EDITOR’S CHOICE: We’ve handpicked the best of the best Bridal Dress Shops in Knoxville to help you pick the right one for your big day.
The wedding dress shopping experience can be a truly rewarding and fulfilling experience, especially if it ends in the purchase of a fabulous wedding gown that makes for a perfect fit for your upcoming celebration. In order to achieve that fabulous experience, you’ll need to select a bridal salon in your local area that is well stocked with the kinds of gowns you need and that is staffed by a team of professionals who know the ins and outs of gown shopping.
To help you find the best options in your local area, we’ve created this list of the top ten bridal salons to be found across Knoxville, Tennessee, and beyond – we hope that you enjoy checking out our list and evaluating your options as you sort through the pile for the diamond in the rough!
The Gilded Gown is one of the most sought-after and popular wedding dress shops in all of Knoxville and beyond. Tasked with the mission of providing brides-to-be with memorable dresses that speak to the romance and elegance of the wedding celebration, The Gilded Gown always follows through for its clients, with appointments scheduled in advance of a purchase. Dresses are available in sizes 00 to 32, making the dresses here accessible to brides of all shapes and sizes. The Gilded Gown sells accessories in addition to a wide offering of wedding dresses, meaning that brides will not have to look beyond this shop for everything they need for their wedding day bridal party.
The Short Version:The Gilded Gown in Knoxville, Tennessee, is committed to giving every bride-to-be a customized experience. Whether she is seeking a classic lace-covered gown or a simple beachy dress, the bridal boutique can help her celebrate her relationship in style. The Gilded Gown team shifted to appointment-only operation in 2020 and developed a preference for that method because of the personalized attention the sessions offer brides.
Many soon-to-be brides dream about the biggest relationship celebration of their lives: their wedding day. And the perfect dress is a significant part of that occasion.
Brides need to keep plenty of considerations in mind when choosing a wedding gown. Brides magazine suggests they should choose a dress that matches their wedding style. If a couple plans to celebrate their union outdoors, the bride may also opt for a more informal gown than she would for a church ceremony.
Certain gown styles are more appropriate for different bodies, as well.
“A fit-and-flare is both contemporary and traditional and works on many body types, whereas a simple sheath is best on tall, willowy brides. A voluminous ball gown adds drama but can overwhelm a petite frame. Mermaid styles show off curves like your favorite pencil skirt,” explains the magazine.
Before they head to the bridal shop, the magazine also suggests that brides write down three adjectives defining their dream dresses.
Brides in the Knoxville, Tennessee, area often find those dresses at The Gilded Gown. The shop also stocks prom dresses and accessories. Women with varied tastes, body types, and wedding plans can find what they’re looking for at this unique bridal boutique.
The Gilded Gown has beautiful dresses for any type of wedding or formal occasion.
“Our favorite moments are when we have a bride who comes to see us afraid that she won’t find a dress. Perhaps because of her size or the fact that she’s a ‘tomboy’ or ‘doesn’t wear dresses’ or ‘isn’t a girlie girl.’” said The Gilded Gown Owner Jacqui Wadsworth. When we can guide her to the perfect dress, and she cries in joy in the mirror at her reflection and feels truly beautiful, we know we have done our job right.”
The Gilded Gown aims to help brides start their life-long relationships with dresses that reflect their unique style and personality. And helping them find what they like is half the fun for the tight-knit team.
The Boutique Store Shifted to Appointments-Only During COVID-19
Jacqui entered the formalwear business more than 30 years ago as a textile broker for manufacturers. In 2005, she started selling bridal gowns wholesale out of a warehouse before opening The Gilded Gown in 2008 with her sister, Elizabeth Ethridge, and her daughter, Grace Alexander.
Jacqui’s practice of targeting specific clients using Facebook ads distinguishes The Gilded Gown from similar bridal shops. The goal is to bring more women with relationship celebrations on the horizon into the shop, so she created specialized marketing for a local clientele.
In combination with her keen eye for dress buying, that outreach has solidified The Gilded Gown’s year-by-year growth — even as other brick-and-mortar retailers have struggled.
Of course, The Gilded Gown did have its challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, though the team found ways to innovate.
“One impact we still face is rising shipping costs and shipping delays. Luckily, we sell gowns off the rack and have a huge selection of more than 1,000 gowns, so we’ve been able to handle those effects,” said Jacqui.
