I had the most amazing experience with Ladybelle Bridal!!!…read moreAfter searching all of Vancouver & area for the perfect dress for the perfect price I was getting a bit discouraged and was contemplating going to Toronto to find my dress. But one weekend after visiting my in-laws in Nanoose Bay , we decided to try out some stores in Nanaimo. Our first store was Ladybelle and I was instantly blown away by their eagerness to help and how comfortable they made me feel. The process for picking your dresses to try on is by far the best. Instead of sifting through hundreds of white dresses you get to look through binders of models wearing the dresses , which for me made the process less overwhelming. After marking the dresses you would like to try on ( which is as many as you would like) they set them up for you in a large dressing room. I ended up choosing the second dress I tried on, it was amazing and was exactly what I was looking for and ended up being way under budget! The ordering process was super easy and the dress came in way before expected. I ended up taking the dress with me to Saskatchewan to get it altered ( even though Ladybelle offers recommended seamstresses) even though the wedding was in Nanoose Bay. But After not getting my alterations done correctly in Regina I ended up taking my dress to Ladybelle 3 days before the Wedding asking for help. They did me HUGE favour and made an emergency call to a seamstress who came in that day and took my measurements and took my dress with her. She had it done the next day and even delivered it to me! I am forever grateful to ladybelle bridal for Helping me and making me so happy through this whole experience !

I had an incredible experience at Ladybelle, the consultants were so helpful and friendly, their…read moredress selection was amazing and I walked out with the perfect dress! If I could give more than 5 stars I would, I couldn't have asked for a better dress shopping experience!

I hired Bliss Bridal to decorate my wedding and what a great decision that was!…read moreI actually got married in Vancouver, but couldn't find a decorator who was able to "see" my vision. It was all vintage and eclectic inspired, with class. The Bliss Bridal team delivered in spades! They transformed the Scottish Cultural Center in Vancouver from a hall to a beautiful wedding. They listened to all my intricate details for what I wanted and they delivered! I had spent the better part of a year purchasing vintage items, as well as dried lavender for all the tables and mix-matched lace table cloths. They set up everything and came back and took it all down. Everything was packed up and ready to go. HIGHLY RECOMMEND

No customer service. You have to make an appointment with a sales associate you are assigned to…read morewho doesn't help you find dresses. I would insist everyone take your own measurements before going in and don't sign the contract they ask you to sign releasing them of all liabilities.

Very cute shop with tons of dresses, but the woman who was "helping" me (the owner) was not helpful…read moreat all! She disappeared at least 3 times during my appointment. I was left standing around waiting for her to reappear, having no one zip, clip and/or tie up the dress. She wanted to argue with me about the style I liked, but only to correct the words I used to describe it. What's the point of that? She didn't smile once, seemed irritated with my presence, told me I should figure out what I actually like/want before I try on any more dresses. Isn't that how you find out what you like/want in a wedding dress? By trying some on? I'm a size 8, but she'd pulled a size 16 in one style. I know they are sized different from regular clothes, so I put it on anyway and it was ridiculously huge and sloppy. For a woman who is supposed to know her stuff, this was nuts! She only pulled about 4 dresses for my entire appointment. I was out of there within 30 mins. Ugh. Never again. I was in great spirits walking in and felt like crap when I left - not a single positive word out of her mouth. There was actually one dress I really liked, but if I decide I want to try that dress on again, I'll find it elsewhere because there's NO way I'm giving this shop my business.

Wowie if you ever want to feel judged for even carrying a slight amount of weight (such as baby…read moreweight) come on down to the bridal closet. As well as someone who completely disregards the brides requests. My friend said she didn't want one thing and that was a strapless dress because she's self conscious about her chest. The first two dresses the lady brings...strapless.

Very nice and helpful lady, but doesn't do men's alterations. She did suggest alternatives which…read more i appreciated.

"Material Things" in Nanaimo is the worst seamstress. Not only did she do a hack job on my…read moredaughter's prom dress, she laughed and me and said it wasn't her fault and that I wasn't getting my money back. I don't care about the money. It would have been nice if she were reputable enough to admit when she made a mistake and offer to fix it somehow or at least apologize.

I went into this store apprehensive of pressure to purchase. Greg was very helpful in ensuring I…read morewas looked after, He was excellent to deal with. Very friendly and nice. Very experienced and knowledgeable. I will be back to buy from Greg again. Thank you for a great purchase experience Greg. Highly recommended.

