Today we’d like to introduce you to Kari Whittington and Madison Miller.
Owners and sisters in law, Jenna and Kari, graduated from Texas A&M University – Whoop! The sisters-in-law were teachers in the Kingwood area until their dream became a reality and Whittington Bridal was opened in 2012. Their mission is providing quality bridal gowns and superior customer service while investing in brides and the community.
When shopping for her own wedding dress, Jenna noticed something was lacking. Instead of being overwhelmed when gown shopping, like she was, she wanted to provide brides an enjoyable, relaxing shopping experience. She envisioned every bride enjoying a private stage, large dressing room, and professional suggestions to bring the entire look together – which now defines the Whittington Bridal difference. Jenna loves for each bride to have her moment– from the time she walks through the door, to the celebratory champagne toast when she finds the perfect dress!
When presented with the opportunity to fulfill her dream and open her own bridal salon, Kari leapt at the chance to provide brides hand-selected, beautiful, high quality wedding dresses. Kari is dedicated to carrying gowns that meet the Whittington Bridal standard: high quality fabrics, excellent fit, and beautiful details, all at an affordable price. By offering only the best, she takes the work out of the process, leaving only the fun for the bride!
Whittington Bridal has been serving brides for five and a half years and is proud to provide an award winning customer experience. Recently inducted into The Knot Hall of Fame, we are blessed with brides who have voted us the best bridal salon in Houston, five years in a row.
Has it been a smooth road?
The biggest lesson we have learned in building our own business from the ground up, is that you have to adapt and adapt quickly! We painstakingly paid attention to details and looked at what was working and what wasn’t. You have to pinpoint the weaknesses and make the necessary changes immediately to build a strong and cohesive brand.
For us, specifically, one challenge was adjusting and perfecting our collections to meet the taste of our brides and their visions. Another challenge was building a reputation of excellence in such a competitive bridal industry, however with friend referrals and word-of-mouth, we are growing daily.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Whittington Bridal story. Tell us more about the business.
Whittington Bridal specializes in hand curating designer bridal gown collections to ensure the best quality and fit. As a one-stop-shop we also carry bridesmaid dresses and bridal accessories to complete the bride’s vision for her special day.
We are known for providing the bride intimate and individualized attention from our friendly, and knowledgeable staff. We offer a warm relaxing boutique shopping experience with spacious dressing rooms, large mirrors, private stages and ample seating for large groups.
We are committed to both serving brides and giving back to our community. It is our core belief that people matter. Something that sets us apart is that when a bride purchases her gown from Whittington Bridal she is helping multiple ministries through our financial giving. At Whittington Bridal we consider it a blessing to serve others. Whether it is a bride in our store, a woman in a crisis, or an orphan needing a loving family, we have a heart to serve and to be a blessing to those in need.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
We are seeing new trend every season in bridal fashion. In the upcoming Fall 2017 collection, designers are trending toward sexier styles and silhouettes. We are seeing a shift from the princess ball gown to more fitting and sheath styles. Illusion necklines, sheer bodices and waist cutouts have been gracing the runway; along with intricate embellishments and modern laces.
We are seeing the introduction of more colors in bridal fashions. From light blue hues to blush tones, brides are wanting to step outside of the box and walk down the aisle in a more unique look. We are still seeing a demand for ivory for the more traditional bride, however champagne tones are becoming more of the norm.
Pricing:
- Bridal gowns range from $1200-$5500
- Bridesmaid dresses range from $165-$320
Contact Info:
- Address: 2665 Royal Forest Drive
Suite B 30 - Website: www.whittingtonbridal.com
- Phone: 8326445655
- Email: contact@whittingtonbridal.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whittingtonbridal/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhittingtonBridal/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/W_Bridal
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/whittington-bridal-kingwood
- Other: https://www.theknot.com/marketplace/whittington-bridal-kingwood-tx-438632
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
