The biggest aspect of planning a wedding—well, for the woman, anyway—is choosing a wedding dress. However, the process of shopping for the perfect gown is overwhelming and can sometimes get ugly (just watch “Say Yes to the Dress”). Bridal boutique owner Emily Glass DeGasperis is here to change that. At her shop Blush in uptown Kingston, the bride-to-be will get a unique experience with the upmost attention.
“When you book an appointment, the store is yours for two hours,” Glass said. You and your entourage can come to the “cozy little boutique” and look at the dress selection that Glass has hand-picked. The shop currently carries four different designers as well as bridal party dresses. “It’s a one-stop shop for the whole bridal party,” Glass said.
Her boutique offers something for everyone, “from standard chiffon gowns to more funky and fun options,” Glass said, like a jumpsuit or two-piece. Glass will help you choose what style of dress you are looking for, by asking you about where your venue will be, and other details to figure out “what’s the look—more rustic or more refined?”
From there, clients can look at the diverse collection, from super traditional ballroom to more simple and boho-chic, in a variety of fabrics and detailing such as lace, crepe, tulle, sparkle and pearl. Glass has a background in fashion merchandising and wedding events, so she is knowledgeable of the whole process.
When asked how she chooses the dresses, Glass said, “They have to be different. They all bring something to the table.” One wedding dress trend that Glass has seen the past few years is a lot of lace. For this coming year, she said it will move away from lace and focus on more natural fabrics, such as satin.
Glass opened Blush one year ago. Working in the wedding and fashion industry, she would always ask clients where they got their wedding dress; most of them said in Albany or New York City. She wanted to offer a local shopping experience, and fill a hole in the Hudson Valley area. “It’s a shame, because they’re getting everything else local,” she said. So she decided to open Blush.
Price point is big for Glass. Her dresses start at $1,500 and go to about $3,000. When she was getting married, she said her sister told her to set aside $10,000 for her own dress. That was way too much, Glass thought, so she set a budget of $1,500 and was able to find a dress from the designer Essence of Australia, which she now carries at her store. “You really don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to get the perfect look for your big day,” she remarked.
Putting together style and price, you get a good mix of trendy options that won’t make your budget skyrocket. Glass said she listens to the customer, and what they are asking her for all the time. “It’s a totally different experience than a box shop,” Glass said.
Blush Bridal is located at 292 Wall Street, Kingston, NY. Email hello@blushbridalbtq.com or call 845.338.3135. By appointment only. Visit www.blushbridalbtq.com.