Review is written by Staff @ The Ring and is based on • Interviews with this vendor • Interviews with past brides
You’ve already found the man of your dreams. Next up: the fabled dress. Once Upon A Time Weddings owner Erin Bouchard has designed a full-service bridal boutique dedicated to helping you find the perfect gown for your perfect wedding. This fresh, smart shop is celebrating its first year of matching fabulous brides with fabulous dresses. “We believe you can fall in love twice,” Erin reveals. “Once with your fiancé and again with your gown.”
Here's more on Once Upon a Time Weddings.....
Once upon a time there lived a creative bride who knew a shop could do more…
Erin Bouchard sparked the interest of brides when she put together her own wedding five years ago. Her one-of-a-kind wedding invitations made a splash with brides who appreciated her talent and eye for detail. Requests led her to start a custom-made wedding stationery business, and when that took off she expanded into wedding planning. Erin set her sights on opening a bridal boutique once she recognized that brides were after something different from what the traditional shops in her area could offer. She quit her job in counselling and after a year of research, her inspired boutique took the shape of Once Upon A Time Weddings, located in downtown Strathroy. Soon brides from all over Southwestern Ontario came calling.
Inside the shop you’ll find beautiful gowns and accessories, cute bridesmaid dresses, and a range of grooms wear. The knowledgeable staff strive to create a refreshingly calm atmosphere where brides can feel like they’re living in a storybook. “Our brides realize that dreams do come true,” Erin says, “because we’ve shown them they can.”
Finding THE dress
Once Upon A Time is “all about having an enjoyable experience, and it’s what our brides love about us,” Erin says. The boutique is fitted with a fairytale room for private appointments, and offers refreshments and comfortable seating for guests. Appointments are set for an hour and a half whenever possible so that brides can relax and be spoiled one-on-one.
Bride-to-be Melissa Igras raves about the memorable experience she had finding her dress at Once Upon A Time. “They were so understanding, helpful and personable. I didn’t feel pressured into anything… I felt like they had my best interest in mind and had a real desire to make my wedding day and wedding dress shopping experience special and perfect.”
Once Upon A Time came to bride Erika Davenport’s rescue when disaster struck and a bridal store in London that she ordered her bridesmaid dresses from abruptly shut down. Erika was left with an impossibly tight deadline to get new dresses, and all the shops she contacted turned her down – except for Once Upon A Time. “Erin and her staff called all of her suppliers to see if there were dresses in the sizes I needed, and ended up finding two that worked out perfectly for my wedding. She went above and beyond the call of duty,” Erika says. “Erin and her team were amazing to work with.”
What is Once Upon A Time’s secret to helping you spot the dress? Erin tells us that they believe in listening to your unique vision so that they can execute it to perfection. “We think listening to brides is so important. We understand that this is such a huge decision for brides and really does set the tone for their big day.”
As unique as you are
Once Upon A Time aims to supply everything needed to create a wedding that is completely you. They carry lines that cannot be found at any other stores in the area, including stunning designer gowns made to flatter, and adorable bridesmaid dresses that are different from all the usual lackluster suspects. The staff travels the world with the goal of bringing brides the most fashionable, wearable pieces.
Their variety of styles compliment every body shape, and different sizes are available so that brides have the opportunity to try on dresses that actually fit. Brides can also order custom sizes and customize their dresses, so that they can get exactly what they want – no settling! “I think that every bride is unique and each wedding is unique,” Erin states. “Brides love our unique styles that can’t be found anywhere else. They love that they can customize their gowns to be them all about them.”
In the know
One of the perks of shopping at Once Upon A Time is receiving guidance from the savvy staff. They pride themselves on knowing their stock and what you will look fantastic in, and they’re happy to share their understanding of all things wedding.
“We’re all about educating and informing the bride,” Erin says. “This is a big decision in the bride’s life and one that is unlike any other decision… That’s why we take the time to inform our brides about the cuts or silhouettes of gowns, the materials used, and the beadwork used. We are very knowledgeable about our gowns and many times the gown the brides end up purchasing has been one we’ve pulled for them. We’re also all about keeping the brides informed about their gown every step of the way.”
