You’ve daydreamed about your wedding gown, but now it’s time to find “the one.” Wedding gown shopping is a lot of fun, especially if you go into it with an open mind and invite an entourage that loves and supports you. There are fantastic Calgary bridal boutiques to choose from, and even bridal designers if you want to create something completely custom for your wedding day.
Wedding Gown Shopping Tips
• Choose your group carefully: Invite two to four of your closest people. Too many people can create confusion for you.
• Research styles and designers: Ensure the boutique carries designers you like. But keep an open mind, even if you go into the appointment armed with a Pinterest board. Try gowns from different designers and a variety of styles to see what you feel best in.
• Don’t get hung up on size: Bridal sizing is not the same as regular clothing, so it’s not uncommon to be one, two, or even three sizes “larger” in bridal. But what matters is that you love your gown and feel amazing in it.
• Stop looking once you find your gown: It’s easy to second-guess after you’ve said yes to the dress, but trust your gut and avoid browsing more gown options.
Wedding Boutiques
The Bridal Boutique
This family-run bridal empire now has boutiques in Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, and Regina. Brides receive an experience rooted in decades of industry experience — and a love of bridal fashion. Founder Lillian opened the Edmonton boutique more than 15 years ago, and her daughter Lyia manages the Calgary location. The expert stylists approach every appointment with care, and they recognize the important milestone for the bride and their loved ones.
Location: 5131 Elbow Drive SW
Designers: Galia Lahav, Anais Anette, Saint Bridal Couture, Alyssa Kristin, Pronovias, Made With Love, Rue De Seine, Martina Liana, and more.
Price Range: $1,500 – $15,000
Something Extra: The Bridal Boutique also works with their designers to create custom gowns.
Durand Bridal
Durand Bridal has been voted as Calgary’s best bridal boutique for seven years. The boutique carries an extensive collection of gowns from worldwide designers, catering to every shape, size, and price point. The award-winning bridal stylists treat every bride to a memorable experience as they find their dream wedding gown.
Location: 9631 Macleod Trail
Designers: Sophia Tolli, Stella York, Ariamo, Madison James, Abella, Justin Alexander, Lillian West, and more.
Prince Point: $995 – $3,995
Something Extra: Durand has private bridal suites available, so every bride can have an intimate appointment with their loved ones.
Blush & Raven
A Calgary bridal boutique is for the bride who wants their individual style to shine. Blush & Raven offers fashion-forward brides a unique, refined experience where they can discover couture gowns from around the world. Blush & Raven is the only boutique in Alberta to carry some of the designers available, and they all specialize in premium fabrics and high-fashion glamour.
Location: 903 10 Avenue SW, #201
Designers: Monique Lhuillier, Ines Di Santo, Katherine Tash, Alexandra Grecco, Vagabond, Mariana Hardwick, and more.
Price Point: $2,500 – $12,000
Something Extra: Book a two-hour boutique buyout for you and six people, complete with bubbles and refreshments as well.
The Bridal Centre
Shop the city’s largest selection of bridal gowns and formalwear. This Calgary bridal boutique opened in 1988, and generations of brides have found their dream dress here. The Bridal Centre approaches each appointment with a deep appreciation for the special milestone it signifies, and gowns bridge contemporary and timeless styles.
Location: 1240 73 Avenue SE
Designers: Watters, Maggie Sottero, Mikaella by Paloma Blanca, Dany Tabet, Mori Lee, Jane Hill, Allure, Enzoani, and more.
Price Point: $700 – $5,000
Something Extra: The Bridal Centre offers in-house gown cleaning and preservation after the big day.
Lovenote Bride
Canadian-designed and Canadian-made. Lovenote Bride’s three gorgeous bridal collections are brought to life in the company’s Vancouver headquarters. Boutiques in Calgary, Vancouver, and Winnipeg carry chic styles for modern brides — from whimsical and romantic to bold and daring. They believe wedding gown shopping should be fun, so they provide a stress-free environment complete with bubbly and personalized service.
Location: 1211 Kensington Road NW
Price Point: $2500 +
Designers: In-house collections Truvelle, LAUDAE and Aesling
Something Extra: Select gowns can be customized with different materials. Lovenote also offers a line of exclusively designed accessories.
Calgary Bridal Designers
NRT Fashions
Brides seeking a truly custom wedding gown can look no further than NRT Fashions. Nicole is an incredibly talented Calgary bridal designer who creates one-of-a-kind couture gowns. Her gowns are often edgy and push the envelope, whether that means incorporating colour or unconventional elements. The results are always stunning and fashion-forward, reflecting the distinct personality and style of every bride she collaborates with.
Contact Nicole to book your appointment and to learn more about pricing.
Lis Simon Bridal
Lis Simon is a Canadian bridal designer based in Calgary. She designs beautiful gowns for the modern bride — at an attainable price point. Her company began in her apartment, but her gowns are now sold all over North America. Lis Simon gowns are stylish and sophisticated, and they blend tradition with trends. Visit one of the stockist boutiques to try one on for yourself.
Looking for more fantastic Calgary wedding vendors? If so, check out this blog.
And for more wedding-planning advice:
Questions to Ask a Wedding Photographer
