30-Day Bride-The Dress

The 30-Day Bride is Karina Lemke, a Toronto-based florist, wedding planner and TV host who decided on May 13 to tie the knot on July 1. For 30 consecutive days we’re tracking Karina and her fiancé, Mark Breslin (of Yuk Yuk’s fame), as they reveal their trials and tribulations. We’ll have all the juicy details leading up to, and including, their big day.

To find a wedding dress in less than 30 days is truly a challenge. Despite the fact that many brides today are opting for shorter engagements, most shops still require six months to process an order (customers can try on samples but then a new dress needs to be made, shipped to Canada and altered). Karina knows the process well but she still decided to test her luck and pay a visit to Rhonda at the Vera Wang Bridal Salon in Yorkville.

Dress fitting

Like most brides-to-be, Karina’s wedding-dress needs are fairly specific. She wants something that’s appropriate for a beach wedding, is easily transportable and, of course, can be finished in just three short weeks. (Karina and Mark leave for California on May 20, and Karina plans to have a dress in the seat next to her on the airplane.)

Because of the time constraints, Karina didn’t think she’d find something at Vera Wang. But, alas, she tried on a few dresses only to experience the much coveted ‘this is the one!’ fashion moment. Rhonda said she could get the dress for Karina but that it wouldn’t arrive in store ’til one week before Karina leaves for California. Of course, Karina’s Type-A personality couldn’t handle the stress of something going wrong and so, after much pleading, she finally convinced Rhonda to sell her the sample that she had tried on (sure beats waiting for an entirely new dress to be made from scratch).

Dress fitting

We stopped in to see the dress after it had been cleaned and it was as good as new. Just to be sure that she had chosen wisely, Karina slipped on another favourite dress and she just knew — she had made the right choice.

So what does this magical wedding gown look like? You didn’t think we’d show you before the wedding, did you?  (That would be bad luck!)

Follow the 30-Day Bride to catch a glimpse Karina’s gorgeous gown.

Day 30 - 30 -Day Bride Day 29 -The Date Is Set Day 28 -The Location Day 27 - Brace Yourself For The Unexpected Day 24 – The Photographer Day 23- The InvitationsDay 22 – Dance Lessons Day 21 – Dance Lesson #1 Day 20 – Décor Part 1 Day 17 – The Dress Day 16 – Needs Your Help Day 15 – Sort Of Jewish WeddingDay 14 -Things Change Quickly Day 13 –  Off to California Day 8- Their Back Day 6- The Cake Is Ordered