Valencienne Bridal Review

I tried finding a wedding dress at typical wedding dress store. I searched all over Western NY striking out everywhere. None of the dresses seemed like me. I decided to venture to Toronto for a custom dress. From the moment I spoke to Kim, I knew she had a lot of experience making wedding dresses. I was very unsure of the process and her confidence was what I needed. I didn t have the same custom dress experience that most people had. After my canvas fitting, COVID happened and I wasn t able to go across the border. I also didn t understand the custom dress process and didn t realize I couldn t change my dress after the canvas fitting. During COVID I decided that I wanted a different dress design. Kim and her team were able to pull off the new design based on a picture I sent. Her team worked so hard to make sure ever little detail was absolutely perfect. Kim is amazing and I cannot say enough good things about her and her team!!

From the moment I met Kim and her team at Valencienne, I knew - I was going to look exactly the way I had always dreamed and I knew I was working with a kindred spirit. She asked me what I wanted in a gown and I only described the neckline then started flipping through my phone to find the picture I had been saving, when I looked up, Kim had already drawn the entire dress I was looking for, as if she could see what was in my mind, except this one was even better! Kim is a dreamer who makes dreams come true. Sonia her head seamstress put so much love and care into my gown that I could not help but say a prayer of thankfulness at the end of our journey together. During our process, just one month before my wedding, I lost someone very close to me - which halted production for a while and caused some major changes to be made. Kim and her team responded with grace, love and understanding. They didn't just create a gown for me to be married in, they understood that they were taking an important role in the memories I would make on that day. How do you adequately say thank you for a gift like that? If you're someone who hates wearing what other people wear, and you like to make an impression, this will be the best decision you will make of all the decisions a bride-to-be has to make before her wedding, I promise!

Kim knows how to get inside your mind and bring to life exactly what you invision and even more than you can imagine. She puts together the most extravagant elegant gown. She gave me 100 percent of her attention for my special day that last a life time.

Kim and the Valencienne team are a dream!

Very early on, I knew the dress I wanted was not going to be found off the rack and it would have to have been made - it was Game of Thrones inspired and had a cape after all! In my initial meeting with Kim, I gave her a few photos of what I wanted my dress to look like and she had no problem creating it. She was nothing short of professional and most importantly, honest with her opinion on what would work and not work for my size and stature.

I was initially concerned as my dress felt a bit snug a couple weeks before the wedding day but Kim assured me that I was just a bit bloated and that I would be fine. But to ease my concerns, she scheduled the final fitting to be two days before the wedding day and offered to make any alterations necessary within the hour. But all that was a moot point as the dress fit perfectly and she was right - I was just bloated!

Overall, Kim and her team were so great to work with and I highly recommend them. My dress was a hit and my guests (both the ladies and gentlemen) were certain that they wouldn't forget it - something that every bride desires.

Five stars all around!

Kim and Sonia at Valencienne are a dynamic duo. I came into the shop with a very unique idea in mind for my wedding dress. They brought my vision to life and to my surprise fully understood my vision. I wanted gold embroided purple bohemian tea pirate dress that mimicked the design of my tattoos. They where not only able to create this for me, but the dress they hand crafted was even more beautiful than the image I had in my head. I highly recommend Kim and Sonia at Valencienne for whatever enchanting creation you so desire to have for your wedding day. Thankyou so much to both of you for making my dress and for getting it all done even during covid-19! Much love

Kim helped me out with some alterations for my bridal gown. They really know what they are doing there as they make their very own dresses. Alterations appointment was speedy and completed in about two weeks. Definitely recommend.

Kim designed the dress of my dreams and then some! She is so warm and welcoming, and helps bring your vision to real life! Over and above my dress, Kim made my purse dreams a reality - I could not find the right clutch for the big day -- but Kim once again was able to make it real! It has a permanent place in my walk-in :) I cannot recommend Kim enough! She made my dress, my Mother's, both our clutches, and she's currently making a Maternity outfit for me! I cannot think of anyone else I would trust this much with such important items. Thank you Kim!!!!

Kim and her team were amazing. They were a pleasure to deal with and when I wanted changes made to my dress they were so accommodating. I absolutely loved my dress - it turned out beautifully and was exactly what I wanted. Kim also also made my mother's dress and it was probably amongst the nicest mother-of-the bride dresses I have ever seen. I would 100% recommend Kim to anyone.

If I had one word to describe Valencienne boutique and and the team it would be perfection . I looked high and low. I knew exactly what I wanted and yet Kim and her team made it TEN TIMES better. My friends and family how exactly how picky and meticulous I am and there was nothing that I would changed about my dream wedding gown. I showed her a photo of what I loved but Kim hand picked everything from the different kinds of materials and colours to the hand picked accents of my veil. She and her team were patient and kind. I even had an aunt who is just as sceptical to custom as I am get her gown for my wedding made there as well. Everything about the process was addressed and it felt like they really took their time. I will never forget when they had me standing in the bridal suite hand sewing the material with me in the dress- i asked to double check that everything matched on either sides and I was so impressed by the precision. If there was ever any hesitations with anything- they got it covered. I can t believe I had the trust in me to rely on somebody to make a dress from nothing and for it to come out better than what I imagined it. What a design. I can truly call this my dress. Thankyou Kim and the rest of the amazing team at Valencienne!!!

Miriam and I are amazed with the work done by Kim and her team. Miriam got one of the Destination Collection dresses and she is loving it and looking forward to wearing it in our wedding. There is a difference between just doing a job and loving your job. Kim not only loves her job but she creates unique master pieces. Moreover, our order was a real challenge for her as we live in Thunder Bay and we had to do everything in the distance and with really tight timeframes. We have no words to show our thanks to Kim. We will send photos of the great day! All the best!