The Gilded Gown offers private appointments to give customers personalized service.
This individualized attention brides were accustomed to receiving also continued during the COVID-19 pandemic. The store kept that interaction going by allowing brides to book appointments. Though Jacqui and her team did not want to become an appointment-only business, they came to appreciate that shift.
“Turns out, amazingly, that it’s better for our brides and our stylists. Our store is less crowded, more peaceful, and our stylists can concentrate on just one bride at a time. Also, we have implemented stringent cleaning policies, which result in an always sparkling clean store,” Jacqui said.
The changes have been so successful, The Gilded Gown team plans to continue the approach even after the pandemic subsides.
Catering to Brides of All Ages & Backgrounds
Most brides who seek dresses from The Gilded Gown are between the age of 18 and 35, though the shop does cater to older brides, as well. The boutique stocks gowns ranging in size from 00 to 32 and that fit a variety of budgets.
The shop also sells gowns that work with many different styles of weddings, from casual to formal.
“Over the last few years many brides have had to change or postpone their weddings. In our experience, that has also been a good thing since we have dresses to fit any style of wedding,” Jacqui said.
Many brides-to-be share a common trait: They want to celebrate their relationships with gowns that fit their style.
There are 12 stores remaining open at the mall, which will close on Jan. 31, 2020.
Author: WBIR Staff
Published: 10:48 AM EDT November 1, 2019
Updated: 10:49 AM EDT November 1, 2019
With Knoxville Center Mall closing at the end of January next year, the Gilded Gown is having a moving sale and plans to move into a new location in West Knoxville.
The Gilded Gown said they hope to be moved into their new store at Walker Spring Shopping Center by Dec. 1 after painting and building new dressings rooms.
In the meantime, the store is open at Knoxville Center Mall every day having their moving sale!
You can see the staff has been busy checking out their new spot and choosing new paint colors.
There is a reason brides from seven states flock to The Gilded Gown in Knoxville, Tennessee. This expansive boutique has everything bridal shoppers are searching for from exquisite wedding dresses to all the perfect finishing touches. The welcoming atmosphere and caring personal stylists make it easy for brides to find the dress of their dreams.
The Gilded Gown is composed of two stores side by side, one for bridal and one for prom for a total of 12,000 square feet. The ample size allows owner Jacqui Wadsworth to stock her store with an amazing selection of one-of-a-kind gowns for every special occasion in all sizes, styles and price points so every customer can find their dream dress.
Jacqui’s love of all things bridal led her to open her Knoxville, Tennessee store more than ten years ago. Since that time she and her awesome team of dedicated stylists have helped thousands of brides say “yes to the dress.” She explains, “We love our brides and it shows! From the moment brides enter The Gilded Gown we want them to feel relaxed and happy. We are honored to share in the amazing experience of helping them select their perfect wedding dress. And we are confident that we have all the tools to make that happen: a luxurious selection of beautiful gowns in all sizes and styles, a wonderful team of caring stylists, helpful payment options (including four-month layaway) and a stress-free, friendly atmosphere.”
Jacqui goes on to say, “I like to think the experience we give them sets the tone for the wedding day. I’m mindful about stocking just as many size 24 dresses as I do 2s,” Wadsworth said. “So everybody can come here and have a lifetime shopping experience.”
Another thing that keeps The Gilded Gown busy year after year is their constant presence on social media. They actively post engaging content on their Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and YouTube accounts as well as on their own site’sblog. With a combined following of more than 100K The Gilded Gown has attained influencer status thanks to the tireless work of owner Jacqui Wadsworth. She is able to effectively communicate the joyful experience brides and their parties have at her shop. “Yes’ moments are always popular content:
The Gilded Gown offers brides the opportunity to buy off the rack as well as the chance to custom order current season designer styles.
Bridal Appointments are encouraged so that each bridal party can have their own dedicated stylist. Brides can schedule their appointments directly on The Gilded Gown website here. Or, they can simply call 865/329-4905. Bridal appointments typically last about one and a half hours.
Veils, Jewelry, Tiaras, Hair Vines & Headpieces
The Gilded Gown has a luxurious selection of accessories including hundreds of beautiful veils, as well as an extensive collection of bridal jewelry, gorgeous bridal sashes, lace jackets, hair vines, combs, headbands, and tiaras.
