Feel the love as you step through the doors of Ashbury Bridal Couture.
The walls are lined with white wedding gowns experienced in romance. That splash of satiny colour in the corner screams, ‘good times!’ In the window, it’s all about baubles and bling from local artists.
But it’s the owner of the boutique who really keeps that lovin’ feeling alive.
Shilo Verhaegen owns Kelowna’s only bridal and grad consignment store in 2012. Her motivation? To help women find that it’s-my-special-day look without the wait or expense that new wedding dresses carry.
Brides-to-be can browse designer dresses and get the princess treatment; trying on dresses while her besties lounge and provide support. Once the dream dress is found, a seamstress is on call to make the necessary nips and tucks for a perfect fit.
The store isn’t just for brides. They also carry consignment gowns perfect for swishy occasions like graduation or being a seat-holder at the Oscars.
Why stop at the gown? Finish the look with gently-used shoes, bags and wraps as well as locally made one-of-a-kind accessories (worth a pop-in even if you’re not in the market for a dress).
All previously-loved dresses get the royal treatment before they show up on the racks at Ashbury. The garments are eco-dry-cleaned and minor repairs are tended to. Only the best make it onto the racks, so you won’t waste your time searching through a sea of unseemly dresses.
It might be the presence of hundreds of dresses that have witnessed the magic of ‘I Do’ or it might be Shilo’s insatiable passion for helping you look stunning on your special day but there is no doubt you’ll feel wrapped in love when you walk in the door and when you walk down the aisle.