I’m only 19 years old, and I don’t plan on walking down the aisle for at least another half-decade.
However, I would be lying if I said I didn’t love feasting my eyes upon the throngs of sparkling wedding gowns that often line my Pinterest feed. From slim-fitting mermaid styles to voluminous ball gowns, from crisp white to soft cream, there is something intensely magical about your wedding day ensemble, no matter what it looks like. You can express your style in the most extravagant way possible, maximizing your feelings of beauty to the fullest potential.
Fortunately for the Arizonans who will be hearing wedding bells soon, downtown Phoenix recently welcomed a new shop to its quarters: Australian dress shop Luv Bridal & Formal, located on 7th and McKinley streets.
According to owner Scott Webster, Luv Bridal has eight stores spanning every major city in Australia. This new Phoenix spot is the store’s first U.S. location.
“We just saw that there was a real need in the market for what we offer and our different way of doing things as a bridal store,” Webster said.
Luv Bridal has only been a part of the community for about two weeks (it opened its doors on Feb. 7), but it is quickly making a name for itself in the neighborhood.
“We’re really lucky,” Webster said. “We have these massive windows on 7th street. We’re getting lots of people who are driving by, seeing that we’re a bridal store.”
I can see why. Sweeping white curtains hang in the store windows, with a variety of gowns on display. It’s enough to make any passerby want to pop in and try on one of those gorgeous dresses.
Webster also credits the store’s indoor set-up as another factor separating Luv Bridal from other wedding gown shops.
“The way we display our gowns is second to none,” Webster said. “We have all of our gowns out and showing and displayed perfectly.”
In addition to the visually appealing appearance of the store, the shop is stocked with a variety of sizes, ensuring that brides don’t have to worry about the sinking feeling of finding the perfect item only to discover it’s not available in their size.
No matter who the bride is, “we will most likely have a sample for her to try on in a size that’s close to hers,” Webster said. “It makes such a difference for a bride to be able to try on a dress in her size.”
The store also sells bridesmaid dresses, and scrolling through these colorful frocks on Luv Bridal’s website almost makes me wish I had a prom to go to so I could don one of these cute pieces.
If a wedding appears to be in the cards for you (sooner rather than later, especially), you should know that Luv Bridal is having a grand opening sale until March 8, to give you that final push you need to get your hands on that dream gown. The premise of the sale? A designer dress, veil and accessory for $999, quite the steal considering the fact that the price of a dress alone can often enter four-digit territory.
Webster notes that the store may even have to extend the sale due to the high volume of appointments they have been experiencing.
So if you’re one-half of a tight twosome and you’re still waiting for the big question, why not pop it yourself? After all, you’ll get to rock a gorgeous once-in-a-lifetime ensemble, and finding one is easier than ever (or just more tempting?) with a new dress shop right down the street. And who doesn’t want to look like a princess for a day?
Oh yeah, and the lifetime of happiness is pretty good too.
Contact the columnist at lallnatt@asu.edu
