Last-Minute Wedding Dresses Ottawa
So You’re a Last-Minute Bride in Ottawa… Now What?
First off, deep breath. You’re not alone. We are here with you now and we are going to get you into your absolute dream dress! The truth is, unless you have been married before or have done extensive wedding research, you may not know that wedding dresses take between 9 - 12 months to be ready for you! So whether your wedding date moved up, you didn’t leave enough time to shop, or you simply didn’t know what you wanted until now, we see last-minute brides all the time. And we get it: time is ticking, stress is rising, and you're wondering, "Is it even possible to find a dress this late?"
The answer? Yes. Absolutely. 100%.
And even better? You don’t have to pay outrageous rush fees or settle for something you don't love.
Why Buying Local in Ottawa Makes All the Difference
When you shop local, you're skipping the wait times, customs delays, and import taxes that come with ordering from international retailers. You're also supporting Canadian designers and businesses that understand the needs of Canadian Brides,especially those on a tight timelines.
All the designers we carry offer rush options with extremely fast delivery times, often as little as two weeks with low cost fees. We also have an in-house alterations team ready to move fast.
Meet Our Designers Who Can Deliver FAST (& their rush costs)
1. Ouma
Love a romantic, feminine silhouette with a modern twist? Ouma’s gowns are dreamy and distinct. They are quickly changing the space through their work in defining new romance bringing classic gowns to the avant-garde. Located in Vancouver, Canada, she brings runway details to aisle ready gowns. Ouma is known for their hand appliquees and embroidery, zero waste approaches, and couture gowns.
And best of all, Ouma offers rush options as fast as 8 weeks. That’s a fraction of the usual 6–9 months you’d expect from most designers.
At Always Knew, we believe in honest, fair pricing, especially for brides in a pinch. Our rush fees are transparent and budget-friendly, with costs depending on the designer and timeline needed.
Traditional regular production time is between 20-24 weeks
- Premium rush (17-19 weeks) + $350
- Priority rush (14 - 16 weeks) + $400
- Immediate (11 - 13 weeks ) + $450
- Super Rush (8 - 10 weeks) + $550
PS. Check out the Sora, Elise, & Elysian gowns that just arrived from the Ouma Echo collection, their 2026 drop that is “inspired by the soft yet powerful nature of the wind, these gowns embody quiet strength, elegance, and romance.”
2. Kathryn Bass
Kathryn Bass is a Canadian bridal designer known for modern inclusive sizing and unlimited customizations. Kathryn Bass is the designer for the Brides & Nearlyweds who want to create the gown of their dreams by taking a stunning "base" gown (aka our samples) and have it reflect their personal style through customizations. If you've tried on a dress somewhere else and said "It's perfect, but..", "Can we make it more...", "I wish I could merge this top and this bottom...", then Kathryn Bass is the perfect wedding dress solution for you.
But what will that cost?
Traditional regular production time is between 16-24 weeks, depending on the time of year
- 12 week rush + $150
- 10 week rush + $ 200
- 8 week rush + $250
We are so lucky to work with Canadian designers that are committed to helping ALL Brides & Nearlyweds regardless of their time frame. Kathryn Bass offers SUPER RUSH options as quick as 2 weeks. These super rush options are subject to approval by the designer depending on their production schedule
- 6 week rush + $350
- 4 week rush + $450
- 2 week rush + cost tbd
The unlimited customizations can still happen within these timelines, Incredible right?
3. Pearle by Katrina Tuttle
Based in Halifax, Pearle by Katrina Tuttle is the bespoke wedding designer of your dreams. Her collection comprises customizable gowns and accessories that allow all clients to mix bodices, skirts, laces, sleeves, and colours for a curated vision.
Traditional regular production time is between 20-26 weeks, depending on the time of year
- 18 week rush + $275
- 12 week rush + $350
Compare that to international brands that slap on $500+ just to move your order up the queue, and then leave you sweating at customs. Yikes. Not only are our designers designing in Canada, but they are MANUFACTURING in Canada as well. There is no stress about shipping delays or importing taxes.
What About Alterations?
We’re so glad you asked. Most Brides & Nearlyweds don’t realize that alterations can take up to 3 months to be completed, happening right before the wedding day.. That’s where Always Knew really shines: we have our own in-house alteration team that can work with rush timelines.
We break down your alterations into three visits.
- Your first visit is the consultation. Our senior Ottawa Bridal Seamstresses discuss what tweaks you’d like to make to the gown and pin to your suiting. Read here about the most common alterations and their price points
- Your second visit is the confirmation visit. Our seamstresses have not cut any material yet, you’ll try on your gown and make sure everything is picture perfect.
- Cut, Sewn & ready to take home with you on your third visit.
Having in house alterations allow for quick fittings, priority scheduling for rush orders, and transparent pricing with no last-minute surprises. Bottom line? You don’t need to stress about finding a separate seamstress or wonder if you’ll be ready in time. We’ve got you covered—from the moment you say yes to the dress to the final fitting.
We usually order the gown to ensure that you are minimizing your rush fees. When possible we try to have our Brides only pay one rush fee, whether that be to the designer or alterations team.
What If I Don’t Know What I Want?
That’s totally okay! In fact, many last-minute brides come to us feeling overwhelmed because they haven’t had time to "find the one" yet.
That’s why we are here to help. We’ll guide you through styles that work with venue, and vision, without pressure or fluff. You’ll get honest advice, try on real samples, and walk away feeling empowered (and excited!).
Tips for Last-Minute Bridal Shopping (Without the Panic)
Here are some helpful tips to keep you calm, focused, and fabulous:
- Be decisive and ready to say yes. Trust your gut. If it feels right, it probably is.
- Ask about rush timelines up front . We’ll give you honest turnaround times.
- Schedule fittings early! Especially if alterations are needed.
Why Always Knew is The Spot for Ottawa Brides in a Time Crunch
We’re not your average bridal shop, and that’s by design. At Always Knew, we’ve curated a space where brides can breathe. Where timelines are respected. Where no one’s trying to upsell you. And where even last-minute brides can find a dress that makes them say, “This is it.”
We offer:
- Appointments tailored to tight timelines
- Low-cost rush options
- Canadian-made gowns
- In-house alterations
- And above all, no judgment for coming in late in the game
Because honestly? We love being the calm in the last-minute storm.
FAQs for Last-Minute Ottawa Brides
Can I really get a wedding dress in 2–8 weeks?
Yep! With designers like Kathryn Bass and Ouma, you absolutely can, especially when you shop locally with us.
What’s the typical rush fee?
Rush fees range from $100–$600, depending on the designer and how fast you need the dress. Alterations may have a separate rush fee.
Can I do alterations with you if I bought my dress elsewhere?
At this time, we prioritize in-house alteration services for our brides, but feel free to contact us to ask—we want to help when we can.
Do you serve areas outside Ottawa?
Absolutely! Brides come to us from Kanata, Gatineau, Nepean, Orleans, Gatineau and all over Ontario and Quebec.
Ready to Say Yes to the Dress—Even Last-Minute?
If you’re in Ottawa or the surrounding area and scrambling to find the perfect wedding dress, we’re here to help. You don’t have to compromise on style, budget, or experience, you just have to know where to look.
At Always Knew, we specialize in making the impossible possible. Come visit us, book a fitting, and let’s make wedding magic—no matter how fast the clock is ticking.
👉 Book Your Appointment Today
📍 Located in Ottawa – serving brides from all across Ontario and Quebec