This weekend, Sunflower mom and sis are coming to Toronto to go dress shopping! Since I’m such a keener, I’ve already scoped out the shops, and have 5 fav gowns chosen between 2 bridal shops. Sunflower mom and sis live 4 hours away, so this weekend trip is a chance for all of us to spend some QT together. So I’m making the most of it!

Friday night: Musical! We’re going to exercise my shameless love for Musicals with Sound of Music.

Saturday: With a tasteful entourage of mom, sister and Jill, we have our first appointment at Beckers Bridals. Beckers’ in house designer is Barbra Allin, who has some deliciously simple gowns in rich fabrics for modest prices. My favourite part was that they featured great structure, but were only about half of the weight of some of the other designers. (What’s with the weight of some of these dresses!?)

Barbra Allin Style 7433

Next stop: Ritche Bridal. Here is where I will show off my current favourite dress. Since trying this one on for the first time, when I picture my wedding, I picture myself wearing this dress. Lightly obsessing over it.

Paloma Blanca 3958

Final stop: White Toronto. Sigh. Beautiful gowns that exceed my budget. Oscar, Carolina, Monique…triple sigh. However, that doesn’t matter because we’re going to find my sister a bridesmaid dress!! So far, my favourite is this dress by Jenny Yoo:

Phoebe dress by Jenny Yoo

However, I will have to see how they ALL look on my sis before making a decision! She is my only bridesmaid – did I mention that?

Following this whirlwind shopping trip, we will be having dinner at FRANK, the new restaurant at the Art Gallery of Ontario. I’m excited because I haven’t been there yet, and I’ll get to show my mom and sis where Sunflower Dude proposed, in the newly renovated Frank Gehry glass facade!

Planning a wedding hours away from your venue and hometown can be difficult, but it can also have perks like weekend trips dedicated to wedding fun! Did anyone else get to experience this? Also, keen to hear what everyone thinks of my dress choices!