In August 2018, Cassie David opened Honest in Ivory, a new bridal boutique. In less than a year, this upstart was the only Spokane wedding boutique awarded the Knot's Best of Weddings 2019 designation — which recognizes the top wedding vendors across the country. Earning this award starts with exceptional customer reviews followed by a rigorous evaluation. According to the Knot, only the best of the best (top 4 percent) receive this honor.
Designers who make a difference
"I was totally prepared for a very slow start," David recalls. Instead, at her grand opening more than 400 people showed up within two hours and she quickly found herself with 200+ appointments on the books. David credits her rapid success to an exceptional inventory of dresses that brides see on shows like Say Yes to the Dress. "Our designers that we carry are exclusive to us, so you can't find some of them within 300 miles."
Experience matters
"I would also attribute a lot to my employees and how amazing they make the girls feel," David adds. Each bride is paired with her own stylist and can share their Pinterest boards in advance of their appointment, so dresses can already be pulled. Then it's all about having fun. Each private shopping session starts at the mimosa bar, and friends or family can lounge on velvet sofas as the bride finds her perfect dress. "I think that speaks to how consumers now are moving towards an experience economy."
What she wants every bride to know
As far as trends, David says Spokane brides are voting for quality and comfort with their dollars, which can make their wedding day all the more pleasant. David wishes all brides knew that if they want a custom gown, they need to be prepared to order at least eight months in advance to avoid rush charges. In the age of Instagram and Pinterest, David says she also wishes she could take some of the pressure off brides to make every single detail perfect. "There is a lot of pressure for [their wedding] to look really unique or for it to be spectacular. And I just want to tell girls, 'Just pick what you like and do it for you, not the 'Gram.'"
