Our Newest Designer, A Spotlight on Trotter Bridal
Welcome to Always Knew I Needed, a luxury Ottawa bridal shop that hosts exclusively Canadian wedding dress designers who manufacture in Canada.
At Always Knew, we are constantly on the hunt for new Canadian wedding designers who not only design their unique wedding dresses in Canada, but solely manufacture in Canada as well.


"Trotter Bridal is a Canadian bridalwear atelier specializing in high-end wedding gowns that merge classic elegance with a touch of dark vintage romance. Each gown is designed and made in Canada, featuring hand-drawn imagery custom integrated into the fabric, with both bespoke and in-house imagery options available. Offered in sable black or ivory white, every heirloom-quality gown is crafted to feel deeply personal, enduring, and uniquely your own."
Why Trotter Bridal

Trotter Bridal wedding gowns feel romantic and classic, yet carry an artistic edge that makes them unforgettable. Their focus on storytelling, customization, artisttry, and Canadian manufacturing perfectly aligned with what our Ottawa luxury bridal shop set out to do.
Her debut collection, Velour 2026, draws inspiration from vintage fashion, historic textiles, and heirloom craftsmanship while still feeling entirely modern.
So If you've ever found yourself scrolling through wedding dresses and thinking:
"They're beautiful, but none of them feel like me."
Trotter Bridal might be exactly what you've been looking for.

Example of bespoke imagery on your bridal gown
Bespoke Imagery, Your story
We have NEVER seen this anywhere else.
What sets Trotter Bridal apart is the ability to literally weave a love story directly into the gown.
Through custom-designed imagery and signature textile techniques, the wedding gowns feature artwork integrated directly into the fabric itself. Tell us your love story, share your wedding monogram, reference your family's crest and we'll help you create bespoke imagery literally woven into your wedding gown.

Eloise Trotter Bridal gown in Ivory and Black
Black Wedding Dresses in Ottawa
If you're searching for a black wedding dress in Ottawa, look no futher! For years, if you wanted a black wedding dress, you were often left with the only option being a prom dress (yes, literally).
Designed and made in Ontario, Trotter Bridal is creating black wedding dresses that aren't simply white dresses in a different colour. They are intentionally designed gothic wedding inspired wedding dresses that make you feel something different. They are giving moody and editorial, a match made in heaven for the alternative Bride.
At Always Knew I Needed, we're proud to offer Ottawa brides access to Canadian-made designers who challenge the industry's expectations while maintaining exceptional craftsmanship. Trotter Bridal's black wedding gowns are the perfect example of how non-traditional bridal fashion can still feel romantic, luxurious, and undeniably bridal.

The Daphne Wedding Dress, Black wedding dress by Trotter Bridal
Try on Trotter Gowns
Book your private bridal appointment at Always Knew I Needed and explore one of Canada's most exciting emerging bridal designers. Whether you're dreaming of a completely customized gown or simply want something that feels uniquely yours, our team would love to introduce you to the artistry behind Trotter Bridal.