Words cannot express how grateful I am for Kim and her amazing team at Valencienne Bridal. My search for my dream wedding gown began in fall of 2017. After searching all (and I mean all) of the bridal boutiques that this city has to offer, I found myself falling in love with a particular dress that was perfect. Or maybe I thought it was perfect in comparison to all the options I had. In my mind, something was off and I could not put my finger on it.

Than I decided to visit Valencienne Bridal. Mind you, I would have never taken this risk of potentially customizing my wedding dress, if it weren't for my best friend who took the dive one year prior. Seeing how stunning her dress turned out, I knew that I had absolutely nothing to worry about.

From the moment I walked in, to the very end of this process, I never once felt like I had anything to worry about. Having said this, I do want to mention that Kim continuously reminded me that my dress was the biggest challenge of her career as she jokingly wanted to kill me (or maybe not jokingly)! Even so, she made the process so enjoyable and everything came together so effortlessly.

Kim, Sara, and Sonia are beyond talented. They are gifted in what they do. The dress that they made for me exceeded all my expectations, and that missing factor that I couldn't put my finger on (from the original inspiration) was no longer present! That's what happens when you have such talented individuals working with you and listening to each and every request you make. Kim, Sara, and Sonia were so patient, and never once made me feel like I was asking for something that could not be achieved. Oh, and did I mention that they basically made me 2 dresses because I decided to change my mind on the fabric very close to the end. Yes, that sounds rediculous, but it happened, and they were beyond accomodating!

Every single person that saw my dress was absolutely blown away. I can literally go on forever. As I write this, I truely miss spending the time and cannot wait until another amazing occasion where I can have the opportunity to come visit and make another dream dress a reality!

Miss you guys so much!!!

Love,

Morvarid Nasri

From the first day I walked into Valencienne, I was blown away by the beauty and quality of the wedding gowns. Although I wasn t exactly sure what I wanted, Kim had a vision for me and helped guide me in my decision making. from the breathtaking dress, to the stunning hair piece, I cannot thank Kim and the team at Valencienne enough for their dedication and passion. I absolutely loved my dress and overall experience and I highly recommend Valencienne Bridal!

Kim is absolutely amazing! I am in the process of having a dress made, and cannot wait to see what it looks like! I will update when the process is finished!

UPDATE!
I do not know where to start...
Kim and her team executed the most perfect and stunning double heirloom dress for my wedding. I cannot begin to express the professionalism, skill, eye for detail, and overall atmosphere of having a dress made with Kim. They were able to take the gapuire and Chantilly lace from my mother's 1982 wedding dress, and use it on my bodice. They then used reams of organza and French Mirage Tulle to create my luxurious, buttery skirt. My mother and I were blown away with the finished product, and it brought tears to our eyes. In addition, Kim picked out the accents of a hair piece and veil, to match perfectly with my dress. I cannot thank Kim and her team enough for bringing my vision to life! I still keep looking at pictures in amazement of how absolutely beautiful my dress was. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!

Thank you to Kim & the entire team at Valencienne! I couldn't have asked for a more perfect wedding gown. Thank you for being there every step of the way, from helping me realize my vision to my final fitting. We had some good laughs, and I'll definitely miss our chats, and those dangerous almond croissants next door! Maybe that's the reason we had to let my dress out so many times! But in all seriousness, I am so glad I chose to have my gown custom made by your team. After trying on so many wedding gowns at so many different bridal boutiques, I couldn't understand why I wasn't finding exactly what I was looking for. I couldn't justify settling on such a big purchase, and I am so glad that my search finally ended at Valencienne.

Kim and all of the wonderful ladies of Valencienne designed two amazing dresses - one for me and one for my mom. The entire process for my dress was completely wonderful, from the very first drawing through to my last fitting. Kim went above and beyond with a relatively tight budget and I couldn t be more grateful. As for my mom, she looked like a dream. It was so difficult to find a flattering dress off the rack, we knew we needed to go custom for her as well. My mom was so apprehensive about finding her dress, and we honestly could not have chosen better. Kim even worked with Elsa Corsi to design jewelry to match the style and colour of the dress.
Thank you so much for everything!

Whether you're looking for a bridal gown in Toronto, or somewhere to take your gown for alterations, go to Valencienne! Kim and Larissa were an absolute pleasure to work with, and brought my vision to life through their expertise and care.

Where do I ever begin? Kim and the team at Valencienne Bridal were amazing to work with ! She helped me create the most beautiful gown for my wedding day. She definitely was my favorite vendor during my ENTIRE wedding process. I enjoyed every single visit. She always has a vision and a creative eye and I can assure you you cannot go wrong with choosing Valencienne to design your wedding gown!

XOXo

I initially dreaded the wedding dress shopping experience since I had absolutely no desire in wearing a more conventional white gown. However, Valencienne was able to take my eccentric request (a 3-piece combo with blouse, jacket, and skirt) and turn it into a gorgeous outfit. I had an amazing time getting my one-of-a-kind dress made with Kim and her team of extremely professional, talented, and positive people, and I would highly them to any bride-to-be who wants a stress-free dress experience.

Kim Ironmonger and her wondrous team has made my bridal gown in the past and also bridesmaid & formal gowns for my family for addition events. I am so thankful to have found Valencienne! As a plus size woman with higher expectations, Kim delivers every time! Not only has she made our family showstopping gowns, she also custom made clutches for my brother's bridal party! See any major Canadian wedding publication and you will find Valencienne gowns in editorials and real brides!

