo shoot for our personal memories. Our manager Denyse tells us all the time: “Girls, I think you found your dresses before you’ve even found the fiancé!” So you might have guessed it too since we get to wear wedding gowns all day at the Let’s get married Grand Salon from Marions-nous in January and September, it is our favorite event!

Huge thanks to Stéphanie for sharing her thoughts with us here at MTL Wedding Blog.

As Daniel from Soul Station Orchestra will tell you, “venue, food and entertainment are the three biggest components to any event” so you don’t want to make the wrong choice when deciding on the perfect musical entertainment for your wedding. There are all kinds of bands out there but Soul Station Orchestra is quite unique. We caught up with Daniel to find out what makes them different from the rest.

When did you first start Soul Station Orchestra?

Soul Station was founded in 2013. When we first started, we were a small group playing mostly for cocktail events and small get-togethers. A year later, we added our String Trio. Fast forward to today, Soul Station Orchestra has everything in order to provide the perfect live entertainment for the client’s dream event; full party band, DJ, jazz/pop group, classical music, etc.

What’s been fantastic about seeing Soul Station grow is having the opportunity to work with such amazing musicians. Every member of the orchestra is a university trained music graduate. There’s no better feeling to perform with a great group in front of an audience ready to have a good time!

What were your aspirations for the band when you began?

All my life, music took centre stage. I first had the idea to put together an entertainment group during my first year at Vanier College. It had been already a handful of years I was learning electric bass and upright bass and I wanted to create opportunities to share the music that I grew up loving. However, I envisioned providing my clients with the live musical experience for their events. It’s a completely different feeling to see your favourite songs come alive with a band. So as SoulStation gained more opportunities, the vision grew to providing live music to all events, big or small.

How would you sum up your style?

Our style is classy and professional, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t flexible! If the client has a specific vision for their event, we are not afraid to make that dream a reality.

Of course, whatever the event, we give it our best. The opportunity to perform for an enthusiastic crowd is always a pleasure.

What are the songs that really get the crowd going?

It really depends on the sort of event; but one thing is for sure, seeing people show their emotions because they hear a certain song is pretty fantastic.

With our 5 to 8 piece party band, the moment we start playing disco or Motown, people run to the dance floor and really feel the music! When our cocktail group, the Ultra Lounge, is playing jazz or light pop covers, it brings your cocktail event to the next level; suddenly there is something more to look forward to other than the hors-d’oeuvres. With the String Trio, there’s a certain elegance that only classical instruments can create. Finally, with our DJ, some get pretty excited the moment Drake comes on 😉

How do couples let you know what kind of music they’d like for their wedding?

Once a couple reaches out to us, we will set up a meeting to get to know each other and the details of what they are looking for. If they are selecting music for a cocktail setting, the party band or our DJ, we provide an example of our repertoire. However, if they are looking to hire the String Trio for their wedding ceremony, we provide a detailed list that they can choose their specific songs for the different moments of their ceremony.

No matter the music group they choose, we are always open to special requests. If they are looking for lighting equipment, it is also available.

How early do brides need to think about booking their entertainment?

Venue, food and entertainment are the three biggest components to any event, and a wedding is no different. If couples want to be sure that we will be available, it’s best to contact us 6 months prior to their big day.

What do you do for fun when not playing with the band?

I love nature and classic car shows! When music is your career, it’s nice sometimes to disconnect from your regular routine to find inspiration elsewhere. I guess you can say I was born in the wrong decade, but I’m nostalgic for a time I didn’t grow up in when Montreal was a younger city in the 1960’s and 70’s. The cars, the style and the music where all fantastic and the city was growing slowly into the Metropolis it is today.

Where can we find you online?

Other than our website, you can find us on Wedding Wire Canada and Google Plus. To see what we’re up to on a regular basis and hear little clips you can follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

Big thanks to Daniel for chatting to us about the orchestra and all they have to offer. Make sure you reach out if you want something special for your own wedding.

 

Planning a wedding in 2018 can be a daunting task. We are all busy and it’s all too easy to allow things to become overwhelming. Couples should enjoy the whole process of getting married, including the planning, so many busy couples look for a relaible wedding planner to take some of the pressure off and make sure the day itself runs smoothly.

