Erika's Bridal Couture might be named for the owner who started the shop in 1973, but today it's Katie McCarty and her passionate team who are bringing brides' dreams to life. Katie, who is originally from Appleton, spent five years working in finance in Arizona before moving back to her Fox Valley home with her husband. It was here that she decided to make a career change to purchase and run the very store where she had purchased her own bridal gown. Since opening, Katie has put her personal stamp on the business, so she then invited fellow Neenah wedding vendor, Ardent Photography, to capture the shop on camera. The result is a peek into what these awesome vendors have to offer to the Wisconsin bride. Learn more about Katie and Erika's Bridal Couture in the Q&A below, and see Ardent Photography's fantastic photos.
WB: When and how did you get started in the bridal business?
Katie: I'm actually relatively new to the bridal industry as well as small business in general. My background is in public accounting and international foreign exchange. I had previously worked for one of the largest international accounting firms as well as an international solar power company in Arizona; however about two years ago, my husband and I moved home to the Fox Cities. I was able to purchase the boutique as more of a fun investment project that I knew would challenge me, but would allow me to engage in a fun industry where I could connect with brides--a process that I had just completed three years earlier when my husband and I were married, which had been an incredibly positive experience for me.
WB: What led to you taking over ownership of the bridal shop?
Katie: In 2009, I purchased my wedding dress from Erika's Bridal, and during my last fitting, the owner casually mentioned her plans for retiring in the next five years. I didn't really think much of it at the time, but when things worked out for my husband and I to move back to the Fox Cities, her comment immediately came back to me. The move from Arizona to Wisconsin really gave me an opportunity to change gears and focus on the things that I was passionate about. The idea of small business, the bridal industry, and the opportunity to work with people were so enticing that I couldn't resist contacting the former owner of Erika's to see if she was still serious about her casual comments four years earlier.
WB: What will be different with the new shop now that it is under your ownership?
Katie: There were a number of things that the previous owner excelled at, but there was definitely an opportunity to improve on customer service and bring the boutique into the 21st century. Our first focus is to provide the highest individualized attention to our brides. Over the last year and a half, our online reviews have turned around drastically so that means we are succeeding at this on some level. Our second focus is to keep our inventory fresh for brides with the newest collections from the top designers in the industry. It is exciting that we will be hosting trunk shows and styling nights in the next year! These are events that will be a blast for brides, not to mention the designer discounts that are usually included. My last focus relates to my efforts in electronically advertising and connecting with brides. I have been working with a web designer to get www.erikasbridalcouture.com operating with the features that our clientele want and need. We've also been very active with social media in general, especially with Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram.
WB: What do think makes your business unique?
Katie: We understand that the bridal gown purchase is a process, from when a bride first steps into the salon to look at gowns to the final pick up before her wedding day. We provide the highest individualized attention for a bride and her entourage in the Fox Cities. With our intimate bridal suite setting and only four staff members on hand, the bride is warmly welcomed by a familiar face each visit and her gown is handled with care from start to finish, including in-store alterations. We also offer various complimentary services to our brides, such as free gown storage up until the wedding date and free shipping to bridesmaids outside of the Fox Cities area.
WB: What is your favorite part about working with brides/weddings?
Katie: The energy in the shop, especially on Saturdays, is amazing. Our customers are so excited when they arrive and it's contagious! My favorite part is at the end of the appointment, watching the bride and her entourage walk out our door with smiles on their faces telling us, "thank you so much." It is the happiest feeling knowing you’ve helped them and are now going to be involved in creating one of the best days of their lives.
WB: What tips do you have for brides based on what you see in your business?
Katie: Be careful how many people you choose to bring with you dress shopping. It can be very exciting having a large entourage with you, but it can also get overwhelming with the plethora of opinions. Remember, everyone usually has an opinion about how you should look until a final decision is made. After that, all you hear is how beautiful you are going to look, so pick a dress that you like and bring a couple positive supportive people with you to assist in making that decision.
Erika’s Bridal Couture
130 E. Bell Street, Suite B
Neenah, WI
920.725.9291
erikasbridalcouture@gmail.com
erikasbridalcouture.com