Don't buy off a rack! Nothing, NOTHING beats the custom gown experience!

Unlike most brides, when I got engaged over two years ago dress shopping was the last thing I was looking forward to. Being a plus size girl, I had already resolved that I was never going to find a dress that made me feel 100% beautiful, or hide all the awkward parts I don t feel comfortable revealing.

About a year ago, I found a dress that I was going to settle for, sure I wasn t 100% sure on it, but I felt it was the best I could do, and it covered about 70% of my checklist of what I wanted in a dress. However, a part of me was still hesitant to commit to putting down a deposit and boy am I ever glad I went with my gut instinct.

Being lucky enough to work just across the street from Valencienne, I finally decided to listen to that little voice in my head that kept telling me to call that place with the beautiful dresses by work . As soon as I met with Kim I knew that she understood me and my concerns, without me really having to say much about them. I had not felt as comfortable or understood by anyone throughout this whole process as I did when I first met with Kim. That day I knew that not only was I in good hands, but I knew that I wasn t going to have to settle for anything when it came to my dress, I could get everything I wanted and more!

The appointments that followed left me in awe (and tears) every time. Kim and her whole team of amazing people always made me feel comfortable throughout all of my fittings and made sure I had a dress I was not only satisfied with made me feel like a [beautiful] BRIDE (something I didn t feel until my fittings at Valencienne). I will have to say that while I am excited to finally show off the amazing piece of work, I will miss visiting Kim and hearing all of her amazing (& hilarious) stories and the perpetual smile she would leave plastered on my face after each visit.

Kim and her team were amazing. I already had purchased my wedding dress when I went to Kim and was looking for an evening gown. Was so happy to learn that Kim does evening gowns (since she is most well known for wedding dresses). The dress turned out amazing and I had so many compliments on it on the wedding day! So happy with how it turned out. Thank you Kim!

I have to take the time to write a review because I have had the best, easiest, fun, accommodating experience with Valencienne, and Kim, twice! I first got married in 1995, and I had my wedding dress made by Valencienne. It was stunning, More

My daughter is a very unique young lady and loves beautiful and unique things, so buying a traditional dress off the rack was out of the question. She had a vision, I found Valencienne Bridal on line and made an appointment. We met Kim and when my daughter explained what she was looking for, without hesitation Kim said she would love to make my daughter's dream dress. Throughout the months we watched as this absolutely gorgeous dress came to life. Our daughter's wedding is in 4 weeks and I can not thank Kim and her amazing staff for fulling my little girls dream. The dedication and hard work and care that went into this is truly outstanding. Thank you Kim and everyone that was involved in this creation. If you have a vision of what your dress should be, then let Kim and her staff make your dream come true. Thank you again Kim and God Bless xoxoxoxxo

Kim and her team creates beautiful dresses with the highest quality material and craftsmanship. They created my wedding dress and recently, my sister's, which required some last minute alterations. Though understaffed, Kim's team went above and beyond to get the alterations done on time, even taking the dress home at night to meet the tight deadline presented to them.
Thank you to Kim & team for all your hard work and attention to detail, it's very much appreciated.

I cannot say enough about Kim and her amazing abilities to bring to life my vision for my wedding!!! She made me the most exquisite vail and matching balero for the church. I legitimately screamed in shock and excitement when I saw it... thank you, thank you, thank you! I strongly recommend Valencienne for any bride that wants to stand apart from the rest... I ll definitely be back for her one of a kind creations!

In the fall of 2017 I booked an appointment with Kim to explore the possibility of having my wedding dress custom made. I came to the appointment with an image, and idea, in hand and her and the team took that image and transformed it into the most romantic and classical dress that took my future-husband's breath away as I walked down the aisle. The whole process was seamless, enjoyable and truly a one-of-a-kind experience. So much love and hard work went into creating my dress and I couldn't be more grateful. Absolutely recommend Valencienne for your own special wedding dress creation!

The Runway Experience at Valencienne

Vogue, Harper s Bazaar, Wedluxe, and every other haute couture and luxury bridal magazine out there , have influenced my passion for designing and finding, not only the perfect wedding gown, but designing my very own dream wedding gown creation. From Valentino, Oscar de la Renta, Vera Wang, and Alexander McQueen, every piece of lace, organza, crystal, and bead have become a symbol of the high fashion haute couture wedding gown I hope to wear on the best day of my life. I want to wear a dress that is specifically made for me. I want the dress to be about me.

I knew I needed to find someone with the talent, experience, and passion for wedding couture. I did my research, I knew my fashion, and I certainly knew when I saw Valencienne s bridal designs, that she had the ability for my dream to magically become my very own Cinderella story.

From the first moment I walked through the door, both my mother and I were taken away with the fabulous surroundings of warmth and sparkle. The room was full of wedding gowns, not one wedding gown was the same. Each work of art carefully placed to see and admire the astonishing fine details. Every gown had a story to share

While sitting down for my initial consultation, my mother and I felt very comfortable and quickly became sure that we were in the right place. Laying there on the table was a beautiful piece of French lace that just arrived, the same lace I constantly pictured in my mind. Kim was like a fairy godmother. She took my ideas, my personal taste and flare, and designed the haute couture gown of my dreams. I felt like a celebrity, sitting down with her personal designer in plot and ambition to win best dressed on the red carpet! I loved it!

I loved that Kim shared my excitement. She understood how important my dress design was to me. She and I joined in my vision. She instantly became engaged in designing and creating every detail of the gown. Kim made me feel special, beautiful, and glamourous.

