The wedding dress. 

Finding “the one” is one of the first things brides want to tick off their wedding planning to-do list. For some brides, the thought of dress shopping makes them giddy with excitement. The smooth silk, the luscious tulle, the complimentary champagne! For others, there is a bit of dread involved when they think about hopping from one store to the next, trying on dress after dress. Whichever category you find yourself in, there is a solution and it involves shopping at a wedding gown boutique that caters to your personality, style, and desires for your big day.

Today, I’m thrilled to introduce you to two amazing Texas bridal boutiques. 

Unbridaled is a collection of shops in Austin, Houston, and New Orleans, and each boutique houses dresses that fit the vibe of the region. 

a&bé Bridal Shop is located in Dallas’ design district and offers gowns created by indie designers. 

Each boutique is unique, but both go above and beyond to meet their clients’ needs. Keep reading to find out more about these exceptional bridal boutiques and how they can help you find the dress of your dreams. 

Tell us a little about yourself and your Texas Bridal Boutiques. 

Unbridaled: Beginning in 2005 as the "cure for the uncommon bride," we wanted a place for brides who were feeling overwhelmed or intimidated by traditional bridal stores. We offer a relaxed environment where brides can come and not only see styles that speak to them, but also have people help them who are chill and non-judgmental! While we feel like our collection of designers is unique and we have a dress for every type of bride, it really is our positive and friendly atmosphere that sets us apart.

a&bé Bridal Shop: I'm Casey, manager of a&bé bridal shop in Dallas, TX! a&bé is your haven from the same old same old for the brides who want our no-fuss, personalized, inclusive, and, simply put, fun experience! We personally put so much into our curated collection and we know that we are bringing you the best of what the industry has to offer modern brides. We are down to earth and the same goes for each and every a&bé bridal shop, as we run this company of boss babes with heavy doses of transparency and authenticity.

What do you love most about your work? 

Unbridaled: I love sharing in so much love! Hearing our brides' stories of how they met their partner and how the proposal happened always gives me all the feels and ignites that excitement to find her the perfect dress even more! I also love how positive of an environment it is that I get to work in. The female empowerment aspect is quite contagious. When it's a busy Saturday and all of our brides are looking across the fitting rooms, telling each other how great they look, it is always super uplifting. It's just nice to be surrounded by women supporting each other instead of focusing on competing with one another. 

a&bé Bridal Shop: Every day is fun and surprising! We meet the most incredible, kick-ass brides and get to help them plan the BIGGEST day of their lives. Our stylists bring personality and support into every day and every experience with our brides. Also, a&bé is committed to spreading the love within our community and across the nation by financially supporting women-focused, non-profit organizations that are working relentlessly to make a difference in our world.

What's your favorite part of working within the wedding industry? 

Unbridaled: Besides forming meaningful connections with our brides, I love having the chance to work and collaborate with so many talented local vendors on styled shoots. It's like having the chance to plan every dream wedding I've ever thought of without actually having to get married or go broke!

a&bé Bridal Shop: We center ourselves around authenticity. We care about creating a genuine connection with our brides and doing what we can to guide them through an (overwhelming, at times) process.

Where do you find the most inspiration for your Texas Bridal Boutiques? 

Unbridaled: Through many of the wedding blogs and social media platforms that are out there nowadays. Festival Brides is one of my favorites, as well as Green Wedding Shoes and Ivory Tribe. I also get inspiration from the people that I work with everyday! My uber-talented bridal consultants always have awesome ideas about how to style or accessorize our brides in a way I never would have thought of myself! 

a&bé Bridal Shop: Our collection of dresses are curated with our actual brides in mind. With in-house buyers and stylists who are a part of curating the collections, we hear and respond to our clients' feedback and tend to make lots of dress dreams come true as a result. 

What wedding dress trends are you loving right now? 

Unbridaled: I'm loving all of the modern textures that designers are using right now. It's not all about the traditional flowery lace anymore, but more interesting appliques, metallic threading, or more geometric designs. The opposite of that, I am also loving the very sleek, simple, clean-line dresses, like satin or crepe fabrics. They truly allow the bride to shine and are an amazing blank canvas to add flair and personality to the look with accessories!

a&bé Bridal Shop: All of the spectrum! From the clean modern, simple vibes, to ruffles and over-the-top texture, there are so many amazing styles in bridal right now! We're always down for a bride who wants something just a little different and unexpected - finding something that really sparks!! Either way, you've come to the right place.  

Is there anything you'd like clients to know before they come to you? Any pointers or tips? 

Unbridaled: You definitely don't have to have it all figured out before you come in, but doing a little research ahead of time can help. There are so many different bridal stores and so many different styles out there that narrowing it down will save you a lot of time and headaches. Go to our website to get a sense of the designers we have as well as the individual price points of each to ensure those things at least line up with what you have in mind. Other than that, come in with an open mind and trust your stylist! They might put you in something you didn't expect, but they know what they are doing and are there to help you find the perfect dress!

a&bé Bridal Shop: Be you, babe! Seriously, be yourself, not anyone else for your day and be sure that the main opinion that matters is the voice inside yourself. 

What can clients expect when working with your Texas Bridal Boutique? 

Unbridaled: Expect to have a good time! I don't want to toot my own horn, but you will basically want to be friends with us and go get drinks after your appointment.

a&bé Bridal Shop: We strive to be an advocate for the bride, to help her, surround her with unique dresses, and be a part of sharing one of the most special days of her life. 

How far in advance should a couple book with you? 

Unbridaled: We are typically flexible during weekdays, so if somebody wants to just pop in without an appointment we are all about that and love being accessible to those last-minute [shoppers]. We do require appointments on Saturdays, so we recommend booking as far in advance as possible just so you don't miss out!

a&bé Bridal Shop: Gowns generally take 4-6 months to arrive and with current production delays, you could be looking at up to 10 months in some cases. Be sure to leave 2-3 months for alterations to achieve the perfect fit for your gown!

What tips/advice can you give couples planning their big day? 

Unbridaled: Don't lose yourselves and forget about what you really want. It is so easy to get caught up in the little details and other people's opinions, but at the end of the day all that matters is the two of you coming together and celebrating your love!

a&bé Bridal Shop: Do what feels like you and what fits the vision you have for your day. Sometimes all the opinions & ideas can get into your head. Clear the clutter and focus on being yourselves!

If you have any questions about Texas Bridal Boutiques, do not hesitate to reach out! Also, as always, we can chat about your wedding photography needs, too!