TORRANCE, Calif. – A Torrance bridal shop went from lacing up dresses to closing its doors just months after opening. It wasn’t the start co-owner Cindy Carvel of Sofia Bella Bridal was hoping for.
“We’re right on track to where we wanted to be and then COVID happened. And, it went from a nice progression up to nothing,” Carvel said.
But as Carvel, an off-the-rack bridal shop, closed its doors for in-store try-ons, some brides were determined to continue planning for their weddings.
“They were panicked. Some were still getting married online on Zoom and some were very hopeful about getting married at the end of the summer or fall,” Carvel said.
That’s when Carvel decided to bring their bridal consulting and dresses to brides who were still looking by providing virtual appointments. Carvel ended up saving the date for over 50 brides-to-be, like Maggie Miller, who was able to continue planning for her 2021 wedding using the shop’s virtual appointments.
During her session, Miller was able to get up-close detail of wedding dresses without ever setting foot in the store. Once she made her three selections, the dresses were shipped for her to try-on at home. The virtual connection also allowed her family in other states to be a part of the process even while they were apart.
“I was disappointed to think that my mom couldn’t be there and my aunt’s couldn’t be there and my best friends couldn’t be there to go dress shopping so being able to do it on zoom was amazing,” Miller said.
Virtual appointments helped Carvel’s business weather the financial storm of COVID-19 restrictions. But it also helped her create a new experience that she plans to keep in service for future brides like Miller.
“There’s nothing like coming in. But virtually, the way we’ve set it up, it’s just been like the next best thing,” Carvel said.
While brides might have to push back their wedding dates, Carvel is hopeful that these online appointments will help brides look forward to walking down the aisle, one day.
Sofia Bella Bridal is accepting in-store try-ons. Try-ons are limited to two people, scheduled appointments only.