The best part, my mother and I have an experience we can share for the rest of our lives. A story I will tell my children. I will continue to share my experience and journey with Valencienne throughout the next several months. I can truly say, Valencienne is the one and only. Valencienne goes beyond the designer dress off the rack . Every dress becomes your own individual story.

True couture is the look of limitless, timeless, and elegant fashion. Valencienne gowns most importantly, allow brides to ensure they feel feminine, sexy, and beautiful. I am looking forward to my next visit to Valencienne and the complete and entire fashion journey.

Now how am I supposed to keep my dress details a secret for a year ???!!! haha

Thank you Kim! My dress is in your hands! ;)

Sparkle ;)

Last week I had the privilege of picking up my dream wedding gown !
There are not enough words to express my gratitude for all the talent within the Valencienne Boutique. A special thanks go out to Kim. She is the most wonderful, heart warming individual I have ever met. Not only does she shine with talent, but her care for her clients is over the top.

Valencienne made all of my dreams come true! My search for a dress was a rocky battle. As someone who is overweight, I knew from experience I wouldn t be treated the same as most girls. I had no idea how bad it really would feel. When a dress is held up in front of you because you cannot fit into it and you tell a salesperson I m going to lose weight, and can tell she doesn t believe you it is discouraging. They don t know my story or the sad journey of how I got to this place. I knew if I ordered a dress 8 months out (the length of time it typically takes to order a designer dress) I would have to blindly pick a size. You can lose weight but you can t demand your body lose it in certain spots. I got discouraged and remembered back to the Wedluxe show and how gorgeous the display at Valencienne was. I booked my appointment. When you first walk into the store it is like a dream, the dresses are like floating clouds of beauty, and the smell from the reed diffuser, a mix of peonies and gardenia is one thing I will truly miss. The smell adds to the experience-believe me! The store itself transports you to Paris, bottles of Chanel No.5 flank the shelves and mirrored furniture show reflections of the masterpieces throughout. This is a space that can only be described as the studio of a true atelier. I remember meeting Kim Ironmonger for the first time. I told her my story and quickly realized she had heard my story before. I explained my design and showed pictures and remember Kim drawing up the beautiful sketch. I was so happy, but particularly thrilled that when I explained my journey of how I hoped to lose weight, Kim didn t even flinch, she just simply said ok, I believe you. She looked me in the eye and then it was a moment of trust- I knew this was the woman who would make my dress. I have never worried through this process, I just knew I was in good hands & I know why. Every visit I made Kim and her staff were so invested in my journey. They are passionate and hands-on. You can tell they care about the story. Kim even waited to make certain parts of my dress until I lost weight which I so appreciated because she truly believed in me. It was hard I m sure for her and her staff to not have a normal timeline, but they did it so I could be as successful in my journey as possible. My dress is absolute perfection, so beautiful, I was awestruck by the lace detailing, so stunning it looks as though angels have sewn it themselves. My dress is so gorgeous I don t know if there are words. The dress is going to make my wedding on Saturday like the fairy tale I always dreamed of, it is a dress fit only for a princess. I had no idea I could have a dress so special, so perfectly suited for me. My dreams came true because of Kim and her team at Valencienne.

Kim and the whole team at Valencienne are just absoulety amazing! I was nervous having my dress made but after the fantastic work that these ladies have done, I wouldn't have done it any other way! I am so grateful to them for their patience and kindness. They made my vision come true! My mom also had her dress made with Kim and she absoulety loved it!. Thank you so much Kim and to the whole team at Valencienne

With a "later in life" second wedding, I was hoping for an elegant and classy vibe for my wedding dress. Kim created exactly what I hoped for!! When I found an on-line picture of a gown I liked, my wedding planner Crystal suggested I visit Kim at Valencienne. I never looked back - I never even stepped into a bridal salon. What Kim created was even more beautiful than the inspirational picture I found. The dress fit me perfectly and received SO many compliments. It was always fun to travel into Toronto to visit Kim, and watch the gown grow in stages each time. Kim even offered to create my dress in two pieces (top and bottom) so that I can wear the top again at a formal event - what a great idea! I strongly recommend Kim to anyone who hopes to achieve a unique look and own a quality product. Kim and her team are talented, creative and love what they do. Valencienne is amazing!!

Valencienne bridal has absolutely stunning and beautiful wedding dress selections! After many shops I went, FINALLY I found "that's the one" gown that speaks to me in a second when I put it on in Valencienne. Kim is super helpful, she has a distinctive vision and taste for wedding dress, and she knows exactly what would look just amazing on the bride. And my wedding is next month, they make alteration very quickly! Incredible experience with Valencienne, and will definitely recommend if you're looking for a "wow" gown that will immediately stands out from average white dress crowd!

Kim and all the ladies at Valencienne made my experience absolutely magical! I was scared that the dress in my head would never become a reality, but the moment I sat down with Kim, she just understood me! Having a dress custom made is an amazing experience that every woman should have! I just had my final fitting for my wedding dress yesterday and I couldn't be happier with the results!! The attention to detail is amazing. Truly an honour to work with Valencienne from start to finish!

Kim's team truly outdid themselves. Each visit was truly a memorable one and the experience is something that will always be such a fond memory during the planning process.

Thank you so much for your passion and your vision!

Kim & the Valencienne team made my dream wedding dress absolute PERFECTION. Kim is patient, diligent and kept making adjustments until it was all just right. I always felt in such talented hands at Valenciennes Bridal!

