FAQ's

We thought you would appreciate knowing some of our answers to FAQ's ahead of time. There is a lot to consider when shopping for your big day so we hope this helps!

#1 “How long does it take to order a wedding gown?”

This depends on the designer but it generally takes 4-6 months to order a wedding gown. You also want to give yourself at least one month for alterations so brides should give themselves seven months as a time frame.


#2 “How long do alterations take?”

This depends on the dress. The more ornate the gown - embellishments, lace, appliqués, etc - the more time will be needed for the job. If a tailor needs to unstitch lace hems with a lot of beadwork he or she needs to reattach it and sew the beads back on so this can be quite labor intensive. One month is plenty of time for alterations however and for a simpler job (a hem on a simple skirt or a bustle) a few days should suffice. We think it’s best to err on the side of caution so the more time you give yourself the better.


#3 “I just received my wedding gown – when should I get my alterations?”

We recommend that you do not get your alterations until one month before your wedding. Most brides ‘downsize’ shortly before the wedding due to stress or a vigorous work out regime (brides are the most motivated right before the wedding) and believe it or not we have seen dresses let out only to be taken in again due to weight fluctuation. Not only does this hurt the wallet but it adds unnecessary stress. Relax and take a load off!


#4 “I just got my dress and it’s too tight!”

More often than not, brides measure ‘in between’ sizes. For brides who are not a perfect 8 or 12 this means that alterations are required regardless of what size has been ordered for you. You usually have about an inch and a half on both sides of the garment to let it out (of course this depends on the gown) and often times it is a matter of letting the dress out an inch here or there for a ‘fit like a glove.’ Of course, this works the other way around too so if your gown is too big in the bust it will need to be taken in. With a corset you have a bit more flexibility than a zipper as you can ‘tighten the strings’ for a custom fit. Sometimes a loose bust can be fixed by adding cups into the dress as a built in bra. Any seamstress will have a range of different sized cups in store.


#5 “I just received my dress that I ordered online and I don’t like it! I’m getting married next week can you help me?”

Yes! The ever present owners Emily and Mary are very selective about which gowns they choose. There is a wide selection of beautiful designer gowns at Blush – Pronovias, La Sposa, Martina Liana, Maggie Sottero – that are available ‘off the rack’. It is also worth mentioning that some of the gowns available for purchasing are brand new. We have helped many brides who have purchased online or bought an imitation gown and are not satisfied with the garment. Please keep in mind that alterations are required when you buy off the rack as the perfect size is extremely rare. Depending on the condition of the gown, we are usually able to offer a discount when buying a sample dress which we hope will make up for the cost of the alterations. We are dedicated to helping you find a dress that you will love so don’t hesitate to ask us if you are in this situation.


#6 “Do you have any gowns with straps?”

Blush carries a lot of gowns with straps however many gowns are featured without straps as they get lost so easily in our busy little boutique. If you are in love with a dress and it does not have straps don’t sweat the small stuff! Many brides will use the hem from the skirt to fashion any strap they want – spaghetti, halter, cap sleeve. Remember, almost anything can be done to a dress in alterations so why not make it couture and personalized!

#7 "Is it possible to buy a jacket with my dress?"

Of course. We sell lace boleros and three quarter length jackets (see silk dupionni jacket and dress pairing pictured above). We also have a lot of mothers of brides and grooms looking for something with a bit more coverage on top so let us know what you are looking for and we will help you find the right look. We also have a gorgeous selection of pashminas and stoles in stock for anyone to choose from.

New 2010 "Martina Liana" has arrived!

Luxurious fabrics, Swarovski crystal embellishments and innate attention to detail are some of the key nuances of a design by Martina Liana. We are pleased to announce that some of the most beautiful gowns from the 2010 collection have arrived to Blush!

Pictured here are some ‘Boutique favorites’. Bottom right is a stunning two piece with a removable silk skirt(see photo on the left sans skirt). This gown is perfect for a dramatic ceremony followed by a cocktail reception or for that destination wedding where two looks goes a long way. We are seeing an increasing amount of brides requesting versatile looks to reflect their personality and wedding venue. In the case of this gown, fun, glamour and charm blend together to make a suave and exciting new look. We have never seen a gown like it and for the fashionista who craves adventure (and wants to rock her shoes) we are certain you will love this striking new design!

Also featured here (center) is an ethereal looking gown made out of Charmeuse (a soft, light weight and drapable fabric) with a tulle overlay which gives a gorgeous silhouette to this empire shape. It is a flattering 'Greek goddess' design suitable for a venue boasting a blue ocean and white sand. The intricate hand sewn belt adorned with Swarovski crystals with pewter accents (featured under the bust) is also a testimate to the global couture glamour of a design by Martina Liana!

As for the rest of the gowns pictured here, we hope that the photos speak for themselves but your best bet is to come downtown Victoria and try them on for size!