50 Original Wedding Ideas Your Friends Haven’t Thought Of Yet

Your friends have: Their sights set on a Vera Wang princess gown.

We prefer: Taking cue from a real-life royal, the Duchess of Cambridge, who only worked with British vendors for her wedding to Prince William, including her now world-famous dress designer, Sarah Burton (Creative Director of Alexander McQueen). While we’re admittedly fans of Vera Wang, Monique Lhuillier, Oscar de la Renta and the dozens of other dreamy bridal designers who reside south of the border, we’re even more nuts over our own local crop. Sarah Houston, Adele Wechsler, David McCaffrey, Ines di Santo and Rita Vinieris (Rivini) are all Canadian and make their dresses here as well. If you envision your Big Day to be a Canadian version of the Royal Wedding, then only a compatriot couturier will do.

“Sapphire” Sheath by Sarah Houston; Chantilly Lace with Scooped Back, Ostrich Feathers and Six Thousand Swarovski Crystals

Image by John Day.