Brides, look no further. Valencienne is truly the epitome of bridal luxury and beauty at its finest. I've looked through thousands of dresses but could not find one that was close to the idea I had in my head. The first time I described my vision to Kim, she knew exactly what I was envisioning and was able to sketch out my dream dress before my eyes. I just had my first fitting and I am so incredibly excited to see the rest of my wedding dress come to life. Everything is made with love at Valencienne and you can tell this by the passion of the team, the little details, and care that goes into the entire process.

Kim and her team did an outstanding job making my vision for a wedding dress a reality. Her creativity and level of detail made dress fittings a pleasure. She and her team also created a beautiful rehearsal dinner outfit, 8 bridesmaids dresses and a mother of the bride dress. They are simply outstanding and work around the clock to make it happen!

The ladies at Valencienne are such a pleasure to work with! From my first meeting with Sarah, she knew exactly what I had envisioned and drew up my dream wedding gown. I cannot wait to wear my dress on my wedding day. Thank you all so much!!

My experience at Valencienne can be summed up in one word, AMAZING. When I first got engaged, I knew exactly what I wanted, once I started shopping and trying on dresses I realized nothing was quite measuring up to what I envisioned in my head. After visiting over 15 stores in the GTA I could not find "the" dress. So I made an appointment at Valencienne, my sister had heard about this store. The moment I walked into Valencienne and met Kim, I knew that I was going to buy my dress there. I took about five minutes to look at the samples, I selected one dress to try on and fell in love with the concept of the dress. After discussing a few minor changes, Kim brought all of my ideas together and sketched my dress. That was when the journey began, an experience I will never forget. Kim and Sonia are an amazing team who continuously had/have the patience for all of my endless questions, phone calls and minor changes. They were always willing to accommodate all of my requests. Kim's personality and style are truly exquisite. I am getting married in 7 weeks, as the big day draws close I know my visits to see Kim are coming to an end, only two more appointments. I cannot wait for my final visits and to wear my wedding dress. It is an absolutely gorgeous creation and I would recommend Valencienne to any bride looking for their perfect dress.

Kim is like a fairy god mother that makes wishes come true! She brought my dream, Dior inspired bridal gown to life and I will never forget the magical moment, when I put it on the morning of my wedding day! I literally danced for joy! It fit like a glove and was everything I had dreamed of. I had tried on so many gowns in various boutiques in the city and could not find what I was looking for, until I met Kim. Kim is a visionary and her and her team were an absolute pleasure to collaborate with! Thank you so very much Kim!

After envisioning a unique wedding dress, and finding nothing that truly represented my vision, I went to see Kim at Valencienne. I explained what I was looking for (punches of blue crinoline, beads, and a bit of sparkle) Kim was able to draw my vision, and better yet actually create the dress I was looking for! The dress turned out perfect! In addition to my wedding dress, Kim designed and created my 5 (different style, same fabric) bridesmaids dresses, as well as created matching ties for the fellows.

That was back in 2012... Fast Forward 2018, I needed a formal gown, I again wanted a specific style, colour, and fit. I brought in a picture, explained some other details I wanted included, and again, like magic, what was in my head, was put to paper, and created into a gown.

Bottom line. Got an idea? Can't find it? Go see Kim. She can make it happen.

Going to Valencienne is hands down the best bridal experience you will ever have! I met Kim and her team in 2009 when I accompanied a friend to her beautiful shop to inquire about a custom gown, by the time I left the store I knew that if I ever got married I would be a Valencienne bride. Fast forward to 2014, after close family and friends the first call I made after I got engaged was to Valencienne to book an appointment for my gown. Kim and her team not only have some of the most creative and talented hands in the business but are the sweetest people you will ever meet! There really is nothing better then the custom gown experience you receive at Valencienne- they are accommodating, kind, professional, and above all extremely talented. There is no better store to have the couture, bespoke experience! It is a place that becomes a sanctuary in the craziness of wedding plans, one escapes to the shop for their fittings and is surrounded by beauty, fabrics and beading that are right of couture fantasy and of course your own personal fairy god mother to create the dress of your dreams. I cannot say enough about the wonderful experience Valencienne provided me with- if you are looking for bespoke, custom design- look no further then the white and blue striped awning on Eglinton

Having my dress custom made by Valencienne was truly an extraordinary once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget! I sincerely feel grateful that I had the opportunity to meet Kim and the team at Valencienne and am so proud to say I am a Valencienne bride.
If you are looking for a custom gown, Valencienne is the place to go. You leave not only as a happy bride, but as a friend. I miss pulling up to the pretty blue and white stripped sign and being so excited for every visit.

Lots of love,

Monica

I was recently in a bridal party where we decided to have our dresses custom made at Valencienne Bridal. We d had some difficulty in finding what we were looking for and had high hopes that Kim would be able to deliver what we were looking for. However, Valencienne proved to be a huge disappointment overall and we would not go back again.

We originally went to see Kim in the middle of January 2017. We were not looking for the typical, long, gown bridesmaid dresses. We were looking for something a little shorter and a bit more fun. We were looking for pleated, knee length, A-line skirts, bustiers, and lace crop top overlays with/without sleeves as to each lady s preference. We agreed on the price which she quoted us which was $375- $400 per bridesmaid. Fitting dates started in mid to end of April. The date of the wedding was May 27th 2017.

