About

Overview & Vibe

Shazzam Bridal & Formal has been on The Boulevarde in Toronto for over forty years, and it is open seven days — unusual for a bridal boutique, and useful if you work weekdays. It makes two promises on its own site and both are worth quoting: “prices are clearly marked and are not inflated”, and its staff “are not motivated by commissions”.

Dress Styles & Designers

Six bridal labels, each with its own published price band: Jean Fox and Purple Fox Bride ($1,500–$3,500), Jack Sullivan Bridal ($1,500–$4,500), Gilded Rose Bride (from under $1,500), Tania Olsen Designs (from under $1,500) and DAMA Couture ($3,500–$4,500). Bridesmaids are Nicoletta and Eliza & Ethen.

Ideal For

A bride who wants to know the price before she falls in love, and one shopping a fuller size: 6 to 28 to try in store, orderable 0 to 32. Also for anyone on a budget — there is a Last Of Collection rail from $500, and formal, bridesmaid and mother-of-the-bride dresses run $330–$699 with a sale rack from $99.

The Need-to-Knows

No appointment fee, no limit on how many gowns you try, and unlimited return visits. An appointment is recommended but walk-ins are taken when there is room. Most brides bring two or three guests, and family who cannot be there can join by FaceTime. Allow four to six months for an ordered gown. Open Monday to Wednesday 9.30–5, Thursday to 7, Friday 9.30–5, Saturday 9–4.30 and Sunday 10–2.

Standout Feature

The published price band on every label. Most bridal stores make you ask; Shazzam prints the range on each designer's page, so you can rule a label in or out before you book. Its bridal range runs $695 to $5,995, and it says the average bride spends $1,500 to $2,500.

Appointment Policy

There is no appointment fee, and no limit on how many gowns you try.
Return appointments are unlimited and also free.
An appointment is recommended, but walk-ins are taken when there is room.
Most brides bring two or three guests.
Family who cannot be there in person can join your appointment by FaceTime.
Open seven days — Monday to Wednesday 9.30am to 5pm, Thursday to 7pm, Friday 9.30am to 5pm, Saturday 9am to 4.30pm and Sunday 10am to 2pm.

Dress Designers

Jean Fox. Description: Bridal gowns, $1,500 to $3,500.
Jack Sullivan Bridal. Description: Bridal gowns, $1,500 to $4,500.
Purple Fox Bride. Description: Bridal gowns, $1,500 to $3,500.
Gilded Rose Bride. Description: Bridal gowns, under $1,500 to $3,500.
DAMA Couture. Description: Bridal gowns, $3,500 to $4,500 — the store's top band.
Tania Olsen Designs. Description: Bridal gowns, under $1,500 to $2,500.
Nicoletta. Description: Bridesmaid gowns.
Eliza & Ethen. Description: Bridesmaid gowns.

Dress Experience

Shazzam has traded on The Boulevarde in Toronto for over forty years and opens seven days a week, including Thursday evenings until 7pm and Sunday mornings.
It publishes a price band on every designer's page, which is unusual — most bridal stores quote only in person.
Its own stated promises are that prices are clearly marked and not inflated, and that staff are not motivated by commissions.
There is no appointment fee, no cap on how many gowns you try, and return visits are unlimited.
Relatives who cannot attend can join the appointment by FaceTime.

Dress Styles

a-line
ball gown
fit and flare
sheath
mermaid
lace
satin
tulle
sequinned
beaded
off shoulder
strapless
spaghetti strap
v-neck
sweetheart neckline
high neck
long sleeve
detachable sleeves
backless
classic
romantic