Erin helps brides to stay on top of trends and tells us that purple is still big for 2012 but she’s starting to see some great blues and greens and some more original colour combos – so don’t be scared to get creative! She’s noticing a shift back to the traditional and classic gowns, with clean lines and beautiful beadwork detailing. She notes that flowers on gowns are also going to be making more of an appearance in 2012 weddings.
Their regularly updated blog is also a great resource for brides-to-be. It is full of advice, and includes insider’s info about sales at the boutique and savings from other local wedding vendors. Tips range from how to dress your man (remember to consider the heat when selecting a tux material, and to get black socks for the guys!) to helping you decide how many people to bring with you to choose your gown (they recommend bringing just one or two guests for opinions, and then scheduling a follow-up appointment to bring in the bridesmaids and other VIPs to show them THE GOWN after the decision has been made).
Walking you through A Once Upon A Time wedding
Upon arrival at the boutique, brides are greeted by a consultant who they get to chat with before they begin trying on gowns. The same consultant is scheduled for all follow-up appointments whenever possible, so that brides get to know who they’re working with and consultants get to know their brides.
Bride Stacey Sinclair stepped into Once Upon A Time and found the small-town service she was looking for, as well as her dream dress. “As soon as I entered the store, Erin welcomed me and told me about what they had.” Erin allowed Stacey and her family to check out the bridal gowns on their own, and suggested other gowns in similar styles. Stacey’s absolute favourite memory from the whole day? “Coming out of the change room and realizing that I had found MY wedding dress!!” Stacey says. “I found a dress very close to my budget which made me super happy.” She also purchased a bracelet and earrings from Once Upon A Time that they arranged to be custom-made to match her gown.
Once Upon A Time gowns range in price from $700 to $1700; the average bride spends around $1200. Bridesmaid dresses run from $175 to $275. Erin recommends that brides purchase their wedding gowns a year in advance of their wedding if possible. This allows time for ordering and alterations. “Of course, we can work with brides who have a shorter period of time, but it’s better to purchase a year in advance,” Erin points out. “Gowns typically take about five to six months to arrive at the store. We recommend that brides book their first fitting six to eight weeks before their wedding. Then we schedule a final fitting at least two full weeks before the wedding.” Next, a five point premium care package is included with the sale of every gown that ensures every gown is ready for their big debut. Finally, the gown is ready for pick-up the week of the big day!
Happily Ever After
This full-service boutique isn’t only about the perfect dress. They also sell other items you’ll need from now through to your wedding. “We go the extra mile to ensure that everything comes together,” Erin says. “Most of our brides come back for their bridesmaids gowns, mothers gowns and tuxedos.” Once Upon A Time has you covered: Accessories for your gown? Check. Beautiful custom-designed invitations, thank you cards, and fun wedding shower treats? Check.
Erin says that one of the reasons she is so excited to work with brides is that she gets to be there from start to finish. When brides first come in “they are usually just at the beginning of their wedding planning and are full of excitement and joy and anticipation of their big day… I love watching them through the entire process, from when the bride is first engaged right up to the week before their wedding.” Erin says, “We really do build relationships with the brides that we work with, and we really feel like they’re part of our Once Upon A Time Weddings family.”
Details, details, details
• Once Upon A Time recommends that brides purchase their wedding gowns a year in advance of their wedding.
• A five point premium care package is included in the sale of every gown that ensures every gown is ready for their big debut
• Alterations are not included.
• As with all dresses, 13% HST applies to all prices.
