Best of Utah Wedding Vendors: Sweetheart Bridal
[intro]Utah has so many amazing wedding vendors! Each Wednesday we feature one. This week we interviewed Shelley, of Sweetheart Bridal. We’re so excited for you read all about their services and the tips they has to offer:[/intro]Tell us a little about your business.
Our business has been operating for 23 years! We purchased the business from the original owner in 2011 when she retired. We specialize in modest dresses and work with several exclusive designers, including two Couture lines which make their dresses modest just for our store.
How far in advance should a bride start shopping for a gown and when should she order it by?
Our gowns take anywhere from 8-12 weeks to order. Brides should start shopping as soon as possible to avoid paying extra fees for rush orders or rush alterations. We do sell gowns off the rack, but if you’re looking for the most options you should give yourself at least 3-4 months.
What is the starting price of your gowns? Are there any trunk shows coming up?
Our prices range from $300-$2000, but most of them are under $1000. The more expensive gowns are from the couture lines or have elaborate lace or beading. Sometimes our designers do trunk shows in January or February when they showcase their new spring collections. We get new dresses in all the time though.
What’s the most important thing to remember when selecting a gown?
Remember that this is your gown. While it’s nice to get opinions from friends and family, often they can be too opinionated and overwhelming. You should pick the gown that makes you feel the most beautiful because when you feel beautiful you’ll look beautiful and you’ll have your pictures forever! Another piece of advice is be a little flexible with your budget. Sometimes brides really stress over an extra $100-200 dollars for their gown. If it means having the gown of your dreams just do it! You won’t miss that little bit of money a week after your wedding but you’ll regret not getting your favorite gown forever.
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What are the latest trends you’ve seen for gowns and bridesmaids dresses?
The huge trend shift that we’ve seen over the last couple of years is switching from white to ivory. When we first purchased the business we only had a handful of ivory gowns because everyone wanted white. Now at least half of our dresses are ivory. Ivory is more flattering to most skin tones and it photographs better because it’s not so bright. Lace, chiffon and mermaid gowns are still very trendy styles.
Bridesmaids seem to be getting more casual. Girls want a dress that they can wear to church after the wedding. We’re seeing a lot of skirts and tops too.
Do you have on-premise alterations with a seamstresses, or do you have recommendations on where to go?
We don’t have the space to provide on-site alterations, however we do have several seamstresses that we recommend to our brides. These ladies have been working with our store for over 10 years and they are very talented at what they do. Because they work out of their home their prices are very affordable.
What’s the best way to take care of a gown after the wedding?
Whatever you do, don’t store your dress in a plastic bag. The plastic will discolor the dress. You should also keep your gown in a tempered room-not in an attic or basement where the temperature can fluctuate too much. The best thing to do is get your gown preserved. The company we work with guarantees the dress for 100 years! The preservation includes the cleaning of the gown and you can include three accessories, like a veil or garter, with it.
Who’s your favorite designer lately and why?
We have excellent designers that we work with. We love them all, but my favorite one right now is Peony. All of their designs are just gorgeous, their quality is outstanding and they have a really quick order time.
Any other tips you’d like to share with our brides?
My mind is spinning with this question. There are so many things I wish I could tell brides when they come into our store! Weddings are such an important event and they can be very stressful. Don’t forget to have fun! Enjoy your planning process and let yourself be pampered a little. This is your time to be in the spotlight. While it’s ok to be picky, don’t forget to be realistic. Sometimes we get brides in who have a picture from the internet of a dress that they have to have. Most of the time these gowns were custom made and it’s impossible to find the same thing. Be open to your options and love what you pick!
1774 N University Parkway
#22
Provo, Utah 84604
P: (801) 356-2462
E: sweetheartgowns@gmail.com
photos: Moxie Photography
