It's wedding season, which means brides are looking high and low for a perfect dress that she hasn't seen her friends wear. The problem is, as brides, we are spoon-fed the same brands on Pinterest and in bridal magazines. Often, dresses fit into one of two categories: stunning but extraordinarily expensive or been there seen that.
Shopping local designers is a great way to have a special story behind your dress, a personal connection to the maker, and to find something that is unique without shelling out thousands of extra dollars on the same three designers we see on Say Yes to the Dress.
Here are eight wedding dress designers based in Vancouver:
Davie & Chiyo
Perfect for the minimalist bride, Davie & Chiyo keep it classic and timeless with simple silhouettes, clean lines, and crisp fabrics. Brides can play around with accessories or two pieces for a bit of added interest and a customized touch. Each piece, from the dresses to the intricate hair pins, to the dreamy vintage-esque lingerie, is handmade by a small team of artisans based in Vancouver. The showroom is on West Pender and open by appointment only.
Address: 612 - 402 W Pender St Vancouver (By appointment)
Elika in Love
Elika in Love is a bespoke bridal collection made in Vancouver with a Parisian sensibility. The bridal line has a mix of lace-forward and minimal coloumn gowns, and fun, flirty short dresses which cover a variety of price points. Designer Hrissa Soumpassis named the atelier after her ancestral hometown in southern Greece and each dress has a Grecian goddess feel to it.
Address: 416 - 2050 Scotia St, Vancouver (By appointment)
Joanna Delaney
Joanna Delaney is a perfect match for the totally bespoke bride. As a couturiere, she specializes in custom-made wedding dresses and has decades of experience in wedding wear having worked as a tailor for Something Blue, another Vancouver-based bridal designer. Previous gowns include colour, lace, tulle, you name it. The vastly different dresses match the individual brides while keeping imagination and west coast inspiration in common.
Address: 101-2365 W 1st Ave, Vancouver (By appointment)
Hannah Tikkanen
By far the most whimsical entry on this list, Hannah Tikkanen creates dreamy organza fairy tale dresses you won't find anywhere else. For the most part, her designs, which are inspired by the sea, eschew the traditional white in favour of light blues and pinks, occasionally even black. There are options available for customization in terms of colour, fabric, and fit however for people who may want a design in ivory or made to measure. The dresses are only available through their online store, so email for more details.
Address: N/A
Kathryn Bass Bridal
The 2022 collection by Kathryn Bass Bridal, called In the Clouds, very much gives Bridgerton regency romance with bows, bordereaux necklines, and plumy skirts that can be mixed and matched with different top options. Co-owners and designers Kathryn and Kelsey offer made to order or fully custom dresses in a chose your own adventure style of experience that is well-suited for the bride who a unique dress and special experience that comes with a helping hand.
Address: 104 – 1338 W 6th Ave, Vancouver (By appointment)
Pure Magnolia
This sustainability-minded bridal designer released two capsule collections this year: Arbour, which matches their classic lace vision and Atlum, which introduced the brand to a floatier, more flirty silhouette. Both however, use eco-friendly textiles like un-dyed organic cotton or recycled fabric and are true to Pure Magnolia's value of responsible sourcing, waste reduction, and ethical production. You can find the dresses online or at Union Bridal in Gastown.
Address: 1414 - 207 W Hastings St, Vancouver (Union Bridal, by appointment)
Truvelle
Truvelle is a capsule designer with three collections, 2021, 2022, and signature. Each collection is made with the previous in mind and takes on feedback from real brides in the community. The dresses have a distinct Truvelle look about them and are timeless, well-made, comfortable, and exist outside of bridal trends. Gowns run from size 0-26 and additional design features have been added to plus sizes to make them more comfortable. For example, progressive boning is added to the bodice with an underwire effect to create a comfortable fit with bust support, crucially with no extra cost.
Address: Mezzanine - 235 Cambie St, Vancouver (Lovenote Bride, flagship store)
Laudae
Laudae's 2022 collection inspires visions of old Hollywood glamour updated for the modern woman. Think fitted silk gowns adorned in delicate buttons connecting the plunge neckline to the V slit at the front. Combining the open back and deep V's that they're known for, the Helios collection adds asymmetrical and bandeau bodices to the mix for a spark of something new.
Address: Mezzanine - 235 Cambie St, Vancouver (Lovenote Bride, stockist)
