Sash and Bustle
Sash and Bustle is a dreamy bridal shop selling modern gowns for brides and their maids.
Eschewing traditional, pouffy ball gowns for sleeker, contemporary looks, this pretty store is overflowing with chiffon and sheath dresses in light ivory—essentially what Pinterest wedding dreams are made of.
Since sisters Vanessa and Andrea Dineen first took over the Sash and Bustles store in 2014, they've become one of the foremost names in Toronto's bridal scene, expanding from their original 800-square-foot store to this large space with 10 employees.
Their storefront alone has become a staple in Riverside: the dress on display is swapped out daily and is completely picture-perfect, making even the most wedding-resistant yearn for a non-matrimonial ceremony worthy of such a look.
If you're the kind of bride who wants to have your wedding at, say, Evergreen Brickworks, or other rustic-style venues in the city, the aesthetic here is perfect for you.
The store is aplenty in whimsical styles and A-line, slim fits—and affordable, too. Gowns range between $1,800 to $6,000, with the average price hovering between $2,200 and $3,500.
Make an appointment here, swap out your shoes for some store slippers, and peruse their racks of around 150 styles from exclusive international designers like Budapest-based Daalarna or Truvelle, based in Vancouver.
The glamourous fitting area (which the Dineen sisters refer to as the 'jewel box') is where bridal gown montages from the movies come to life, with darling pedestals and mirrors standing 1o feet-tall.
All dresses are made to order, meaning it'll take about four to six months before your gown arrives in town. While Sash and Bustle doesn't do any tailoring, they can refer you to a roster of five tailors that can.
A small selection of jewellery and headpieces range between 150 to $900, from brands like Hushed Commotion and Olivia The Wolf. White gold and rose gold wedding bands ($1,800-$3,000) come via Stor by Margot.
There's only brand of shoes carried here: Rachel Simpson, whose pieces constructed with Spanish-made leather run from $350 to $500.
Bridesmaids dresses are located downstairs, where your gaggle of girls can try on gowns from brands like Hailey Paige's Blush line or Arrow and Bow's infinity wrap dresses.
The average dress runs around $400, and takes anywhere between eight and 12 weeks to produce, so it's best to well in advance, and probably outside of peak wedding season too.
Herman Wong