Whether you have browsed bridal stores with a friend or watched reality television shows about shopping for a wedding dress, you know this isn’t your average shopping trip. It’s an event. From consultants, stylists, fitters, and other salon staff members assisting brides in the store and dressing room to the bride-to-be’s entourage sipping champagne and chiming in, shopping for a wedding gown requires hands-on assistance.
COVID-19 has tapped the brakes on everything involving hands-on help—from office and school closures to limiting retail options. Fortunately, with the new loosening of COVID-19 restrictions in Texas, retailers (including bridal and tuxedo shops) are now open at limited capacity. The show—your wedding—must safely go on. Typically, the first step in preparing for that show is setting the tone and aesthetic with the wedding gown selection.
Dallas area bridal shops know this and are ready to help brides stay on schedule and not sacrifice a moment nor a bead when it comes to getting the wedding dress of their dreams. It’s all done with a creative combination of limited in-store safe shopping and fittings, online browsing, FaceTime and Zoom consultations, YouTube tutorials, and even some curbside chats and pass-offs.
Bella Bridesmaids
Several of Bella Bridesmaids’ top designers, such as Amsale and Jenny Yoo, developed virtual styling tools that have been a welcome game-changer for brides who are planning their weddings during the pandemic. The store has re-opened at a limited capacity for browsing and in-person appointments and is still conducting virtual appointments via FaceTime, Zoom, etc. for brides and bridesmaids who prefer to shop from home—at least for now. “We also have a YouTube video that shows how to measure, and we can do video chats to help with measuring as well,” says Blair Barker Moore, owner. To learn more about Bella Bootcamp: Virtual Styling Made Easy, call Bella Bridesmaids at 214-999-9311 or visit bellabridesmaids.com, where you can browse gowns and learn more about virtual and in-store consultation appointments.
Bridal Boutique of Lewisville
Since May 1, Bridal Boutique of Lewisville has been in operation, adhering to limited capacity guidelines and taking extra safety precautions. To see updated information and trunk show date changes, visit bridalboutiquelewisville.com/events or call the store at 972-219-8500 for more information about hours of operation and appointment availability.
Mister Tuxedo
Throughout the shelter-in-place order, Mister Tuxedo remained “open” during its regular store hours to answer questions by phone and email and to schedule virtual appointments. The Mister Tuxedo web site includes updated and expanded information and photos of popular tuxedo styles, along with a blog to answer commonly asked questions about formalwear. The online shop offers popular accessories as well. Currently, Mister Tuxedo is accepting limited in-person shopping opportunities from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. To learn more, visit call 214-363-1871 or visit mistertuxedodallas.com.
Patsy’s, A Bridal Boutique is now open with limited by-appointment-only availability for in-store shopping and consultations. Virtual appointments are also available. Contact the store for more information or to schedule an appointment by calling 214-528-1227, or request an appointment online at any time by visiting patsysbridal.com/appointments.
Patti Flowers Design Studio
Brides are as different as the wedding gowns they choose, and Patti Flowers understands this. To meet the varied shopping preferences of brides during COVID-19, she and her team are continuing with virtual consultations and appointments and are available to drop off material swatches and other items to brides’ homes and offices, if needed. Patti Flowers Design Studio is now open at limited capacity and taking appointments for in-person consultation. During in-store appointments and fittings, clients will be provided with a free mask to adhere to COVID-19 safety protocols. To learn more call 214-369-7027 or visit pattiflowers.com.
Stanley Korshak Bridal Salon
Even during the height of the shelter-in-place orders, Stanley Korshak Bridal Salon continued working with brides on digital measurements and designing custom wedding gowns. Makenzie Brittingham, owner of Stanley Korshak Bridal, was smart and stockpiled fabric and supplies, sensing a potential shortage. She continues to work closely with the store’s local seamstress team to keep orders on track. “We can do over-the-phone and FaceTime consultations,” Brittingham says. “All our designers are providing us with quality digital images of the gowns for our online campaign as well.” Stanley Korshak jumped in and made masks for the charity, Hopeful Heart, and donated masks to the Dallas Police Department and Cook Children’s Healthcare System. The intent, Brittingham says, is two-fold—keeping Dallas safe and creating local American jobs during this challenging time. To book a virtual or in-person consultation, or to learn about Stanley Korshak Bridal’s select in-store appointments, visit stanleykorshak.com/bridal or call 214-871-3611.
StarDust Celebrations
The owners and stylists at StarDust Celebrations have been working around the clock during the pandemic to service brides who have already purchased their dresses, as well as newly engaged brides who are ready to shop. “We are working hard to provide the customer service necessary to keep our doors open,” says Marsha French, owner. “We work every day, answering calls, making calls to designers, waiting for UPS, postponing weddings, and re-contracting with hundreds of vendors. You name it, we are doing it and keeping our commitment to our bridal customers.” Before retailers could re-open, StarDust brides were met at the front door of the store—by the staff in masks and gloves—who personally handed over their wedding gowns. StarDust Celebrations has also seen an uptick in online sales of bridesmaid dresses and tuxedos during shelter-in-place orders. StarDust is open at 25 percent capacity, per the new COVID-19 safety orders, and has temporary new retail hours. To learn more about scheduling a virtual appointment or fitting, or to schedule an in-person shopping appointment (limited now to two guests) at StarDust Celebrations, call 972-781-1619 or visit stardustcelebrations.com.
Warren Barron
Warren Barron is now open for in-person consultations and fittings in its Snider Plaza store. For more information about meeting with an expert stylist, call 214-526-8400 or visit warrenbarron.com to make an appointment request.
*Please note that hours of operation, in-store capacity and availability requirements, and COVID-19 safety protocols may change as new safety orders and restrictions change. Please contact the bridal salons to get the most up-to-date information.