Dresses

Gravity. Description: A Jean Fox gown, in the $1,500 to $3,500 band. In store to try at Toronto.
Just The Way You Are. Description: A Jean Fox gown, in the $1,500 to $3,500 band. In store to try at Toronto.
Vienna Waits. Description: A Jean Fox gown, in the $1,500 to $3,500 band. In store to try at Toronto.
State Of Grace. Description: A Jean Fox gown, in the $1,500 to $3,500 band. In store to try at Toronto.
She's Got A Way. Description: A Jean Fox gown, in the $1,500 to $3,500 band. In store to try at Toronto.
And So It Goes. Description: A Jean Fox gown, in the $1,500 to $3,500 band. In store to try at Toronto.
Always. Description: A Jean Fox gown, in the $1,500 to $3,500 band. In store to try at Toronto.
Christie Lee. Description: A Jean Fox gown, in the $1,500 to $3,500 band. In store to try at Toronto.
Every Memory. Description: A Jean Fox gown, in the $1,500 to $3,500 band. In store to try at Toronto.
Hot Summer Nights. Description: A Jean Fox gown, in the $1,500 to $3,500 band. In store to try at Toronto.
Waiting So Long. Description: A Jean Fox gown, in the $1,500 to $3,500 band. In store to try at Toronto.
All That I Can Do. Description: A Jean Fox gown, in the $1,500 to $3,500 band. In store to try at Toronto.
I Remember. Description: A Jean Fox gown, in the $1,500 to $3,500 band. In store to try at Toronto.
Thea. Description: A Jack Sullivan Bridal gown, in the $1,500 to $4,500 band. In store to try at Toronto.
Remi. Description: A Jack Sullivan Bridal gown, in the $1,500 to $4,500 band. In store to try at Toronto.
Sandy. Description: A Jack Sullivan Bridal gown, in the $1,500 to $4,500 band. In store to try at Toronto.
Margot. Description: A Jack Sullivan Bridal gown, in the $1,500 to $4,500 band. In store to try at Toronto.
Connie. Description: A Jack Sullivan Bridal gown, in the $1,500 to $4,500 band. In store to try at Toronto.
Mia. Description: A Jack Sullivan Bridal gown, in the $1,500 to $4,500 band. In store to try at Toronto.
Nessa. Description: A Jack Sullivan Bridal gown, in the $1,500 to $4,500 band. In store to try at Toronto.
Charlie. Description: A Jack Sullivan Bridal gown, in the $1,500 to $4,500 band. In store to try at Toronto.
Finest Hour. Description: A Gilded Rose Bride gown, in the under $1,500 to $3,500 band. In store to try at Toronto.
New Moon. Description: A Gilded Rose Bride gown, in the under $1,500 to $3,500 band. In store to try at Toronto.
Summertime. Description: A Gilded Rose Bride gown, in the under $1,500 to $3,500 band. In store to try at Toronto.
Electric Dreams. Description: A Gilded Rose Bride gown, in the under $1,500 to $3,500 band. In store to try at Toronto.
Trixie. Description: A Gilded Rose Bride gown, in the under $1,500 to $3,500 band. In store to try at Toronto.
Thistle. Description: A Tania Olsen Designs gown, in the under $1,500 to $2,500 band. In store to try at Toronto.
Lulu. Description: A Tania Olsen Designs gown, in the under $1,500 to $2,500 band. In store to try at Toronto.
Luci. Description: A Tania Olsen Designs gown, in the under $1,500 to $2,500 band. In store to try at Toronto.
Louanne. Description: A Tania Olsen Designs gown, in the under $1,500 to $2,500 band. In store to try at Toronto.
Jolie. Description: A Tania Olsen Designs gown, in the under $1,500 to $2,500 band. In store to try at Toronto.
Etienne. Description: A Tania Olsen Designs gown, in the under $1,500 to $2,500 band. In store to try at Toronto.
Brielle. Description: A Tania Olsen Designs gown, in the under $1,500 to $2,500 band. In store to try at Toronto.
Bea. Description: A Tania Olsen Designs gown, in the under $1,500 to $2,500 band. In store to try at Toronto.
Aubrey. Description: A Tania Olsen Designs gown, in the under $1,500 to $2,500 band. In store to try at Toronto.
Bartela. Description: A Tania Olsen Designs gown, in the under $1,500 to $2,500 band. In store to try at Toronto.

Nearby Landmarks

The Boulevarde, Toronto – the shop is at number 48, on the main street of the town.
Lake Macquarie – Toronto sits on the western shore, about 30 minutes from Newcastle.

Price Notes

Bridal gowns run $695 to $5,995, and the store says the average bride spends $1,500 to $2,500.
Every designer's page carries that label's price band, so you can rule one in or out before booking.
A Last Of Collection rail carries sample and end-of-range gowns from $500.
Formal, bridesmaid and mother-of-the-bride dresses run $330 to $699, with a sale rack from $99.
An ordered gown takes four to six months to arrive.
The store's own promise is that prices are clearly marked and not inflated, and that its staff are not paid commission.

Price Range

$695–$5,995

Purchase Options

Off The Rack
Made To Order

Services Offered

Bridal Gowns — six labels, each with a published price band.
Last Of Collection Rail — sample and end-of-range gowns from $500.
Bridesmaid Dresses — Nicoletta and Eliza & Ethen, $330 to $699.
Mother Of The Bride And Formal Wear — $330 to $699, with a sale rack from $99.
Unlimited Return Appointments — at no charge.
FaceTime For Absent Family — so relatives who cannot attend can still see the gown.