The wedding industry has been affected in devastating ways by the recent pandemic, and local bridal shop owner Meighan Winton says watching her brides experience such sudden and heartbreaking changes to their weddings has been difficult to watch.
Winton, co-owner of Kathleen’s Bridal in historic downtown Madison, explains that operations were challenging on the manufacturing side but that everything is now on the upswing. From a current manufacturing and shipping perspective, Kathleen’s Bridal is still receiving new items to showcase in the store almost daily.
Per Governor Kay Ivey’s re-opening announcing earlier this week, Kathleen’s Bridal will unlock their doors and begin seeing clients today by appointment only. Winton is excited to be open as they celebrate their boutique’s third birthday. They officially opened their doors on May 3rd, 2017.
History of Kathleen’s Bridal
Winton founded Kathleen’s Bridal with her mother Loree Spencer, fulfilling a lifelong dream of having a shop in historic downtown.
Winton’s father Don Spencer, Jr. has deep roots in Madison; His grandmother owned Madison’s first dress shop called Barbara’s, located in downtown Madison for three decades.
Winton and Spencer have extensive experience in the wedding industry, so they decided several years ago that opening a bridal shop was the best fit. They would be able to combine their passion for beautiful garments with their experience in the wedding industry.
“I knew that we wanted our boutique to be located in downtown Madison because of our city’s history and roots,” explains Winton.
Winton says that she cannot wait to interact with customers again and that she truly loves what she does.
“Because of the nature of our business, we can’t exactly sell dresses curbside or gowns to-go, so I’m just ready to get back to doing something that I truly love to do. I am blessed to do what I do.”
Kathleen’s Bridal is geared towards customer service and ensures that the boutique will be sanitized between each appointment.
They pride themselves on being a full-service salon, offering not only bridal gowns, but also bridesmaids dresses, mother of the bride dresses, flower girl attire, men’s formalwear (for rent or purchase), accessories, and much more.
Kathleen’s Bridal carries 12 designers within their store, with bridal gowns starting at $585.
The next time you drive by Kathleen’s Bridal, make a point to glance in the window. You will notice Winton’s maternal grandmother’s wedding gown on display. It was handmade by Winton’s maternal great-grandmother, Kathleen. She made it in less than one hour without any kind of pattern.
Winton adores having it on display in the window.
Kathleen’s Bridal is located at 14 Main Street, Suite D. To make an appointment, please call 256-216-4078 or fill out their online appointment request form.
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