Photo courtesy of Menuel Mendoz:

BESIGNER Manuel Mendoza offers packages which
can include more than a wedding gown, such as
bridesmaids’ dresses and a going-away outtit.

CUSIOM GOV

Deana Lancaster

News Reporter
deana@usnews.com

MANUEL Mendoza
considers himself as
sort of a “fifth brides-
maid.”

“If there are four brides-
maids there, then Tam the
fifth one,” he says.

It’s one of the advantages
of having your wedding gown
custom-made for you by one
of Vancouver’s most popular
designers.

“We go to dress the bride.
It gives her a lot of confidence
that nothing will go wrong.”

On the day of the wed-

ding, Mendoza and his staff

take extra thread, needles,
buttons, even anti-static spray
to the location where the
wedding party is getting
ready.

The personal touch fits in
with the North Van resident’s
belief that a bride “shouldn’t
be stuck with the idea that
‘this will do, ” if the dress
doesn’t fit properly.

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ws with a

“I'm nor knocking ready-
to-wear, [ve always said if you
tind something that looks
geod and fits well, you should
buy it.”

But he does think the six-
month wait it takes for deliv-
ery to some stores is too long.

“Too many things can
happen. The bride can lose or
gain weight. There could be a
change of venue, she may
need even a completely differ-
ent dress.”

Mendoza says raost brides
do go with a store-bought
dress.

“But if you cannot find it
from looking, then I am the
alternative.”

For about the same price
as a well-made ready-to-wear
gown, Mendoza has consulta-
tions with the bride — “The
customer comes in and we
pick her brain,” and together
they design the dress she
wants.

Mendoza says onc of the
biggest trends continues to be
the empire waistline. This year

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