There are quite a few bridal dress shops in and around central Illinois. That's just it, there are many shops, but not all have the intimate setting & feeling of a boutique. Then there is Adore Bridal & Specialty, located out of Morton, IL. Janice offers a one of a kind experience with all her brides, and wants each to have a special experience, no matter their budget. An experience including your own personal bridal stylist who will help you choose that one of a kind gown that is perfect for you! I told Janice that I wished she had been in business when I got married, because I would have definitely wanted the 'Adore experience'! I had the pleasure of working with Janice earlier this summer as we collaborated together on a styled shoot...
Janice was so much fun to work with, and afterwards it was fun to talk with her, and get to know a little bit more about her and her own business that has grown drastically in just the two years since it was started..
Q: How long have you been in the bridal shop business & what led you to start your own with Adore?
A: This is my 7th year in bridal. I fell in love with the industry when I first started as a bridal consultant and when I left I would always talk about how "someday when I was back in bridal." But I always got so stuck because I wished stores had this, or did that, and one day I posed the question of "what if?" What if I opened my own boutique and quicker than I could have imagined or hoped for Adore was born!
Q: What does your store have to offer that is different and will offer a more unique experience than say other bridal shops?
A: The experience. That is what Adore is all about. I joke that not only do I hope that you Adore your fiancé but I want you to Adore your time with us as well as your gown. I want you to feel as if we are family. I want to walk with you through this process and not just sell you a dress. My goal is that when you walk in the door you feel like you have entered my home and that we can get you into a gown that makes you feel like a bride and that you see yourself walking down the aisle in and looking at pictures of yourself in for all of your years to come. I also work very hard at offering gowns that are unique to this area. Whether it is through designers not found around here or the choice of dresses in color, fabric, design, neckline, etc, I want you to feel as if the selection is unparalleled.
Q: What is your favorite wedding dress line that you have to offer your brides OR what new product are you excited about currently?
A: I don't feel like I could choose. I get this question a lot. Especially brides asking me which gown in the store is my favorite. I am a firm believer that every gown has a personality and when you fit the personality of the gown to the personality of the bride you find the perfect match! So, this is to say that there are some gowns in the store that I really don't like, but I have put them on a certain bride, and I am instantly in love with it because that bride wears it so well, feels and looks beautiful and has such confidence in it. But I do have to say that I am super excited that we are expanding our Tara Keely line. Simply because it is designed by the amazing Lazaro, but at a price point that is so much more realistic. You can't find these gowns in Illinois outside of Chicago other than here at Adore!
Q: What other types of products does Adore offer other than wedding gowns?
A: Of course we offer bridesmaids, veils and some accessories. But many people don't know that we offer invitations. It's not something we do a ton of, but I love putting together a beautiful invitation suite for a bride. The two companies that we work with are both eco friendly, one being all bamboo paper and the other is plantable seed paper (which is SO cool). But the thing I think I am the most proud of is our amazing seamstress. She is, bar none, the best in the area. She will always make sure that you have the perfect fit and the customization options that she can do to create your perfect and unique look are endless!
Q: What's a fun/quirky fact that others may not know about you? When you're not running the shop, what's you favorite thing to do in your free time?
A: Free time?!?! Well, I can tell you that I do NOT watch "Say Yes to the Dress!" I love playing poker, being a wife, a mom, quilting, working alongside my husband in ministry and reading. (But not necessarily in that order!)
To any recently engaged brides, I would highly recommend contacting Janice for a one of a kind experience that you will never forget! :)
