Vendor Feature // Calla Bridal // Seattle Wedding Dress Shop

I am excited to announce a new blog series that is kicking off today with a Vendor Feature on one of my favorite Seattle Wedding Dress shops, Calla Bridal!  Over the next few months I will be featuring all types of different wedding vendors showcasing who they are, what they offer and how fabulous they are!

Today’s feature is all about one of the most important things you need in planning your wedding: your DRESS!  Calla Bridal is an amazing Seattle Wedding Dress shop that I have worked with numerous times and I am so excited for them to share their expertise and wisdom with you today.

How long has Calla Bridal been in business?
Since October 2008.

Where are you located?
We are in the Green Lake neighborhood of Seattle just north of downtown Seattle. We are just off I-5 and located near the corner of 65th and Ravenna Blvd. You have probably driven or jogged by us at some point!

Who is your ideal client?
The weddings we are a part of range from a glamorous ballroom soiree to a backyard bash. And we love that. Our ideal bride is planning the wedding that represents her and her partner the best, and is excited about it! We love it when a bride is enthusiastic and open minded when shopping. We want to help our brides be their best selves, not just another version of a trend.

Describe the process of working with you.  How would a couple interact with you from start to finish?
First, poke around our website and Instagram a little to see if we are a good match (hint: we don’t have too much glitz or sparkle, haha), and then make an appointment! When you arrive, we walk our brides though our gown selection, and maybe suggest a few, but really let the bride touch, feel, and explore. Your personal consultant will help you try on the gowns and make sure you get the best idea of their fit. Once we have really hit a groove, it’s time to try favorites back on and play with accessories. It usually takes our brides a few visits to the shop to pick “the one”. Then it’s time for the nitty gritty. We talk you through timelines and size charts in order to order the dress with as little stress as possible. Then a few months later, you come back to pick it up, and if needed we recommend the best bridal seamstress to make it exactly the right fit for just you. By the end of the whole process we feel like friends!

What makes your bridal shop unique?
We really prioritize quality and fit in our gowns. We keep up with what the Seattle bride wants, but we don’t sacrifice fit or consistent craftsmanship. A good fit, with great fabrics is always going to be in style.

What is your most popular gown/designer?
Hmmm, that is a tough one. Our gowns that are able to combine a soft and flowing silhouette with really great figure flattering structure underneath are always winners :)

What is the price range of your dresses?
Our gowns range from $1100 to $3500+, with most falling between $1800 to $2500.

Besides dresses, what other items does your shop sell?
We carry sashes, belts, a wide variety of veils, and a selection of jewelry.

What is the biggest trend you are seeing right now?
A desire for more unique necklines, and “backlines”. Dainty straps and illusion necklines are very popular, and allow for a more plunging back. Lace and delicate texture are still in high demand too.

Any advice for brides on a budget?
1. Be flexible, and trust your bridal consultant. Often times the best deal is a sample sale gown, that might take a little more imagination to make it perfect, like altering the neckline, or other design details. And at Calla, we love getting creative; mixing and matching pieces to create your dream look that wasn’t necessarily hanging all together on the rack, making it entirely original and budget friendly.
2. Do not try on a dress that is beyond your price limit, if you love it, you have made it even harder to fall for the right gown.
3. If you are shopping with a group, as awkward as it may be, let them all know the budget. It is no fun when your friends are asking to see you in something that is double your budget.
4. Shop early! The most frustrating budget busters are rush charges :(

What is the most common misconception about brides coming in to find a dress?
That a bridal gown will fit like any other dress in their closet. For example, many brides are afraid of a strapless neckline, because they are usually tugging them up all night. Most bridal gowns have so much more structure and support than our day to day dresses that (by the end of alterations) it shouldn’t be sliding anywhere! We just encourage our brides to try everything, even if the shape isn’t what is hanging in their closet at home.

Is there a specific style that you are dying to see become a trend this season?
A little more variety in fabrics. We love lace, but making room for chiffon, tulle and other silks to do their thing would be fantastic.

If you could offer one piece of advice to future brides about their wedding, what would it be?
Try your best to enjoy the process, start shopping early, and visit Calla Bridal, haha!