The finished product was sub par quality for the price. The skirts were unlined. Each dress was not consistently finished. One in our group in particular pointed out deficiencies and asked for remedies, certain things such as a hook eye closure on the bustier and 2 hooks on the skirt. She did receive these things but the rest of the bridal party did not. Furthermore, zippers were not trimmed to fit garments (basic sewing 101), and the boning in the bustier was flimsy (if there is actually any boning in there at all - none of us were willing to tear it open to find out). There was also inconsistency with what she told us and what we got. One of the bridesmaids was told that the neckline on her dress would be fixed and dropped down to be more comfortable. It was not. At the reception, she finally had had enough of feeling like her dress was choking her. She removed the lace overlay and wore the bustier alone with the skirt so that she would have the freedom to dance comfortably. Another one of the bridesmaids was told that she did not require a final fitting. Her dress in particular was not sized properly and the separate pieces did not line up correctly. She spent the better part of the day adjusting it so that it would look correct for photos before giving up on it altogether. Also these "Custom" outfits were cut in bulk and fitted instead of being made to measure.

Moreover, she wasn't clear on pricing until she was pressed to be. And her pricing was incorrect and needed to be checked because she overcharged us at first by $100.

Also, out of the 5 of us bridesmaids only one felt that she didn t receive any unwarranted attitude from Kim. The rest of us found her to be incredibly unwelcoming and unpleasant to work with. I personally, dreaded going to my appointments as I found her to be unnecessarily condescending, cold and unfriendly. A direct quote from another in our party, I altogether felt uncomfortable during the whole process. I felt like we were almost a nuisance instead of clients paying a significant amount of money. It felt like she was doing us a favour by deigning to make these dresses for us. That we weren't such a priority. Another one of the ladies in our group went for her final fitting and felt that Kim didn t have any desire to give her the time of day since she was busy with other, obviously more important people in her shop. Coincidentally, this is the girl whose lace overlay never got lowered and adjusted to the correct level as stated that it would be. Having custom dresses made should be a fun, joyous experience. Unfortunately one left much to be desired.

The icing on the cake: our quite pricey dresses were handed to us in white garbage bags instead of proper garment bags. We ve all made purchases off the rack in the past, where we dressed for considerably less, that came with garment bags. Total failure!

Being a Valencienne bride was one of the most special experiences I had while I was planning my wedding! My wedding gown turned out to be more than I ever could have imagined.

Like every other bride, I went from shop to shop trying to find a wedding gown with every perfect detail that fit my body perfectly and I wasn t able to find it anywhere! I would definitely say I was a very particular and meticulous kind of bride and having a custom designed wedding gown meant that I was able to have whatever my heart desired and in the end, it turned out to be the most beautiful creation I ve ever seen!

My wedding gown was fit to perfection and the details were absolutely flawless! I looked forward to every single fitting and it was so bitter sweet when it all came to an end! The ladies at Valencienne truly are THE dream team and carry so much love, patience, experience and talent that is rarely found in any other wedding shop.



I would highly recommend the Valencienne experience to any bride-to-be. It s a personal experience that you will never forget and it was a beautiful memory that I got to create with my mom and sister leading up to my special day!

Thank you very much for helping me find an exquisite wedding dress. Kim and her staff went above and beyond in the attentiveness and service with huge last minute alterations that were done perfectly as well as the custom top and veil that was just gorgeous. Your expertise and class and the overall atmosphere of Valencienne Bridal made me feel very welcomed!

I have tried a minimum of 50 dresses at various stores between Hamilton and Toronto. All the dresses I tried on were not unique enough for my dream wedding in Santorini. I knew which dress I was interested in in Valencienne Bridal. I first saw a photo of the dress on their website. Luckily the dress was available in the store a few days before my appointment. I was the first one trying the dress. After that day, I couldn t stop thinking of the Valencienne dress, and I knew I finally found my dream DRESS.
When I first walked into Valencienne, I was so impressed by the beauty and high quality of the garments. Kim is so friendly and welcoming and professional. From the first day, I knew that I could completely trust Kim and her team. They have lots of creativity, knowledge, and skills to make gorgeous customized gowns. My experience was terrific, and I highly recommend Kim and her team for their dedication and passion! I guarantee you will never regret your decision.

The designer and owner, Kim, is exceptional at her craft. She listens well.

I can't say enough about the service we received from Kim at Valencienne. She designed my Mother's gown for my Wedding. Aside from the fact that the gown was stunning and she received a ton of compliments, Kim went above and beyond to provide us with exceptional service. She went out of her way to find the perfect fabric for my Mom...and PERFECT it was.

Not only is Kim an amazing designer but an amazing soul. She would give me inspirational chats days before my Wedding whenever Would go in with my Mom for her fittings. I definitely recommend Kim to any Bride, Mother of the Bride etc. She will make your experience stress free and pleasant.

Thank you Kim!!!! Look forward to having you design upcoming gowns!
You are a true designer!!!!

Elisa

Beautiful and welcoming bridal shop with a large selection of wedding gowns, as well as they have lots of creativity and skills to make your own customized dress! Thanks to Kim and the Valencienne team, I found my dream gown and I am sure that I ll look 100% on the special date!

Thank you one more time!

My mother's search for a gown to wear to my wedding began and ended with Valencienne. My mom had a specific vision and Kim brought it to life. The process is spectacular - allowing you to see the gown every step of the way and feeling assured you will be 100% happy. The gown is gorgeous, luxurious and fits like a glove. Thank you Kim and the Valencienne team!

They dont have much, the woman didnt even greet us properly, she didnt even get out of the chair to show me the dresses just sat there, told us to look around, customer service=0.

