An impressive collection of designer bridal gowns can be found in Joan Pillow’s Atlanta and Houston bridal salons. When it comes to finding the wedding dress you’ve always dreamed of since you first read Cinderella, you know the one, the dress that will make you feel like the princess every woman imagines herself to be on her wedding day, Joan Pillow is the place to visit. This stylish bridal boutique is all about luxurious appointments and showcases gowns from the most in-demand bridal designers in the industry, including Monique Lhuillier, Oscar de la Renta, Jenny Lee, Marchesa, Romona Keveza and Vera Wang, amongst others.

There are a quite a few things you need to know before heading out to find your dream dress, so it made sense to ask some pertinent questions of the queen of Southern bridal boutiques… Introducing, the incredible Joan Pillow.

{THE BRIDAL CIRCLE}:  WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS YOU TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN SELECTING BRIDAL DESIGNERS TO CARRY IN YOUR STORES?

{Joan Pillow}:  I look for quality and style that is simply the best.  We cater to a discerning bride and we know she wants the utmost in fabric, detail and design.

{TBC}:  NAME YOUR THREE FAVORITE BRIDAL DESIGNERS, AND WHY?

{Joan Pillow}: This is a tough question as we are wowed by the creations of all the designers we feature.  With that said, Monique Lhuillier is a definite favorite.  With her collections, she has turned tradition into contemporary. Romona Keveza is also at the top of the list as she offers quality and fashion with her Couture and Legends collections. Anna Maier Ulla Maija is another standout as her collections offer the closest option to a custom order gown.  There are 16 measurements taken of the bride when ordering this gown.

{TBC}:  HOW DO YOU HANDLE A BRIDE, WHICH HAS NO IDEA WHAT SHE WANTS IN A WEDDING DRESS?

{Joan Pillow}:  I love working with brides who have not locked into a style before they step into the boutique and always encourage them to be open to a wide array of options.  I suggest that we try a variety of styles and then, together, we can zero in on the one that she looks and feels the best in and loves the most.

{TBC}:  WHAT CAN A BRIDE EXPECT WHEN SHE WALKS INTO A JOAN PILLOW BRIDAL BOUTIQUE? 

{Joan Pillow}: Simply the finest.  The collections we carry,  the top-notch service our team offers and our premier locations in both the Atlanta and Houston markets are unparalleled.

{TBC}:  WHAT SHOULD A BRIDE LOOK FOR WHEN SELECTING A BRIDAL BOUTIQUE TO WORK WITH?

{Joan Pillow}:  Selection, reputation and knowledgeable staff are key.  Choosing the gown the bride will wear on one of the most important days of her life is a major part of the wedding planning process.  This should be an extraordinary experience and the bride should “click” with the team who is a part of this special moment.

{TBC}:  WHAT ARE THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS A BRIDE SHOULD KNOW WHEN SELECTING A BRIDAL BOUTIQUE?

{Joan Pillow}:  What designers they carry, the average price point of the gowns and how they feel when making their initial contact by phone.

{TBC}:  WHAT HAPPENS IF A BRIDE ASK FOR A PARTICULAR DESIGNER THAT YOU DON’T CARRY IN YOUR BOUTIQUE?

{Joan Pillow}:  We have knowledgeable team members who generally are aware of what stores carry which designers in our area. If we do not know, we offer to go online and search for that designer to assist the customer.  We then contact the store to verify and refer the customer to them.

{TBC}:  WHAT IS YOUR EMERGENCY PLAN FOR A DRESS THAT COMES IN WRONG, OR ARRIVES LATE?

{Joan Pillow}:  We have strong relationships with our vendors and are able to return the gown for them to correct.  If a gown comes in close to the wedding date, we will work through the night to alter it.  We always ensure our brides’ needs are met and that they walk down the aisle just as they envisioned.

{TBC}:  WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON TRENDS?

{Joan Pillow}:  It’s a fact that trends will always come and go.  I feel that the majority of today’s high-end bridal collections offer timeless gowns.  Our team believes that elegance is ageless.  When a bride wants to follow one of the latest trends, we encourage her to do so in a subtle way – perhaps by adding a touch of color or a fabulous belt to accent her classic look.  Bottom line is that we want our brides to love their look when they walk down the aisle as well as when they glance back at photos 10 years from now.

{TBC}:  WHAT TRENDS CAN WE EXPECT TO SEE IN 2013?

{Joan Pillow}:  Trending in 2013 will be peplums, ball gowns and a strong focus on the shoulder.

{TBC}:  WHO SHOULD A BRIDE BRING WITH HER WHEN SHE COMES TO THE BRIDAL BOUTIQUE?

{Joan Pillow}:  My feeling is less is best.  Our customers who have the happiest experiences generally are joined by their Mother and possibly her maid or matron of honor.  I do not recommend that a bride bring along her entire bridal party.  A larger crowd often leads to an overabundance of opinions that, unfortunately, leaves the bride with confusion.

{TBC}:  WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A NEWLY ENGAGED BRIDE ABOUT HOW TO BEGIN HER GOWN SELECTION JOURNEY?

{Joan Pillow}:  It’s an exciting time – don’t forget to enjoy it! To avoid becoming overwhelmed, I encourage newly engaged brides to take a look at some bridal magazines and then browse online to familiarize herself with the collections by designer.  During the initial search, I recommend she stay open to all styles and allow herself to gravitate toward gowns she is naturally drawn.  It’s important she start her search early because her gown will set the tone for the entire wedding.

For more information on Joan Pillow, A Bridal Salon, we invite you to visit their Creative Partner Profile.