downtown Toronto. I was so excited to start scouting out vendors for my upcoming August

wedding with my Mum! I recall walking through the show in awe of every little detail, but there was

one major ‘detail’ that caught my eye more so than all the others – my wedding dress.Source: Rachel A. Clingen

Never did I ever imagine that I would find my wedding dress at wedding show, but it was love at

first sight for me. I remember waiting to talk to Kim who then began to explain that she was in

fact the designer of the dress and owner of Valencienne, a wedding boutique located here in

Toronto. She explained that she actually custom designs dresses for brides, but I advised her that

I really wanted that one (seen above on the far left) with some modifications. We left with her

contact information and told her we would be in touch!

A few weeks had passed and I wanted to make sure that I was certain about moving forward with

the Valenceinne wedding gown seen at the WedLuxe show. I had tried on a couple dresses prior

to attending the show, but none were what I was looking for. I had yet to go looking in Toronto

and definitely wanted to go searching in various other reputable boutiques, such as; White

Toronto, Ines Di Santo, Vera Wang and Pearl Bridal House. While inside these boutiques I tried

on various dresses that you would see in magazines and from the runway iteslf, it was truly a

dream. However, they were not the type of dress I was looking for. I would like the top of one,

and the skirt of another or vice versa. Then when you found one you did like and talked about

potentially ordering, you would find out that they are not in fact made for you. You actually have

to order a size and it then is altered to fit you. I knew that altering wasn’t what I had in mind for

my wedding! I’m short, or as they call it “petite”, so this would mean cutting a dress from the

bottom creating a very elongated torso and making my legs seem shorter than what they really

are (no thanks!). I decided I’d go back to Valencienne and create the dress of my dreams.

The first time I walked into Valencienne I was amazed. The level of detail in each of the dresses

on display was mesmerizing, I knew I was going to be in good hands! At this time Kim was

actually on vacation, so I met with Sara to try on a couple other dresses Valencienne designed

and of course the one I saw at the WedLuxe show! I finalized my order with Sara and made a

few minor adjustments to the design of the dress so it would be made EXACTLY how I was

envisioning it– amazing, right?!

A couple months went by and I got a call from Kim telling me it was time to start making my

dress. My first fitting, or as Kim calls it ‘the ugly dress fitting’, was not what I was expecting LOL.

My ‘dress’ was literally pieces of fabric that were cut to my measurements and would be used to

fittings for all you visual people out there 😉

First fitting/ugly dress fitting:

Second fitting:Third fitting:Forth fitting/Pick-up:

Overall my Valencienne experience was simply a fairy tale. Aside from marrying my husband, I

can honestly say that it was truly one of the best parts of ‘my wedding’. I’m a bit of a perfectionist,

so on my actual wedding day I was somewhat annoyed with other vendors not living up to their

names (ie. our cake only being half decorated or fake flours being found in our flower

arrangements LOL), but Valencienne definitely surpassed my wedding dress expectations. It was

a dream. I would recommend them to EVERY bride-to-be. Whether you’re plus size, tall, ‘regular’

or a petite bride your dress will literally be made FOR YOU, and will obviously look amazing

because Valencienne will have designed it. Not only will you look spectacular, but you’ll also be

wearing a wedding gown made in Canada, specifically right here in Toronto!

The Valencienne team itself is as wonderful as you could only imagine and would literally bend

over backwards to do anything you want. I remember I had asked them to take my dress in

places where technically an A-line dress shouldn’t be taken it, but they did it anyways. If their

dresses weren’t the best in Toronto, I would say just to go just for their level of customer service.

Looking back at it all, and telling friends and family how amazing my dress experience was, it

exactly that – an experience. To see your wedding dress be made in front of your eyes will be

something I will never forget. I would look forward to my appointments for weeks upon weeks

and be sad after they were finished!

I will leave you with final photos of my Valencienne dress. Valencienne calls it the Violetta and the

gown itself is made of silk chiffon and silk crepe. The bodice is French lace enhanced with

intricate beading and crystal work, which was created in Dubai. Finally, Japanese seed beads

were individually hand strung to create the show stopping shoulder embellishments and strap you see

draping down the back (aka. the reason I wanted this dress!). Also, the jewels are Elsa Corsi

which I designed with Elsa during her trunk show at Valencienne. They too were stunning, but we will save that for another blog post-Source: Magnolia Studios