Crappy old designs, seen better at tom.jeon and sophies

I was a bridesmaid for one of Kim's Valencienne brides...so I had an idea of Kim's dress-making process and the fun that would ensue for each dress fitting. When it was time for my own wedding, there was no doubt where I'd buy my dress. I knew the exquisite craftsmanship I would be in store for---I already owned a fabulous Valencienne bridesmaid dress. What really struck me as a Valencienne bride, though, was the amount of love she pored into the process--Kim wasn't happy until I was happy. I initially chose a dress in her showroom: a beautiful, delicate lace dress. But as my wedding plans progressed, and the wedding morphed into an extravaganza, I felt in my heart that the dress wasn't going to fit the venue. Kim sensed this, sat me down, and almost like a superhero with telepathic powers, she drew a sketch of the most magnificent showstopper of a gown. It was exactly what I envisioned but couldn't quite articulate. The final fitting brought tears to my eyes. I felt like a queen...with a fit and flare skirt and a mile-long train and vail.

Visiting Kim at Valencienne is like visiting your fun, fairy godmother. She greets you with hugs, regales you with the most amazing stories, and with a flick of the wrist she creates the dress of your dreams. No other bridal shop can give you the love, attention and affection Kim gives.

Kim, I want to thank you for fulfilling my dreams. You created a masterpiece gown that not only matched my venue, but reflected my wildest dreams. I felt like the most beautiful version of myself in your dress. And I hope to save the dress so that one day, if I have a daughter, she can feel like a princess too. If I could hang the dress in my house like an art exhibit I would. It is that exquisite.

Kim and her team are amazingly kind and talented! She created my dream dress and made the entire experience one I will never forget. My dress is so unique and beautiful, exactly how I hoped it would be. She made sure it fit perfectly. The new shop is so beautiful as well as all the bridal accessories that are also available. We found a hair piece that was absolutely made for my dress! I cant thank Kim and her team enough for truly making bridal dress shopping an experience I will forever cherish!

It was a pleasure working with Kim and the entire Valencienne Team. They are true artists and masters of their craft. Kim was able to bring together the pieces I loved together from multiple dresses to create the perfect dress for me. She was patient and understanding during the entire process. I would highly recommend Valencienne if you are looking for a beautifully crafted and unique dress.

Thank you!!!
The team at Valencienne Bridal is phenomenal. As two woman tying the knot we wanted our dresses to show our individuality as well as complementing each others. We had searched tirelessly online for ideas and samples but most of what we found was disappointing. We came to Valencienne based on its amazing reviews and were instantly relieved. We met with Kim who had so many ideas to capture what we wanted. We were able to have different coloured dresses with accents and lace to tie them together flawlessly. Planning a wedding is stressful enough but after our first visit we knew the dresses were not something we would have to worry about.

Kim and the team are extremely dedicated and professional from start to finish. Thank you again our dresses were perfect and so was our beautiful day.

My experience with Valencienne Bridal was amazing. I had a very short time frame to have a dress made. I went into Valencienne with no real vision in mind other than wanting to look prettier and skinnier. Kim designed a dress for me that not only accomplished my "vision" but was also the PERFECT dress for me. On my wedding day, I felt amazing and there was not a single guest at my wedding that did not ask me about my spectacular dress.

From the day I started the process with having my wedding dress made to my wedding day, I felt confident and secure that I would have a dress that would be great and it ended up far surpassing my expectations. This is why my experience was amazing. They made me my "dream" wedding dress!

Thank you Valencienne Bridal!!

Kim and the whole Valencienne ladies are amazing! It has been an absolute pleasure. From the moment I described my dream dress and Kim put my words in a sketch, I knew my search was over. It was the first time I got that this is the one feeling and I wasn t even trying on any dresses. They are so unbelievably talented and always put their brides first through this whole process. I am so proud to be wearing a custom Valencienne gown on Saturday!!!

5 stars is not enough to rate the quality of service and expertise of Kim and her wonderful team. I set an appointment with Kim after a frusterating year of looking at photos online/pintrest etc. I had no idea what to wear to my wedding and I am not a very fashionable person. Kim asked me a few questions and got to know me and in about 20 minutes she drew out the most perfect dress. Being an untraditional bride who doesn't wear dresses (unless she is forced to), Kim designed a GORGEOUS pants suit for me. To please my future husband and my mother, Kim designed a skirt to lay over the pants suit. The fabric was light enough that I wouldn't overheat and hid the pants PERFECTLY under the skirt. I have an athletic build, widee shoulders than usual, and Kim designed a slimming open back design for the top half of the dress. I told her I was also planning to wear my favourite pearl necklace and she designed the dress with a boat neck to follow the shape of my necklace. She added beautiful italian lace sleeves to hide my inevitable tan lines. Finally, being non-traditional as I am, she found the perfect colour for my wedding dress. It was a blush pink colour that suited my skin tone so well. Kim listened to me and with her 35 or somethin years of service made the experience so painless and pleasant. I was so happy to have a dress that reflected my personality so well, and somehow she created this design in 20 minutes. She took the guesswork out of everything. She knows exactly what she is talking about and she and her team execute their skills flawlessly. My mother was so impressed when she saw me on my wedding day. She realized that the dress was absolutely me and she realized how comfortable I felt in a dress that complimented me perfectly. My husband, at our first look, although I had given him an idea of my dress, had no idea what to expect (from my attempt at drawing the dress out on paper for him). He could not believe his eyes. I do not plan on getting married ever again, but I cannot wait for the next event where I can justify visiting Kim again!

The team at Valencienne are experts with over 30 years of experience with dresses, clothing and fabrics. I was happy to hear they are doing alterations since they always pay close attention to detail.

I had this idea of my dream gown in my head, but could not find it in any store, within my price range. Valencienne was then recommended to me, and Kim was able to help make that gown become a reality, and worked with me to stay in my budget!!

