| Get to Know Us
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Wedding Shoppe Inc. has been making dreams come true since 1977. Located on Grand Avenue in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Wedding Shoppe Inc. has grown to become one of the largest individual bridal salons in the country. We attribute our continuous growth and success to our thousands of satisfied brides and grooms, who have kindly shared their great experiences at Wedding Shoppe Inc. with their family and friends.
Engaged couples who want superior customer service, reliability, and the best prices trust Wedding Shoppe Inc. We invite you to come see for yourself the many reasons why we have received numerous local and national awards, including the highest lifetime achievement award given in the entire bridal industry: Outstanding Retailer of the Year, awarded by The National Bridal Market Association. |
| The In-Store Experience
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Once you are inside Wedding Shoppe Inc, you will discover thousands of designer bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses, flower girl dresses, mother of the bride/groom dresses, tuxedos, wedding gifts, wedding accessories, and much more!
Our selection of bridal gowns is truly unmatched. We carry a majority of the most well-known bridal designers, as well as a number of exclusive brands, only available at Wedding Shoppe Inc.
At various times throughout the year, our Wedding Shoppe Inc. customers get the exclusive opportunity to view and purchase bridal gowns that are not available to any other brides in Minnesota (and, sometimes, the country!). This is a benefit of Wedding Shoppe Inc.'s close relationships with our designers, who grant us the amazing opportunity to test-market their latest bridal lines.
Many of our designers are available to view and purchase on our website, but a few select brands are exclusively available in-store.
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| The Online Experience
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In 2009, we launched our fully interactive e-commerce website to meet the needs of the modern bride, who prefers having multiple ways to shop to fulfill all of her wedding needs.
Our website features more than 10,000 designer bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses, flower girl dresses, mothers dresses, other bridal party apparel, special occasion dresses, wedding favors & gifts, and wedding accessories.
Our online bridal store offers brides the convenience of shopping from home, with the comforting knowledge that they are ordering from a reputable bridal salon.
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Our Awards
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Outstanding Retailer
of the Year
National Bridal Market Assn.
2006
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Best on a Budget
Best Of Weddings
The Knot
2008, 2009
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Best Place to Buy
Bridal Gowns
MN Bride Magazine
2006, 2008, 2009, 2010
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Best Place to Buy
Attendant Dresses & Accessories
MN Bride Magazine
2006, 2007, 2008
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Best Bridal
Best of CitySearch
2005, 2007
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| Our History
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Our story begins in the late 1970s, when Jim Fritz was playing in a local band. Jim often performed at weddings, and because he was in the "wedding business," guests often asked him for recommendations on everything: where to find bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses, wedding tuxedos, bridal accessories, wedding gifts, and other wedding-related services.
In the late 1970s, wedding retailers were, for the most part, very narrowly specialized, forcing brides and grooms to shop at countless different specialty shops in order to fulfill all of their wedding needs. This got Jim to thinking: "Wouldn't it be nice if there were a one stop wedding shop?"
And so begins the timeline of Wedding Shoppe Inc., "Your One Stop Wedding Shoppe!"
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1977
Jim and Lois Fritz open Wedding Shoppe Inc. on Grand Avenue, in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Grand Avenue is famous for its mom-and-pop specialty shops, many of which, including Wedding Shoppe Inc, are located in Victorian-style houses, built in the early 1900's. This gives the Grand Avenue neighborhood charm and character: the perfect atmosphere for a wedding shop.
Hoping to create an establishment that fostered this charming atmosphere, while offering the service and customer-attention of a mom-and-pop store and providing all of the merchandise and services needed for a wedding event of any size, Wedding Shoppe Inc. was born. It featured bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses, tuxedo rentals, wedding favors gifts, wedding party accessories, reception accessories, as well as catering & floral services, all in one building.
1980
Wedding Shoppe Inc. has always received the majority of our business by way of referrals from our satisfied customers. As these referrals increased, so did the size of the business. Thus, Jim and Lois Fritz expanded the original building, doubling the size of the retail store, in order to accommodate the ever-increasing number of guests visiting Wedding Shoppe Inc.
1985
To create more space for dress-fitting consultations and dress alterations, a separate custom fitting building is opened, at 1201 Grand Avenue, directly across the Avenue from the main retail store.
1990
The size of the alterations building, at 1201 Grand Avenue, is doubled, increasing work space and dress storage.
1991
With more and more satisfied brides, and a general increase in business, the corporate office is opened at 1197 Grand Avenue, to provide our guests with a superior customer service center.
Unlike many bridal salons, Wedding Shoppe Inc. provides brides with employees who have had specialized training. Our customer service team's sole responsibility is to track your order, from start to finish, and to answer any questions that you may have during the process.
1995
Wedding Shoppe Inc. continues to expand, purchasing the address at 1192 Grand Avenue, and connecting it to the original retail store location, at 1196 Grand Avenue. Again, this doubles the Shoppe's size, to accommodate the ever-increasing number of guests, and allowing for the expansion of our already-vast selection of dresses.
1999
Wedding Shoppe Inc. decides to focus more specifically on wedding apparel and accessories, and chooses to discontinue their catering and floral services.
2000
The first-generation Wedding Shoppe Inc. website is launched, providing brides with basic information and history about our bridal salon.
2001
Over the years, Wedding Shoppe Inc. has built strong relationships with the designers of our dresses. In 2001, our buyers begin working with the designers to bring brides exclusive collections and styles that are not available in any other salons in the country.
2005
Wedding Shoppe Inc. is voted Best Bridal Store in the Best of CitySearch open voting poll.
2006
Wedding Shoppe Inc. wins the Outstanding Retailer of the Year award from the National Bridal Market Association. This award is voted upon by the gown designers, and is the highest honor in the bridal industry.
Throughout 2006, Wedding Shoppe Inc. continues to win local and national awards, including: Best of Weddings by The Knot; Best Place to Buy Bridal Gowns and Accessories by MN Bride Magazine; and Best Bridal by CitySearch.
2007
Wedding Shoppe Inc. reaches 50 employees and is named Best Place to Buy Attendant Dresses and Accessories by MN Bride Magazine, which receives votes from readers both online and by mail.
Wedding Shoppe Inc. is again named Best Bridal by CitySearch.
2008
Wedding Shoppe Inc. is named Best on a Budget from Best of Weddings by The Knot, which receives votes from more than 20,000 brides, who review and rate their wedding professionals.
Wedding Shoppe Inc. is also named Best Place to Buy Bridal Gowns and Best Place to Buy Attendant Dresses and Accessories by MN Bride Magazine.
2009
To provide brides around the world with the same excellent service and selection as our brides in the Twin Cities metro area, Wedding Shoppe Inc. launches our full-service e-commerce and wedding planning website.
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