By Tracey Moro / Photography by Mike Ferdinande
We’ve all seen the photos on social media of the bride-to-be holding the sign – She Said Yes to the Dress. She appears happy, relieved and excited for the upcoming day. But how did she get there? How does the process go?
LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT DRESS
Macomb Vow took two beautiful models to two fabulous local dress shops to learn more about the dress shopping process and to try on some beautiful dresses.
But first let’s start with what to do – before you go shop.
It’s recommended by both the dress shops we visited and others, to do your homework before spending time at the dress shop. You want your time there to be productive and you can’t spend the whole day, so do your homework ahead of time.
It includes collecting photos – preferably on your phone – of what you think you might want. Think about fabrics, necklines, lengths, veils, even the bustle. The more direction of what you think you want in a dress, the better the stylist will understand and be able to provide what you’re looking for. But one of the best things to bring with you is an open mind.
Remember, the stylist does this every day, with all shapes of brides and she sees and has learned what works best, and is most flattering. So look in the mirror and know your shape, then be open minded and listen to the stylist, she is the fashion expert.
“Ten percent of the time a bride will find a dress just like the one they thought they wanted,” said Alessandra Sbrocca, owner of Alessandra’s Bridal & Formalwear in Warren.Which means 90 percent they go with a dress that is different. “Have faith (in your stylist) and try the dress on that you don’t care for on the hanger.”
Alessandra wasn’t the only one who suggested the open mind and how stylist can see what will really look flattering. We heard that from the team at Piera’s Bridal Couture as well. In fact, they said many more brides go with the dress they suggests than not.
You also have to plan ahead and schedule an appointment with the dress shop. Gone are the days of walking in unannounced and strolling racks of dresses for hours. Now brides plan an appointment, bring who they want (limited of course) and spend an hour working with a stylist – with an open mind. Piera’s stylists added, “In addition to a “hype crew” and Inspo photos, we encourage brides to bring a strapless/sticky bra and spandex or Spanx style shorts (these are not necessary and will be provided if a bride would like).” They also say it’s important to eat and hydrate prior to your appointment With all the standing, getting lightheaded or “hangry” is not what anyone wants.
Our time at Alessandra’s went beautifully in more ways than just the dresses. We started with getting our two models all dolled up. Two hair/makeup team members from the Studio 9 Salon, Emily Krogulec and Alicia Altovilla, tag teamed — one doing hair and makeup on our beautiful models inside their fully stocked mobile bus salon parked at Alessandra’s Bridal & Formalwear.
They suggest brides do a trial run with their hair up to see what it could be like since you already know what it looks like down, unless the bride is for sure planning on it being down. They also say eyelashes are a YES, but try them before the wedding day so you’re used to how they feel. “They finish the look,” said Alicia Altovilla, from Sterling Heights, who is getting married herself in 2026.
Studio 9 Salon has two locations, one in Shelby Township and the other in Sterling Heights, and their two mobile buses will travel, plus the team will travel within one hour from the salon. One way or another, their team can help you and your bridal party look their best.
Once the girls were beautifully done up, the team of stylists at Alessandra’s went to work. Since we can’t show all the different dresses that they would suggest for our models, we had them pick a dress per model. They picked one dress that would not only suit the model and her figure and personality but also a dress that is trending and has some features brides may not know even exist. Knowing the new styles and trends is what you rely on your stylist for. New styles come out constantly and your stylist will be up on all the latest trends. But remember, a bride’s style is her own. It can be vintage, or recent – or even a combination.
Your stylist can help you build the look you’re looking for. And for those brides who want more than one dress, you know who you are, the stylists can help you design a wedding wardrobe of looks for your wedding day. And when it comes to family members giving their opinions – “Brides need to concentrate on what they (the subject is brides) feel happy in, they don’t want to look back and say I should of picked what I wanted and not what my family wanted,” said Alessandra. “We try to explain (to the family) to be mindful of the bride’s choice. Remember it’s her day, not theirs.” This is why salons suggest limiting how many people come with the bride for her appointment. Alessandra said, “We suggest moms, mother-in-laws to be, grandmas, a best friend – (all) who can carefully support the bride.”