Contacting Once Upon A Time Weddings
Once Upon A Time Weddings is located in Strathroy at 6 Front Street West. You can set up an appointment to try on gowns by phone at 519-245-7997 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . You can also make on appointment online at www.onceuponatimeweddings.ca or on their blog at http://onceuponatimeweddingsstrathroy.blogspot.com
You’ve already found the man of your dreams. Next up: the fabled dress. Once Upon A Time Weddings owner Erin Bouchard has designed a full-service bridal boutique dedicated to helping you find the perfect gown for your perfect wedding. This fresh, smart shop is celebrating its first year of matching fabulous brides with fabulous dresses. “We believe you can fall in love twice,” Erin reveals. “Once with your fiancé and again with your gown.”
Here's more on Once Upon a Time Weddings.....
Once upon a time there lived a creative bride who knew a shop could do more…
Erin Bouchard sparked the interest of brides when she put together her own wedding five years ago. Her one-of-a-kind wedding invitations made a splash with brides who appreciated her talent and eye for detail. Requests led her to start a custom-made wedding stationery business, and when that took off she expanded into wedding planning. Erin set her sights on opening a bridal boutique once she recognized that brides were after something different from what the traditional shops in her area could offer. She quit her job in counselling and after a year of research, her inspired boutique took the shape of Once Upon A Time Weddings, located in downtown Strathroy. Soon brides from all over Southwestern Ontario came calling.
Inside the shop you’ll find beautiful gowns and accessories, cute bridesmaid dresses, and a range of grooms wear. The knowledgeable staff strive to create a refreshingly calm atmosphere where brides can feel like they’re living in a storybook. “Our brides realize that dreams do come true,” Erin says, “because we’ve shown them they can.”
Finding THE dress
Once Upon A Time is “all about having an enjoyable experience, and it’s what our brides love about us,” Erin says. The boutique is fitted with a fairytale room for private appointments, and offers refreshments and comfortable seating for guests. Appointments are set for an hour and a half whenever possible so that brides can relax and be spoiled one-on-one.
Bride-to-be Melissa Igras raves about the memorable experience she had finding her dress at Once Upon A Time. “They were so understanding, helpful and personable. I didn’t feel pressured into anything… I felt like they had my best interest in mind and had a real desire to make my wedding day and wedding dress shopping experience special and perfect.”
Once Upon A Time came to bride Erika Davenport’s rescue when disaster struck and a bridal store in London that she ordered her bridesmaid dresses from abruptly shut down. Erika was left with an impossibly tight deadline to get new dresses, and all the shops she contacted turned her down – except for Once Upon A Time. “Erin and her staff called all of her suppliers to see if there were dresses in the sizes I needed, and ended up finding two that worked out perfectly for my wedding. She went above and beyond the call of duty,” Erika says. “Erin and her team were amazing to work with.”
What is Once Upon A Time’s secret to helping you spot the dress? Erin tells us that they believe in listening to your unique vision so that they can execute it to perfection. “We think listening to brides is so important. We understand that this is such a huge decision for brides and really does set the tone for their big day.”
As unique as you are
Once Upon A Time aims to supply everything needed to create a wedding that is completely you. They carry lines that cannot be found at any other stores in the area, including stunning designer gowns made to flatter, and adorable bridesmaid dresses that are different from all the usual lackluster suspects. The staff travels the world with the goal of bringing brides the most fashionable, wearable pieces.
Their variety of styles compliment every body shape, and different sizes are available so that brides have the opportunity to try on dresses that actually fit. Brides can also order custom sizes and customize their dresses, so that they can get exactly what they want – no settling! “I think that every bride is unique and each wedding is unique,” Erin states. “Brides love our unique styles that can’t be found anywhere else. They love that they can customize their gowns to be them all about them.”
In the know
One of the perks of shopping at Once Upon A Time is receiving guidance from the savvy staff. They pride themselves on knowing their stock and what you will look fantastic in, and they’re happy to share their understanding of all things wedding.
“We’re all about educating and informing the bride,” Erin says. “This is a big decision in the bride’s life and one that is unlike any other decision… That’s why we take the time to inform our brides about the cuts or silhouettes of gowns, the materials used, and the beadwork used. We are very knowledgeable about our gowns and many times the gown the brides end up purchasing has been one we’ve pulled for them. We’re also all about keeping the brides informed about their gown every step of the way.”
