Whether it’s your career, your partner, or your wedding gown, when you find "the one," you just know. In 2016, Peggie Donowitz was just as sure that her longtime profession wasn’t the one for her: She dreamed of working in retail, in a space that allowed her creative side to shine. A part-time position in a bridal boutique helped her fine-tune the specifics. “I fell in love with the idea of helping someone to feel beautiful, and helping them turn the vision they had for their wedding day into a reality,” she says.
Donowitz opened The One Bridal Salon in Charlottesville, Virginia, bringing that same perfect-fit-focus to wedding gown shopping—and choosing a name that refers to both the dream dress and the try-on experience. “Not only is it about finding 'the one,' but it has become the paradigm for our business model,” she says. “We focus on just one person—the bride; we sell only bridal gowns and accessories; we have just one appointment at time, so the bride has our undivided attention; and we are there to walk along beside her through the process.”
We focus on just one person—the bride; we sell only bridal gowns and accessories; we have just one appointment at time, so the bride has our undivided attention; and we are there to walk along beside her through the process.
Peggie brought her former boutique boss, Kelsey Lessick, along to her new endeavor: a cozy, light-filled shop stocking racks of gowns from notable designers, including Caroline Castigliano, Pronovias, House of Savin, and Jenny Yoo Bridal, alongside budget-friendly and plus-size options. Donowitz and Lessick pull gowns for their clients based on the personalized vision each bride describes, adding veils, headpieces, and jewelry. “Although it is important to bring a few friends and family members whose opinions you value and trust, I recommend bringing an open mind, good communication skills, and some trust in your consultant,” says Donowitz. “But the open mind is the most important."
Though she has been matching glowing brides with their dream dresses for nearly a decade, Donowitz knew from the start that she had found her own perfect fit in a bridal career. “I would have been content to close up shop after the very first dress sale,” she says. “I had proved to myself that I could do it, and I did, and every dress sale since then has been simply icing on the cake.”
Details
Years in Business: 8
Number of Designers: 7
Size Range Available: 8-24
Appointment Type: By appointment, with the entire salon exclusively devoted to your group
Number of Guests: Unlimited
Appointment Length: 90 minutes
Average Dress Cost: $2,500 to $5,000
Additional Offerings: Veils and accessories like headpieces and jewelry
Designers Available at The One Bridal Salon
- Caroline Castigliano
- Evie Young
- House of Savin
- Jenny Yoo Bridal
- Mikaella
- Paloma Blanca
- Pronovias
Upcomg Events
The One Bridal Salon is hosting the following events over the next few months. Please check back for more and/or confirm these dates with the salon.
- September 12-22: Caroline Castigliano Trunk Show
