In Search of Style

Finalizing the details of any wedding can be a harrowing experience. However,  one tradition that remains magical is the dress fitting. I was lucky enough to have my mom and soon-to-be mother-in-law participate in the fun. There is no greater feeling for any bride than to share the moment with loved ones.

During the fitting, David McCaffrey showed my mom how to easily get me into his creation and how to bustle the dress for the reception. It’s trickier than you think. Some dresses come with a bustier and need additional time and some extra hands to cinch the bride in for the perfect fit. If a dress is complex in design, it is often recommended to have the mother of the bride or maid of honour attend the final fitting to ensure that getting into the dress on the big day is a simple and stress-free process.

Having a fresh set of eyes to help decide on the final details made for a smooth and easy going fitting. In my case, the mothers helped add the needed accessories to the dress: a veil that didn’t overpower or hide the dress, a belt to add some sparkle and a glamorous bolero for the church service. These few details transformed the dress into a luxurious gown all the while maintaining the timeless and classic shape that the original design was based upon.

I will always remember seeing myself in the dress for the first time, the intricate details and how exquisite I felt in my wedding dress. Not only was I able to share the day with the mothers, thanks to a Skype service provided by the boutique, family across the country tuned in.

Working with David McCaffrey has been such an incredible journey and although the full dress design will continue to remain a secret till the wedding in December, you can follow my dress updates on Twitter at @AlexandraGunn.

HAIR & MAKEUP: Noah at facesbynoah.com • PHOTOGRAPHY: Deborah Ransom

Alexandra Gunn is the Life & Style reporter for Sun News

Send your fashion & style dilemmas to: Alexandra@OttawaLife.com

Follow Alex on Twitter: @AlexandraGunn