I give this business a 2 star because it's a total toss-up for me!…read moreI wanted to leave a review in hopes that management sees it, because they have one salesman there who is AWFUL and one who is AMAZING! I went in with my boyfriend last Wednesday as he was looking for some help buying a new suit for a special event. When we first walked in we were greeted by an older, shorter guy (I think his name was Craig or Greg or something... I heard someone call him that). He came over to my boyfriend and started chatting with him, but quickly we both realized he was being very condescending, probably because we are both younger. He picked a couple of suits off the rack that were completely the opposite style of what my boyfriend wanted. When he told him this, he got really gruff and walked off, like he had offended him or something because he didn't like the style of suits he had picked out. After about another 10 mins of wandering around the store, this other younger guy came up to us. His name was Chris (I made sure to get it because he was awesome!). He actually listened to my boyfriend, helped him try on a bunch of styles, and was really funny and friendly. In the end he ended up selling us one of the most expensive suits in the store, but it looked great and my boyfriend didn't mind paying for quality. Back to the older guy for a second though, as when we went to pay, I heard him say to Chris that we must be drug dealers because my boyfriend was paying in cash! He even told him to "check the bills, make sure they are legit"!!! Like seriously? I think he was mad because Chris had scooped the sale, but honestly, he was so rude in the first place that we never would have bought anything from him anyway. I also heard him being rude to the other salesmen on the floor too, acting as though he was entitled to every sale walking in the door though he did nothing to deserve it. So hopefully someone reads this! Kudos for Chris for treating us great and making my boyfriend look like a million bucks, and Boos to Craig/Greg for being rude and patronizing. The business almost lost out on an almost $600 sale due to him.

I have been shopping at this store for two years, spending a considerate amount of money and have…read morealways been happy until now. I bought my daughter bodysuits ( and $300 worth of other items) for Christmas and one ended up being defective and when I went to exchange it for the same suit I was told I had to pay another $30 as I bought it on a buy one full price get one half off sale....I wanted to exchange it because it was defective!!! I will never spend another cent at this store ever! I will drive to Courtenay and buy all my children's dance items from now on! I am beyond livid! Horrible customer service! But I guess when you are the only game in town you call the shots

From the owner: Performing Fabrics and Dancewear was established in 1995 to fulfill the need for a dedicated dance…read moreshop for Nanaimo and the surrounding area. Our aim is to provide knowledgeable and friendly service to all our customers. Our staff is well trained in fitting all types of dancewear, from basic ballet slippers to Pointe shoes, and everything else a ballerina needs. Our staff includes an experienced seamstresses that can create the perfect dance costume, your dream wedding dress or the bridesmaid dress that you will wear again. We do custom orders and our selection of fabrics is extensive. Our creative staff will help you create a garment that is beautiful, well made and appropriate for your occasion. We aim to maintain stock of regular class items at all times. Fashion garments such as bodysuits change on a seasonal basis, as do cover ups, warm ups, yoga wear and ballroom outfits. Performing Fabrics and Dancewear always have great new looks for whatever type of dance you are doing.

Sept 28,2014 we hired Heaven Scent Catering for our family gathering…read more We were only 33 but Rick and Sandy were so accommodating and flexible. The food was terrific and presented so nicely everyone was happy. Truly value for the money spent and we highly recommend them. Marnie and Ted Melnyk

From the owner: Catering to all events. Weddings, birthdays,holidays, memorials,anniversaries,…read morecelebrations,luncheons,high tea,and for any occasion under the sun.

Lola's was amazing, one of the best meals we have had in some time. The seafood was fresh and…read morelocal and Phillipines inspired flavours were all new to us and fantastic. Vibe is formal but relaxed, views are great. Couldn't recommend Lolas more!

(get ready, this is a long one)…read more After a few very different stays at Bodega, I can honestly say that it's one of my absolute favourite places in the world. In.the.world. The staff not only take an unfathomable amount of pride in their work, but are friendly, professional, and entirely accommodating of just about any reasonable request. One of their star employees, Dave, has always made me feel as though I am not just a guest, but am visiting my second home. And I imagine that I'm not alone when I say that after the first visit and meeting with the owners, Jesse and Chris, that I felt as though I'd gained two new best friends. Talented, whip smart, and cool, they are the perfect proprietors of such a place. Island life can be tricky, teetering between too hippie and too stuffy, but they've found a real balance by being themselves, and the property at Bodega reflects this. With three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a fireplace, and a fully equipped kitchen in each of the seven cabins, this is not what I'd consider roughing it by any stretch of the imagination. A classic log cabin inside and out, the modern touches are what make it cool. Plush leather couches, filament bulb lamps, Pendleton blankets, reclaimed Douglas Fir tables--the could-be twee aspect of cabin life is exonerated by sensible design. There's even a flat screen TV in each cabin with a small library of movies in the main lodge to choose from, but I wouldn't bother--there's so much to see and do at or nearby Bodega Ridge. Spectacular meadows, forests, and wildflowers surrounding the property, Bodega is positioned so that it's almost always bright and sunny. The staggeringly beautiful trails along the ridge offer one of the best views of the gulf islands, and the ocean is close enough to walk to in a matter of minutes. Also, bonus: the weirdly infamous Stoneworld (as seen here: http://www.hellobc.com/british-columbia/blog/january-2011/stoneworld-on-galiano-island.aspx) is a worthy stop on the way to a serious magical forest hike. Free wifi throughout the property, an amazing main lodge that can accommodate up to 70 dinner guests, and wonderfully knowledgeable proprietors who will have a recommendation for just about anything--all a quick boat ride from Vancouver. I don't know that I have the words to describe just how amazing Bodega Ridge is. Bringing the city to the island, staying rustic and real, this place has it all. **of note: Bodega is located about a 40 minute drive, or a few leisurely hours by bike from the ferry. Arrive prepared.