Finding your wedding dress can be one of the most fun experiences you’ll have while wedding planning. Luckily, Chicago is home to some of the best bridal salons in the world, including Andersonville’s chic wedding shop, Honey. We visited Honey to get the scoop on the salon experience, so read on to learn all about wedding dress shopping at Honey Bridal Chicago!
About Honey Bridal
Honey is a modern wedding shop where you are free to be exactly who you are. Honey stocks dresses and separates that range from understated and un-traditional to full-on ball gown! If white’s not your color, or you prefer jumpsuits to gowns, that’s fine. If you want to look like a Disney princess on your big day, that’s cool, too. They don’t judge, gasp, or ask if you’re saying yes to the dress. Honey Bridal has comfy chairs, serves cocktails, and plays your favorite tunes while you shop.
What You Can Expect
Lakeshore in Love: Tell us about the shopping experience. What can a bride expect for her appointment?
Dana of Honey Bridal: Honey brides can expect a comfortable, laid back environment free from judgement or pressure. The store is closed for each appointment to provide complete privacy for the bride and her guests. We pour cocktails, put on their favorite tunes and let them browse through our entire selection to choose which gowns they would like to try.
What Makes Honey Different
Lakeshore in Love: What would you say differentiates you from other Chicago bridal boutiques?
Dana of Honey Bridal: Honey embodies the spirit of its Andersonville neighborhood — relaxed, inclusive, and a little bit irreverent. Honey stocks handcrafted dresses from independent designers, and specializes in styles for the modern bride who knows who she is. We are laid back, chill and focused on providing every bride the best possible experience in our boutique. We want everyone to feel their absolute best during their time with us.
The Ordering Process
Lakeshore in Love: What is the ordering process? How far in advance should a bride select their gown?
Dana of Honey Bridal: When a bride makes her final decision on a gown, we take measurements and place the order that day. Most designers require about 4 months lead time and we always recommend leaving 6-8 weeks for alterations, so we encourage brides to place their order between 6-8 months in advance. There are certain designers that have a longer lead time closer to 6 months, but we make sure to point that out to each bride prior to making their decision. In addition, almost all designers will rush their gowns for an additional fee.
Designers Carried
Honey carries two designers local to Chicago, Alyssa Kristin and Varca Bridal, as well as an abundance of amazing independent designers from across the United States and Canada. Visit their website for the complete list of designers.
The Basics
Appointment Hours: Appointments available daily from 10:30am-6:30pm
Sizes Carried: Sample sizes 6-12. Can order dresses in sizes 0-30.
Price Range: $1800-$6500
Photos Allowed: YES
Alterations Available In-House: No
Gown Storage Available: No
Preservation Services Available: No