Erin helps brides to stay on top of trends and tells us that purple is still big for 2012 but she’s starting to see some great blues and greens and some more original colour combos – so don’t be scared to get creative! She’s noticing a shift back to the traditional and classic gowns, with clean lines and beautiful beadwork detailing. She notes that flowers on gowns are also going to be making more of an appearance in 2012 weddings.
Their regularly updated blog is also a great resource for brides-to-be. It is full of advice, and includes insider’s info about sales at the boutique and savings from other local wedding vendors. Tips range from how to dress your man (remember to consider the heat when selecting a tux material, and to get black socks for the guys!) to helping you decide how many people to bring with you to choose your gown (they recommend bringing just one or two guests for opinions, and then scheduling a follow-up appointment to bring in the bridesmaids and other VIPs to show them THE GOWN after the decision has been made).
Walking you through A Once Upon A Time wedding
Upon arrival at the boutique, brides are greeted by a consultant who they get to chat with before they begin trying on gowns. The same consultant is scheduled for all follow-up appointments whenever possible, so that brides get to know who they’re working with and consultants get to know their brides.
Bride Stacey Sinclair stepped into Once Upon A Time and found the small-town service she was looking for, as well as her dream dress. “As soon as I entered the store, Erin welcomed me and told me about what they had.” Erin allowed Stacey and her family to check out the bridal gowns on their own, and suggested other gowns in similar styles. Stacey’s absolute favourite memory from the whole day? “Coming out of the change room and realizing that I had found MY wedding dress!!” Stacey says. “I found a dress very close to my budget which made me super happy.” She also purchased a bracelet and earrings from Once Upon A Time that they arranged to be custom-made to match her gown.
Once Upon A Time gowns range in price from $700 to $1700; the average bride spends around $1200. Bridesmaid dresses run from $175 to $275. Erin recommends that brides purchase their wedding gowns a year in advance of their wedding if possible. This allows time for ordering and alterations. “Of course, we can work with brides who have a shorter period of time, but it’s better to purchase a year in advance,” Erin points out. “Gowns typically take about five to six months to arrive at the store. We recommend that brides book their first fitting six to eight weeks before their wedding. Then we schedule a final fitting at least two full weeks before the wedding.” Next, a five point premium care package is included with the sale of every gown that ensures every gown is ready for their big debut. Finally, the gown is ready for pick-up the week of the big day!
Happily Ever After
This full-service boutique isn’t only about the perfect dress. They also sell other items you’ll need from now through to your wedding. “We go the extra mile to ensure that everything comes together,” Erin says. “Most of our brides come back for their bridesmaids gowns, mothers gowns and tuxedos.” Once Upon A Time has you covered: Accessories for your gown? Check. Beautiful custom-designed invitations, thank you cards, and fun wedding shower treats? Check.
Erin says that one of the reasons she is so excited to work with brides is that she gets to be there from start to finish. When brides first come in “they are usually just at the beginning of their wedding planning and are full of excitement and joy and anticipation of their big day… I love watching them through the entire process, from when the bride is first engaged right up to the week before their wedding.” Erin says, “We really do build relationships with the brides that we work with, and we really feel like they’re part of our Once Upon A Time Weddings family.”
Details, details, details
• Once Upon A Time recommends that brides purchase their wedding gowns a year in advance of their wedding.
• A five point premium care package is included in the sale of every gown that ensures every gown is ready for their big debut
• Alterations are not included.
• As with all dresses, 13% HST applies to all prices.
Contacting Once Upon A Time Weddings
Once Upon A Time Weddings is located in Strathroy at 6 Front Street West. You can set up an appointment to try on gowns by phone at 519-245-7997 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . You can also make on appointment online at www.onceuponatimeweddings.ca or on their blog at http://onceuponatimeweddingsstrathroy.blogspot.com
