Behind the Seams: Designing the Perfect Dress with David McCaffrey

If you’re planning a wedding in Ottawa you’ve no doubt planned to have your wedding photos taken along the Rideau Canal, in front of the Parliament buildings or to have the National Art Gallery featured in the backdrop.  Not only does Ottawa offer some incredibly beautiful backdrops but its historical reception venues and savvy vendors will make your big day picture perfect.

Ottawa is home to many local designers including McCaffrey Haute Couture. Whether you’re having a hard time finding the right fit or looking to design your dream wedding dress, you’ll find a skilled team at McCaffrey Haute Couture. David McCaffrey has an eye for detail and ensures that fit is the top priority when he begins building each and every wedding dress.

Creative Director Noah Venkatarangam styled each McCaffrey dress in this shoot with a different theme in mind and focused on detail to ensure that each dress came to life with minimal accessories. Noah said that he “wanted to show brides that there aren’t any rules when it comes to their big day – they can be anything from Marie Antoinette to a 1930’s siren. A girl’s got to have options.”  Bridal makeup can be just as important as accessorizing, but it’s best to stick with what has worked for you in the past: “I tend to avoid harsh lines and make sure everything is painstakingly blended. I discourage brides from trying anything new for their wedding day and stick to presenting an enhanced version of themselves” advises Noah.  If you’re looking for one of a kind standout  jewelry, look no further than True Bijoux. They offer a variety of sizes should you want to add minimal accessories or find large feature pieces to maximize the style you’re going for. Noah carefully selected jewels that would add a bit of sparkle to each look but was particular to ensure that the jewelry was always complimentary to the dress.

The wedding gown is always the main element when planning the wedding design, but brides have many aspects to consider, including the overall colour scheme. A particular colour usually runs throughout the entire wedding – from the ceremony itself to the reception.  The wedding colour is often featured in the bride’s bouquet as well as her bridesmaids. We are now even seeing the groomsmen wearing colourful corsages to synch up with the rest of the bridal party.

We had the pleasure in working with Full Bloom who created exquisite designs to complement each dress style and theme. The bride’s bouquet is an opportunity to express her style and show off some of her favourite flowers, so finding a floral designer who can interpret exactly what the bride is looking for is a must!

If you’ve decided to offer your guests a sophisticated spin on old-fashioned treats, then you’ll want to check out The Flour Shoppe, the creators of the cupcakes and a custom designed sweets table for the OLM shoot. The boutique bakery uses quality ingredients and has a wide array of flavors to choose from. If you’re in the Glebe you’ll want to stop by and test a cupcake or two!

Follow Fashion Editor, Alexandra Gunn as she designs her wedding dress with David McCaffrey on Twitter: @AlexandraGunn.

OLM’s Wedding Vendor Recommendations

The Dress: McCaffrey Haute Couture www.mccaffreyhautecouture.com

Wedding Photography: Maciej Czop www.maciejczop.com

Hair, Makeup and Styling: Noah at Faces by Noah www.facesbynoah.com

Hair Styling: Stefania Capovilla

Floral Design: Full Bloom www.fullbloom.ca

Sweet Treats: The Flour Shoppe www.theflourshoppe.ca

Jewelry: True Bijoux www.truebijoux.ca

Headpieces or Fascinators: Chapeaux de Madeleine www.chapeaudemadeleine.ca

Reception Venue: Fairmont Chateau Laurier www.fairmont.com/laurier-ottawa

* Editorial Photography by: Maciej Czop