Whenever I’m asked to share the things I love most about the wedding industry, I always think about the couples who trust me to design for them and the wedding professionals I work with along the way. The details are beautiful (and so very needed), but it’s the fabulous people who make me love what I do year after year.
Week in and week out, I highlight the stationery suites and the couples they celebrate. But, today, I thought it would be fun to shine a light on one of the professionals I love. So, I’m thrilled to introduce you to Gabrielle. Gabrielle and her mom, Michele, are the proud owners and curators of the wedding dress boutique La Belle Mariee Bridal. Their shop is located in Langhorne, and it’s beautiful and so charming inside. This duo will make you feel at ease and ready to enjoy your appointment from the moment you first contact them, so I cannot wait for you to read more about Gabrielle and La Belle Mariee Bridal.
Below you will find Gabrielle’s top tips to do before you set foot in a wedding dress boutique, the mindset she recommends having, her top trends for 2020, and more. She has such a great heart for the brides she serves, so she decided to launch another business from her home during quarantine. You can now virtually try on wedding dresses by using the website Gownzie! I hope you love “meeting” Gabrielle!
What’s your top tip for brides to consider before shopping for their wedding dress? How many months in advance do you recommend starting to shop for a wedding dress?
My top tip is to have an idea of what style of dress you’re drawn to. La Belle Mariée has over 400 dresses. That can definitely be overwhelming! If you do your research on Pinterest, Instagram or my new website gownzie.com it can give you a jumping off point! When and where you are getting married can help guide you towards a certain style, fabric, or look! At LBM we let the bride select the dresses they want to try on. However, keep an open mind and be willing to try on something outside of your comfort zone if your consultant suggests it! Around 90% of our brides say yes to a dress that their consultant chose for them!
We recommend 9-12 months before your wedding. Once you choose your gown it takes about 4-6 months to come into the shop and we recommend leaving two months for alterations. Don’t worry if you don’t have that kind of time! Many of our designers offer rush orders with a small fee or you can choose from our beautiful selection of gown samples for immediate sale!
What is an ideal group to attend a dress shopping trip with the bride? What do you encourage the bride’s friends and family members to keep in mind?
We recommend keeping your shopping attendees to a maximum of 3-5 guests. Make sure your guests are people whose opinions you value and want to make a big decision like this. Also bring people who truly want you to be happy. It’s important that your guests want you to pick a gown that YOU love and feel YOUR best in. After all, you’re the one wearing it!
What is the best mindset for a bride to have while shopping for her wedding dress?
Wedding dress shopping should be fun and enjoyable! Make sure you are with people who bring you joy and you’re shopping at a boutique that is giving you a great experience! Throughout your appointment it’s important to keep an open mind to styles that might be outside of the box for you! I also recommend pulling a “wild-card” dress! It’s fun to try on something that you didn’t expect!
Can you walk us through a wedding dress appointment?
Prior to your appointment we will ask you questions about your wedding and your ideal dress. This will help us prepare for your appointment! At the start of your appointment we will go over this information to make sure nothing has changed and then we will go over the layout of the store. We explain how the dresses are arranged and point you in the direction of the dresses we think you would like, based on your description. Then we let you walk around and hand pick all the dresses you want to try on. There is no limit to how many dresses you can try on and our appointment blocks are 2 hours long! Once you’ve tried on all of your styles we re-try on your favorites back to back and style with accessories like a veil or headpiece! This will help you narrow down to THE ONE! Once you say Yes! to the dress we offer champagne to you and your guests and take photos! After that, we take your measurements and decide together which size gown we should order for you! At the end we take a fun photo or boomerang with you and your party with our I said YES at LBM sign!
What is a bridal trend you’re loving right now? What are some new trends you are seeing for 2020?
A trend I’m loving right now is detachable anything! A lot of our designers are making detachable sleeves, straps, trains, skirts, and bows! I like the versatility it gives brides! It allows brides to take their bridal look from ceremony to reception with ease! Some new 2020 trends are vintage throwbacks! Puffy sleeves that you may have seen on your mother’s wedding dress are back! Also, sparkles are in! Expect to see layers of sparkle on gowns, whether it’s just a layer of sparkle dusted tulle or a full layer of sequins! No matter which one, the bride will be sure to dazzle and sign the day away!
Who are some of your favorite bridal designers? Does La Belle Mariee carry gowns from all of them?
I’ve been a huge fan of Martina Liana and the year we were finally able to add them to our collection! Her gowns are simply STUNNING and so well made! She also offers tons of ways to customize your gown. This is so refreshing because a lot of designers don’t offer any changes or customizations. Berta is another favorite of mine. Her gowns are breathtaking, but her price-point is high. In the past few years she’s added two new collections – Muse by Berta and Berta Privée. These collections are equally as gorgeous and offered at a more reasonable price-point. Muse and Privée gowns are romantic, feminine and distinct!
Follow along with Gownzie and La Belle Mariee on Instagram, and don’t forget to check out their website!