Ellie’s Bridal Boutique in Alexandria is a fantastic salon worth visiting and it’s only a few minutes away from the nation’s capital. Located in the charming heart of Old Town, the boutique has something for everyone!
The boutique even has a great client portal that you sign up for so that you can keep track of the gowns that you try on. It was such a great tool for me to have so that I can have that important resource for future fittings.
During our interview, I got a chance to get some great in-depth insight into trends, what not to do, and why moms are coming in looking for their daughter’s wedding dress, yep you read that right, lol.
Scroll down to read more from my chat with the staff at Ellie’s!
Photos by Bryan Anthony Smith
What bridal trends are you seeing?
In 2023, we’ve been seeing more and more brides looking to be more fashion-forward. Meaning they’re taking more risks with their looks. Gowns with slits, color underlays, and 3D appliques have been highly requested. Instagram really drives our bride’s inspiration!
You mentioned that moms are coming in to look for bridal gowns for their daughter’s wedding, that’s really happening?
A lot of moms prefer to maintain a sense of control for their daughters big day and have a vision for how they would like their daughter to look. They will pop into the stores to examine exactly what our inventory, pricing, and staff is like.
In the Washington DC area, we have a melting pot of income levels, therefore if mom is paying for the gown, she wants to make sure that there are gowns in the price point she prefers.
As a person, I can completely understand the desire to be involved. However, from a bridal industry worker, I don’t recommend pre-shopping so intensely. Research is wonderful and we always encourage brides to send an email prior their appointment to make sure that they are booking at the proper boutique. Sometimes when you walk through to “just browse” you’ll be drawn to gowns that might not be obtainable for you!
Do you think singles should visit bridal boutiques before they get engaged?
It’s not something we typically recommend! Not because you might “jinx yourself,” but because a wedding dress is one aspect of your big day, and upon wedding planning with your soon-to-be spouse you might change your vision for your big day!
Wouldn’t it suck to fall in love with a 15 pound ballgown and then start planning and you guys decide on a tiny wedding on a tropical island? You might be left with a gown that doesn’t make sense anymore!
What can singles do now to prepare for their future bridal shopping experience?
Once you know there is a wedding in your future, Pinterest is your new BFF. Begin making boards for different visions. Start researching designers and then from there, find salons! Email is your best friend. Don’t be afraid to email and ask questions. A prepared bride is a happy bride.
How does the boutique help brides feel at ease while shopping for their perfect dress?
We always want our brides to know we are there for them. Not for mom, sister, BFF or anyone else. We’ve seen the highest highs and lowest lows, a good consultant is always working for the best interest of their bride! We listen to what our brides want and help them tune out any negativity.
What sets Ellie’s Bridal Boutique apart from other bridal boutiques in the Washington, DC area?
Oh, that’s an easy answer. Our staff! Yes, we come to work to make money- everyone does, but we also understand that we are being given the opportunity to assist a bride in finding the most important garment of their life! When brides make the decision to become an Ellie’s bride, we take that seriously. We want to make their vision a reality and work our hardest to help them. We exist because of our brides!
What are some great tips for a bride who feels overwhelmed with wedding dress shopping?
- Don’t bring too many guests (keep it small, and only the people who mean the most to you and will be supportive)
- Don’t try on gowns that don’t make sense. If you’re not a ball gown girl, don’t waste your time!
- It’s your gown, so shop for you.
- Start with one shop that has the most options for you. If you strike out, then book appointments elsewhere. Overloading yourself with appointments leads to disaster.
What has been the quirkiest request from a customer? Who won the award for most gowns tried on?
Well… someone once wanted a gowns that resembled a wedding gown someone from 1860s would wear to their wedding. Luckily, we swayed her from that! As for the number of gowns tried on, once we had a bride who shared mid appointment she officially tried on her 100th gown, spoiler alert: she didn’t find a dress that day.
Are brides looking for alternative bridal looks or do they remain mostly traditional?
It’s not as black and white as traditional vs. non-traditional. Brides are looking to purchase a gown that is true to themselves. Less brides are looking to stray away from their personal style.
What should a bride and her entourage expect once they step into Ellie’s Bridal Boutique for their appointment?
It’s hard to list out how an appointment goes as we tailor it to each individual brides’ needs. But when a bride steps into our shop, they come into a fun environment. Instead of your typically slow, piano music, we play 80s love songs to keep the energy flowing.
We have some delicious Bath and Body Works wallflowers filling the store with the smell of baked goods. Your consultant wants to laugh and have fun with you. We encourage brides to bring some bubbly and have a good time. When a bride comes to Ellie’s, we want them to leave saying: “That was amazing!”
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