Area boutiques help brides find the right dresses
By Diane Andreassi
Many women have dreamt about their wedding gowns since they were little girls, so buying the dress of their dreams means finding the right boutique.
This year many wedding gowns have a bling element, according to Vinnie McClure, owner Ashley and Alexandria’s Bridal Boutique in Southfield.
“Even for girls who really like it simple, there’s bling, maybe around the neckline, or sometimes a little sparkle inside the lace,” she said.
A lot of brides are opting for ball gowns. “They’re saying things like, ‘Where else can I wear a ball gown beside my wedding?,’” McClure said.
Sophistication Rules
Bridesmaid dresses tend to be elegant.
“I’ve seen a lot of girls who want to keep it simple and classic, like black,” McClure said. “It’s very elegant and very simple. For a lot of minimalist girls it works, it’s very chic.”
Nadica Ristivojevich, owner of Maria’s Bridal Collection in Orchard Mall in West Bloomfield and Julia Kontogruni in downtown Birmingham said, “There’s no problem that can’t be solved. We customize to the bride’s dream dress.”
Customer service is the cornerstone of her businesses, Ristivojevich said.
“You need to be genuine,” she added. “It can’t be about the bottom dollar. It’s got to come from the heart. It’s nothing that you can learn. You either have it or you don’t.”
Her Julia Kontogruni site offers designs solely from the European designer of the same name. In fact, Ristivojevich’s shop is the only location that sells these dresses in the United States.
Something for everyone
Unique Lady Bridal and Prom in Southfield has something for all tastes and sizes. If you need plus sizes, they’ve got them in many styles.
Elizabeth Bridal Manor in Northville has a rich collection within a wide price range from gown manufacturers, Casablanca Bridals, Christiano Lucci, Eddy K, Ian Stuart Collection, Lazaro, Maggie Sottero, Marisa, Mikaella, Paloma Blanca, Stella York, Vwidon and Yumi Katsura.
Elizabeth’s gives you the pampering you expect with friendly gown experts in the historic setting of a beautifully restored 100-year-old house.
One client at Bellissima Bridal Salon couldn’t say enough about how happy she was in an online testimonial of the downtown Rochester shop.
“Such an amazing bridal salon!,” the Lansing bride wrote. She said she “fell in love with three” gowns.
Nancy Gies, owner of Bellissima, says the shop asks brides to make appointments to make sure there’s a consultant and room available.
“We’re a smaller salon, but our big thing is affordability,” Gies said. “Our gowns start at $700 and top out at $2,500. We strive toward customer service, giving a high-end experience at an affordable price. We’ve been here for eight years in Rochester.”
Across town, Barb’s Bridal in Utica has bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses, flower girl dresses and mothers of the wedding dresses.
“We have expert alterations, and we also do custom veils and headpieces,” said Barb Gentry, owner of Barb’s.