Valencienne Bridal is an absolute must! Kim is a true visionary, a master at her craft. Each beautiful creation is truly unique and detail orientated. Her team brings a high degree of knowledge, skill and expertise that is unmatched. Fittings are always pleasurable, as Kim s wit and humour will instantly put you at ease. Valencienne Bridal is deeply committed to producing high quality garments that any bride is sure to stun in.

Women creativity will always conquer the world women they're greatly blessed

If you are even considering getting a dress custom made - go to Valencienne! Words cannot explain what an amazing experience I had with them. Not only did Kim and team design and then produce the most beautiful wedding dress, they made the entire experience so fun and positive. The dress turned out to be even more beautiful than I could have imagined and I felt like a goddess on my wedding day thanks to them.

I had a very specific vision for my wedding dress. I also have some experience with sewing, making and wearing ballet costumes, so I knew exactly what and how I wanted it to be - a nightmare client combination!

For Kim and her team this was easy. The clear and consistent communication built trust between the two of us - Kim took every note and thought I had very seriously and I was able to trust her judgement and artistry. The end result was a dress I LOVED and made me feel like a queen.

My dress was very different to traditional gowns. I wanted a very couture look - a short, structured ballgown with an oversized bow on the back. There wasn't any existing imagery for us to reference so I made a mood board to clearly identify how I wanted each section to look. The result was a unique creation I will treasure forever.

Thank you to Kim and her wonderful team!

Sandra xxx

When I first started looking at wedding dresses I felt like I was never going to find the dress I envisioned myself wearing. Then I came across Valencienne, and from the moment I walked in the door to have my initial consultation with Kim, I knew that I was in good hands. My Valencienne gown is absolutely stunning; the craftsmanship is unparalleled. It's exactly what I envisioned from the start, and I'm so excited to wear it on my wedding day.

Valencienne was absolutely the right choice for creating a re-designed version of my mother's wedding gown. Their quality and service gave me full confidence that this task was in the right hands. The vision I had in mind was sketched right before my eyes, and my trust in their artistry allowed me to relax and let them create the magic. When I tried on the final piece, it was more beautiful than I had imagined! I didn't want to take it off!

I must have tried on at least 50 dresses at 8 different shops before coming to Valencienne, and couldn't find the dress of my dreams. There was always something I wanted to tweak with each dress I tried on. There was a dress that was almost perfect, but there were some details about it I did not like. I brought my dilemma to Kim and showed her pictures of my almost perfect dress. She listened to my concerns and was able to help me tweaked the dress to perfection. We changed the cut slightly, the lace pattern, and material. I was so comfortable on my wedding day, able to move and dance with ease. It was exactly as I envisioned it. Overall, my experience at Valencienne has been excellent! Getting a custom dress tailored to my body was way more affordable than I expected. It was also super fun to see exactly how a custom wedding dress is made. Definitely recommend if you are super picky bride like me!

Beautiful boutique, with gorgeous gowns. Staff were friendly and accommodating, and if you're looking for something that's unique you're sure to find it here.

After trying over 120 dresses at ALL the promising bridal stores in Toronto, I thought my pursuit in finding the perfect wedding dress was hopeless and that I would have to start looking out of the country until... one day I showed up at Vancienne's doorstop.

A girlfriend of mine got married a few years ago and was thrilled with her bespoke Valencienne wedding dress, so I thought I would give her a shot.

The moment I walked into the store I felt at ease. Her shop was beautiful and Kim was extremely pleasant to work with. Something just really made me trust her-- my mom felt it to!

After explaining the vision for my very *special* dream wedding dress, she thought about it for some time, then looked at me and told me it wasn't going to be easy, but if there was one person who could get the job done, it was her.

Now my "vision" was more like a seamstress' nightmare... which required her to solve a complicated jigsaw puzzle in order to wake up from it.

In less words, I wanted them to engineer a proprietary fabric made completely of lace based on the curves/shape of my body... Oh yes and make it stretch :) For anyone that knows a thing or two about dress-making, you can appreciate the complexity of the job at hand here.

Now with everything complete, I am ecstatic to report that not only did the Valencienne team get the job done, but she blew my expectations wayyyyyy out of the water (and I'm not easily impressed).

The craftsmanship, attention to detail and quality of work on my Valencienne gown rivals even the greatest Israeli wedding designers of the world (trust me I've tried them).

Team Valencienne literally created couture on my body.

Kim's ideas and creative direction really brought my dream to life. Her eye for bridal, fashion and the female form is exquisite.

Sara is young and already an incredibly talented seamstress. She worked diligently on my dress and always made sure I left ecstatic with the work being done.

Sonia's expertise and craftsmanship on my dress always left me in awe as she made sure it was absolutely flawless.

I can't say enough good things about the team. The level of professionalism and service that I received at Valencienne made me feel like I was at a private couture atelier.

I honestly couldn't wait for my next Valencienne appointment to see the girls and try on my dream dress.

I'm sad that I don't have any upcoming Valencienne sessions in my calendar, but I look forward to the next occasion when I can hire them for another very special dress.

Thanks ladies!!!

Love,
Elle & The Elle Dress

I would like to thank you all for bringing my daughters Fairy Tale wedding to Life!
From the first time we met a year ago, I knew I was in the best of hands. Dealing with my daughter who has the most difficult timing making decisions, the experience and process in bringing this gown to life, was amazing and very gratifying. We both enjoyed coming to the boutique regularly.
Although the process may have been long you (KIM) never made us feel that our vision was unable to be captured. Not only with my daughters beautiful Cinderella gown, but with my day & evening gowns, your talent shined within. I thank you for the many compliments we received on my daughters wedding day and will definitely see you soon.