Making your special day beautiful, affordable and truly memorable is the goal of Brides & Belles owner Kim Futcher, who caters to curvy girls of all sizes.
A steady stream of satisfied customers, along with a recent move to a new location on Oliver Street has resulted in exciting new growth for the store.
“This is where you can get everything you need for your wedding. I have a seamstress on call to make your gown custom perfect for you,” Futcher said.
“The only full service bridal shop between Prince George and Kamloops, we can save you stress and save you money and help make your special day as beautiful as is can be.”
The downtown store carries bridal gowns, prom and evening gowns, girls’ dresses from three months to 16 years, winter formal dresses, bridesmaids’ dresses, and dresses for the mothers of the bride and groom.
You can also find things such as cake toppers and accessories like shawls, jewellery, flower girl baskets, gloves, exquisitely painted everlasting roses made from birch, tiaras, hair fascinators, belts and bridal sashes.
Brides & Belles has a lovely, relaxed atmosphere, and Futcher reserves the days the shop is closed for one-on-one fittings for clients.
“You can bring in your friends or family members — even your whole bridal party — to try on dresses and find everything you need. People love this: they like coming here, trying on dresses, laughing and telling stories and having fun. It’s like a little party,” Futcher explained.
“It’s always good to have another set of eyes. Your friends and family members know you better than anyone, and they can help you decide on colour, style, fabric and accessories.”
One of the things that sets this store apart is the belief that curvy girls deserve beauty and elegance, too.
“I want them to be able to shop for a quality dress because of its own merit, not because it’s in the ‘big’ rack. We cater to all tastes and all sizes, curvy girls from size 0-30. ‘He fell in love with you,’ I like to say, ‘not a size.’
“We’re just as special as anyone else, and that’s what I want everyone to feel who comes through my door,” she continued.
She said that there are certainly challenges.
“When it comes to suppliers I work hard to make sure I keep affordable. Another challenge is when a bride comes in and asks if I’ve seen something on ‘Say Yes to the Dress,’” she laughed.
Brides & Belles is flexible, affordable and practical, and focused on quality and top-notch customer service.
“To me, customer service means greeting people with a smile and giving them the best shopping experience possible.
“Sometimes it means sending people somewhere else; I’ve had people come back and say thank you for that. My customers also love that I have quality products and popular lines.
“I want customers to walk out of here feeling satisfied and happy that they found what they were looking for and had a great experience,” she added.
“When people are happy, I’m happy.”
For more information drop by the store at 160 Oliver Street, phone 250-267-8131, e-mail kim1997@telus.net or visit them on Facebook.