Sustainable and ethical bridal fashion is not just a trend; it’s a necessary shift towards a more responsible and conscious industry. While I don’t normally write about fashion and stick to my lane (as an Ottawa Wedding Photographer), this issue is close to my heart so I wanted to share some ideas for those who are looking.
The issue of sustainable fashion is all the more pertinent when considering an event where the bride will usually only wear the dress once in her lifetime. In a capital city like Ottawa, couples are more conscious of the choices they make and their impact on the environment. Our summers are getting hotter, forest fires inching closer to the city and the winters are less predictable. Below, I share some examples of how you can make more sustainable and ethical choices and still have a unique, elegant, and sophisticated look.
Upcycle a Family Heirloom
Leilani’s dress was classic, elegant, and unfussy (like Leilani herself). She happens to be an environmental scientist, so it was important for her that her vendor choices for this meaningful event matched her values. Her solution to this ‘problem’ for her wedding dress, was not only a sustainable decision. She chose to have her Mother’s original vintage lace wedding dress reconstructed and repaired by a seamstress to match her style. It suited her perfectly and told a story without her having to tell it. She honored her Mother and her Mother’s history and made it her own. This dress held a value that money could not buy and was at the same time, in a practical way, a sustainable and ethical choice.
A couple of years ago I styled a wedding shoot, hired models, and a make-up artist, and borrowed clothing and accessories from local designers and vintage store owners. This shoot was done at the back of an old abandoned shop and I included there some ideas that tick many ethical and sustainable boxes.
Support a Local Ottawa Fashion Designer
This amazing yellow dress is by a designer from London, in the UK. If you aren’t a traditional bride and want a one-off piece that allows you to stand out at your wedding, then you should check out the creative talent in Ottawa, Toronto, and other nearby cities. Below are a couple of articles to help with your research. A dress made by a local designer will be made in Canada, usually by the designer themself, so you can easily verify the conditions of the workers involved. And you will be supporting a local business.
From CBC News: Does Ottawa have fashion? Yes, and the community says it’s growing
Buy a Vintage Dress
If you don’t have a family member with a classic dress to pass on to you, then take a look online at Etsy or visit one of the many high-quality vintage clothing stores here in Ottawa. You can head to St-Vincents to try your luck or head to some of the specialty stores where designer and high-end styles or specific eras of fashion have been curated already for you to search through. There is no doubt that you will find a unique and classic piece that stands out from the fast fashion of today’s world. And you can always take it to a tailor to have adjustments made to suit your figure and/or style. You’ll be preventing waste and giving these clothes new life without adding more to the already massive piles and piles of clothing waste. As well as that, you can always sell or donate it back to the store when you’re done for someone else to enjoy later.
The following link provides a list of some of the best vintage stores in Ottawa: Ottawa’s Best Vintage Stores and Consignment Shops
Sustainable and Ethical Bridal Fashion
As a wedding photographer based in Ottawa, I’m inspired when I meet couples who are planning their wedding according to their own unique vision and values. If you are organizing a sustainable wedding, I’d love to be your photographer! Contact me to book a free consultation for your wedding today.
