Dressing the Part
From accessory boutiques to door-to-door couture, shopping for the big day has never been easier.
Inside KINSLEY JAMES COUTURE BRIDAL’s Walnut Creek salon. PHOTO: courtesy of kinsley james couture bridal
Known for its close ties to up-and-coming designers, Walnut Creek’s bridal salon Kinsley James Couture Bridal recently opened its second location in West Hollywood. “We felt like there was something missing in the L.A. bridal market,” says Dawn Silva Rigney, who, along with fellow co-founder and co-owner Amber Silva, offers couture gowns from major names such as Marchesa, as well as hard-to-find brands including Idan Cohen and Pallas Couture. 8231 W. Third St., L.A., 323-337-4305. KINSLEYJAMES.COM.
FLORAVERE H. Golightly gown, $2,890. PHOTO: courtesy of Floravere.
After experiencing the pains of wedding dress shopping, Stanford business school alum Molly Kang founded Floravere, the first luxury bridal brand that delivers dresses to your door, and allows you to try them on from the comfort of your home. The inaugural collection includes seven styles made by former artisans from the ateliers of Monique Lhuillier, Dior and Reem Acra. Brides try on samples, customize their style and receive a bespoke gown delivered in 10 to 15 weeks for less than $4,000. Sounds like love at first sight. FLORAVERE.COM.
VOW TO BE CHIC’s Santa Monica showroom. PHOTO: Courtesy of Laurel & Wolf.
Designer bridesmaid dress rental site Vow to Be Chic changed the game for bridesmaids who were less than enthused about getting stuck with a pricey dress they’d never wear again, stocking gowns from more than a dozen designers (including Nicole Miller, Jenny Yoo, Watters and Monique Lhuillier) with prices starting at $65. Its new Santa Monica showroom offers the same experience in person, giving bridal parties personalized service to try out dresses in plush digs—Champagne included. By appointment only; 1505 Fourth St., #300, S.M., 844-932-7869. VOWTOBECHIC.COM.
STYLED BY TC accessories to complement the wedding-day trousseau. PHOTO: APictureLife Photography.
“We are bridal fanatics,” says wedding stylist Ali Boulger of herself and her sister Emily Kouri, who co-founded Orange County’s Styled by TC, an accessory boutique dedicated to outfitting brides in everything but the dress. Some of their favorite pieces this season include fashion-forward veils from Jennifer Leigh, ethereal headpieces by Twigs & Honey, and not-your-average bridesmaid dresses (think lace-appliqué detailing, embroidered bodices and cold-shoulder necklines). 13031 Newport Ave., Ste. 114, Tustin, 714-544-1922. STYLEDBYTC.COM.
Written by Schuyler Bailey.