The Gilded Gown also offers an extensive selection of gorgeous prom, pageant, and formal dresses.
Bridal, prom boutique The Gilded Gown expanding in Knoxville Center Mall
Published 12:09 p.m. ET Jan. 15, 2019 | Updated 12:12 p.m. ET Jan. 15, 2019
Owner Jacqui Wadsworth, bottom left, with sister Elizabeth Ethridge, top left, and daughter Grace Alexander, right, at The Gilded Gown at Knoxville Center Mall. (Photo: Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel )
The decline of the mall has not impacted their business at all. In fact, they’re growing, owner Jacqui Wadsworth said.
“This opportunity (to expand) has come to us because we’re in this mall,” she said. “There was room right next door to move in.”
Prom dresses come in all sizes
Wadsworth opened the store in 2008 in South Knoxville and moved into the mall in 2014. Since 2015, business has almost quadrupled, she said.
Now there’s a more comfortable space for both brides and formal wear shoppers.
“Our bridal business has grown so much, we had no fitting rooms left for our prom clients,” Wadsworth said.
The prom side stocks about 1,200 dresses in sizes 000-36. Prom shopping season starts in mid-January and ends in mid-April.
“We have just as many size 24s as we do 2s,” Wadsworth said. “So everybody can come here and have a lifetime shopping experience.”
Wadsworth said she hopes to keep the prom storefront open year-round, and will add additional formal wear if that happens. The move allowed them to add about 200 prom dresses to the floor and there’s space for fitting rooms and a seating area.
Prom dress trends this year include lots of sparkle, beading, metallics, champagne colors, florals and sleek silhouettes. Prom dresses range from $159-$699.
Wadsworth said they are hiring additional associates and will have about 20 employees soon.
The Gilded Gown owner Jacqui Wadsworth talks about the store’s expansion in Knoxville Center Mall. Brianna Paciorka, USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee
More space for wedding dress shopping
The store carries about 1,000 bridal gowns in stock at all times, from size 000 to 32.
Dresses range from $500-$3,500, but most fall into the $699-$1,499 range, Wadsworth said. Clients come from seven states.
Because formal wear has moved next door, it’s created a more spacious area for brides to try on dresses and lots of room for the bridal parties. They’ve also added two additional runways for brides to model their selections.
“I like to think the experience we give them sets the tone for the wedding day,” Wadsworth said.
Bridal trends this season include boho, ball gowns, lace and sparkle.
The store also has plenty of accessories, from headpieces to veils, sashes and clutches. Accessories are half-price with the purchase of a dress.
Walk-ins are welcome and brides can take home a dress the same day.
Our gorgeous bride Hillary and her handsome groom Rajiv were featured in the Fall issue of Pink Bride:
We are tickled pink to be featured In BRIDES Magazine, May 2018:
What a pleasure to be featured in Vows Magazine’s March/April 2018 Issue:
We were SO honored to be named the Stand Out Retailer in Vows Magazine in 2016:
We love getting published along with our talented co-vendors. Please enjoy the following links to press featuring The Gilded Gown!!!
Also Featured On:
Borrowed and Blue featured The Gilded Gown in their Vintage Americana Styled Shoot here.
We are thrilled to be included on Aisle Society. Please read more here, photographed by Red Boat Photography.
Read more about our bride Jane’s Elegant Retro Wedding here on Bridal Pulse, photographed by JoPhoto:
We were thrilled to be included in the latest Borrowed & Blue “Lavender & Orchid Styled Shoot” here:
Lovely Staci had her beach wedding published by BridalPulse here:
One of our brides, who selected a gorgeous, non-traditional gown for her ceremony, was featured on BridalPulse here:
We are thrilled to be included in this beautiful Seaside FL wedding recently published in Bridal Pulse here:
One of our beautiful Gilded Gown Brides was featured in BridalPulse here:
She was also featured in another spread at BridalPulse, detailing her journey to find her dream dress (which she found at The Gilded Gown!). We think she and her dress are beyond stunning! To see more please click here.
The super-cool indie site In Search of the Alternative showcased The Gilded Gown in a Glam Halloween Wedding here! And Up Up & Away Weddings also gave us a shout out here!
Several Gilded Gown dresses were featured in a Bohemian Botanical Garden Styled Shoot at Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum published on the site BORROWED & BLUE this summer