Liliane Yan runs L’S Event Creation and is a WPIC certified wedding planner based here in Montreal. She has a B.Com in Marketing and a certification in Event & Wedding Planning. Her team may be small but they say they are built for big events; tackling every detail to deliver any needs on your special day so that you don’t have to!

We caught up with Liliane to find out more about how couples and wedding planners work together to create something truly special.

Hi Liliane. What can you tell our readers about your business?

My name is Liliane Yan, I’m a certified event planner based in Montreal, Canada. I am working full time at an international organization and running my personal event planning business named L’S Event Creation.

How would you sum up your style?

I would say my style is minimalist with a modern twist. My pet peeves are trite ideas, tacky décor, disorganization, and dishonorable personalities.

What challenges do you usually face when planning for a wedding?

There are always different challenges in each wedding. My role in the whole planning process is to ease off the pressure on couples’ shoulder and make sure they can enjoy every little moment as the day went by and get a good grasp of the beautiful thing that is happening to them, their wedding.

Where do you get your inspiration?

Everything is an inspiration and each moment is a feast. I get inspired by everything that is happening around me, it could be a pattern on a floor, a quote from a book, a lyric from a music, and so on.

What advice do you offer couples in the run-up to the wedding day?

Setting up a realistic budget is very important and don’t wait to the last minute to consult with a wedding planner.

How early do brides need to think about booking their planner?

The sooner the better. It depends on what kind of services that the couple is looking for, is it a full wedding coordination, a month coordination or just a bit of help?

Where can we find you online?

Take a peek at our website at www.lseventcreation.ca; from there, your will find our Instagram and Facebook to follow.

What are your ambitions for the company?

Life is a long journey and it’s about learning and experiencing. I hope I will have the privilege to be part of all the wonderful love stories and be able to create the dream day for future brides and grooms.

What do you do for fun when not planning events?

Sometimes I get really busy between a full-time job and special projects. If I don’t need to work or plan any events, I just love to stay at home, work on some home décor projects, drink a cup of hot tea, enjoy a movie and just chill. Well, I will never get bored since my active toddler always keeps me busy from Monday to Sunday. 🙂

It sounds like life is always full of adventure for Liliane and we would like to thank her for finding time in amongst all of that to chat with MTL Wedding Blog.

In a recent poll, newlyweds listed “not spending more on a videographer” as their number one regret when it came to budgeting for their big day. And 35 percent of couples wish they’d hired a videographer.

Here at MTL Wedding Blog we have seen the standard of wedding videography improve rapidly over the last few years, and we are always on the lookout for fantastic local wedding videographers. So we were happy to discover the beautiful work of Love Lux Films. This is wedding videography with a very modern and creative twist. Beautiful story-telling without any of the old cliches.

We asked Tristan from Love Lux to tell us more about what they do, and how they make sure their couples receive a fil that will be priceless to their families for decades to come.

When did Love Lux Films first begin shooting weddings?

We have been running Love Lux for 4 years now, we are a young business but are growing really fast. Before Love Lux Films, I worked for a large wedding photo/video studio in Australia as a studio manager managing over 300 weddings a year, this is where I learnt what it takes to create outstanding work for clients. Maelle started her photography career as a sports and concert photographer. She also works in social media management and content marketing for major Canadian brands.

How would you describe your style?

We love to capture the moment in the most natural, and genuine way. We are not big fans of the classic, cheesy wedding film feel so we work with our couples to bring out their real selves and make that shine in their films. We also use film stocks on our edits to create a cinematic look, and we always like to keep the image looking warm and inviting, an overall happy vibe :).

We are LOVE LUX FILMS // Nous sommes LOVE LUX FILMS from Love Lux Films & Photography on Vimeo.

What challenges do you usually face during a wedding day? 

Let’s face it, most people have no clue what they’re doing when they first start to plan a wedding. They’ve probably never done anything slightly like it before in their lives, and soon find out that the whole thing can be somewhat overwhelming. That’s where an experienced wedding planner can become a lifesaver.

Montreal company Lily & Roses Events have been helping couples enjoy the ride and plan an event to remember for over half a decade now, so who better to give us some honest info and advice? We caught up with them to get the lowdown…