Our first dress at Alessandra’s is worn by Tianna Jones of Sterling Heights. She is in an Autumn Silk collection dress. Autumn Silk dresses are known for their “modern minimalism” and “timeless elegance.” The brand utilizes materials like rich silks, satins, tulle and beaded lace and showcase their opulence, refinement and fine craftsmanship. This dress with its satin skirt has a Basque waist, which flatters almost any shape but recommended for those with an hour glass one. A Basque Waist is a major 2026 trend, featuring a V-shaped or pointed dip extending below a natural waist. It is popular with a regal ball gown like this one as it narrows the waist while elongating the torso. The cap sleeves can be detached, making a full strapless dress for later in the night.
Model Mackenzie Belanger, of Milford, felt like a princess in this Sima wedding dress from Alessandra’s. The Sima Couture “Carla” wedding dress from the Sima Palace collection brings glamour and classic elegance to a timeless yet modern sexy look. The sculpted mermaid or fitted gown features a sweetheart neckline, corset bodice, and is shown with a removable skirt allowing for a dramatic ceremony look and a sleeker style at the reception. The gown is adorned with intricate embroidery, sequins and crystal embellishments that catch the light, adding significant sparkle.
ON TO OUR SECOND STORE
From Alessandra’s our team moved to Piera’s Bridal Couture in Shelby Township. Piera’s is all about the experience of trying on wedding dresses and believes by providing that perfect experience a bride will have that memory forever – along with a dress that is perfect for her big day. With 30 – plus years of experience, Piera herself has created a family business that not only has family working together but makes all the brides part of their family too.
We worked with Piera’s granddaughter Piera as our dress stylist. She has been working there for almost 16 years herself, having started while in college (though she worked in bridal in high school as well). Piera took into account the models’ figures and came up with a plan that would balance their shape with each girl’s personality. Each model was amazed by how she was able to pick a dress that totally suited them.
She dressed Mackenzie in a Kingston by Justin Alexander dress making her feel like a princess. Offering a combination of classic romance and modern elegance this dress brings a fairytale look any bride would welcome. This tulle ball gown brings romance to the wedding day featuring satin bodice with a scoop neckline and basque waist. The tulle skirt has a chapel length train, and the back of the bodice has covered buttons and delicate bow accents. The look was finished with a BelAire headpiece and dramatic Pronovias cathedral length veil with organza rosettes.
Tiana was dressed in a strapless lace Eve of Milady gown. This dress is a beautiful fit and flare gown that is made entirely of Italian lace appliqués The bodice has a sweetheart neckline and sift Basque waist. The dress also has some beautiful accessory options for brides. There is a matching lace and tulle overskirt, high neck long sleeve lace bolero, dramatic Basque waist satin belt, and/ or matching off the shoulder sleeves. “When Tiana had the dress on we had her try on the matching overskirt and it added a very dramatic silhouette and an even longer train. We also gave her two beautiful veil options. First, a dramatic mantilla style lace veil (Edward Berger), and the second was a “ghost veil” style with sparkle horsehair (Eve of Milady),” said Piera.
Piera suggests that brides plan about a year ahead to find a dress. The process can be long depending on each bride and how quickly she makes a decision – and says yes to the dress. Once you find the dress you still have to order it and do alterations. Deliveries can take 5-7 months on average and brides will need about two months for alterations. Piera added, “At Piera’s we also work with designers who offer quicker deliveries for brides shopping with shorter timelines.”
More than a mere commercial transaction, the dress shopping experience is a ritual, a journey filled with emotion, and symbolism, representing an important sense of passage, including standing with the sign. But ultimately, picking the dress is the beginning of the transformation leading a bride to her groom and to happily ever after.
