At the Ottawa Wedding Edit, I’m constantly on the lookout for the artisans and industry talent who make our city’s wedding scene truly shine. Today, I’m thrilled to launch the first part of a multi-part series, where we get a rare glimpse into the world of Nora Zarucci of Zarucci Bridal, the Capital Region’s premier wedding gown designer.
Nora Zarucci is a name synonymous with elegance and unparalleled craftsmanship. Her work has graced everything from the Oscars to the courts of the Royal Wedding. She is a testament to vision and meticulous attention to detail, making her a true luminary in the world of bridal fashion.
I had the distinct pleasure of sitting down with Nora to discuss her journey, her design philosophy, and what’s next for her brand. Our conversation was a fascinating look behind the curtain, revealing the passion and precision that go into every single Zarucci gown.
The Personal Touch: In-Person vs. Virtual Consultations
One of the first things we touched on was the concept of the bridal consultation, especially in our increasingly virtual world. While Nora, like many of us, adapted to Zoom during the pandemic, she admits that a remote meeting for a wedding dress is far from ideal.
“They’re not ideal,” she told me with a genuine sense of purpose. “It’s hard to not see the girl and her body type and to give proper advice.”
Nora Zarucci’s perspective on body types is a refreshing and important one. In an industry often focused on fitting a bride into pre-defined categories (like “A-line for pear shape” or “mermaid for hourglass”), she shifts the conversation to a more personalized and holistic approach.
Instead of seeing a body type as a set of limitations, Nora views it as a canvas. The goal isn’t to “correct” or “camouflage” a body, but to enhance and celebrate it. Her philosophy, as she explained, is about a dress being a “unique blend of a bride’s personal vision and the specific fabrics and silhouettes they are drawn to.”
This means a bride’s choice isn’t just about what “works” on her body, but what resonates with her. A bride might love a particular lace, or be captivated by the way a certain satin catches the light. She might have always envisioned a dramatic ball gown, even if a classic style guide for dress shapes and body types would suggest a different silhouette. Nora’s approach honors that vision, using her expertise to make it a reality. “Dress shopping is a crucial part of the design process” According to Nora, it gives each bride the opportunity to try on gowns they never would have considered and fabrics they otherwise would not have deemed a fit. It also may put them in check that the dress or pattern they had envisioned is no longer the perfect look they had dreamed of. With this new ammunition and treasure of knowledge, a designer can start the design process.
For a bride, this means a more empowering and positive shopping experience. It’s not about being told what she “should” wear, but about having a designer who listens to her dreams and then uses her deep knowledge of fabric, structure, and design to create a gown that makes her feel not just beautiful, but truly herself. This is what sets a true couture designer apart—the ability to see beyond the rules and create something that is a perfect expression of the individual.
She explained that while she does offer virtual consultations, they are rarely requested by brides themselves. Most brides want to be there. They want to see the dresses, they want to feel the fabric, and they want to have that tangible experience of trying on a gown. For Nora, the in-person meeting is about connecting with the bride, understanding her vision, and providing expert, personalized guidance.
Interestingly, she’s found that virtual meetings are more often used for including long-distance family members or bridesmaids who want to be part of the fitting process. This hybrid approach allows them to share the experience, even from afar, a small but impactful way to merge tradition with modern technology.
The Evolution of a Brand: Custom Couture and Collections
The future of the Zarucci brand reveals a significant change in her business model. While she’s known for her exquisite custom-made gowns, Nora expressed a shift in her focus toward developing collections.
“The prices are getting way up there,” she explained, referring to the cost of creating a bespoke gown from scratch. Nora believes in using only the highest quality, high-end fabrics, and ensuring her team is paid fair wages, which pushes the price of a truly custom gown to over $8,000. She acknowledges that this is a significant budget for any bride, especially when considering the entire cost of a wedding.
The new focus will be on designing and creating collections that are then sold in bridal stores. The first of these partnerships is with a local Ottawa store, and Nora’s excitement was palpable. The collections offer a beautiful middle ground: brides can still wear a stunning Zarucci gown, but the price is more accessible.
Nora clarified that these collection gowns will have some room for minor customization—like adjusting a train length or a strap style—but they won’t be a blank-slate design from scratch. This approach allows her to pour her creative energy into a cohesive collection while still providing a high-quality product that brides can feel confident in.
Stay tuned for the next installment in our series, where we take a closer look at Nora’s design process, the inspirations behind her signature style, and the artistry involved in bringing her stunning gowns to life. ♥️
xoxo
-Nandini for TastersHUB Catering and Events
“She knew she loved him when ‘home’ went from being a place to being a person.”
—E. Leventhal
