understanding of what “ the dress ” means . The gown she wore was a vintage 1949 wedding dress worn by her grandmother , who had passed on . Balash ’ s mother creatively altered it by adding length and making it work for her , so that the dress was like a story woven between three generations .
The idea for Bridal Maven was something that had been brewing in the back of Balash ’ s mind for years . After the birth of her second daughter in February 2020 , everything shut down , including the bridal salon she was working for at the time .
Balash describes this time of her life as her “ de facto extended maternity leave .” But the extra time gave her a chance to really think about her dream of opening a salon , and just how she would go about it .
After returning to work , she told her boss she was planning to leave to open her own place . Her boss wasn ’ t angry or even terribly surprised . She knew this was something Balash had wanted to do for a long time , and was incredibly supportive .
Bridal Maven is situated in the heart of Dormont on Potomac Avenue by the Hollywood Theater and opens in October . The area currently has four or five other salons already . So at first glance , it may seem like a strange choice to be near the competition . But Balash chose it for that reason .
“ It ’ s a bridal destination . And we all offer something different ,” she explains . Brides from other areas of Pittsburgh or from other cities have a unique opportunity to shop at several different salons , all within close proximity .
Balash ’ s “ something different ” is defined by resale gowns that range in price from $ 350 to $ 5,000 , with most priced at $ 1,500 and under . In most salons , the prices start around $ 1,500 .
When asked why she chose to offer resale designer gowns after having worked in some of the most high-end luxury salons in New York , she says , “ I always vibed more with the bride who gets sticker shock ; they always seemed to have more of a kinship with myself — and frankly , there ’ s not a lot of options out there for brides who need a dress for $ 1,000 or less . I ’ m very respectful of budgets .”
She describes her types of clients as “ Bridechillas ” rather than “ Bridezillas ,” adding , “ Our brides are a little more relaxed .”
Balash notes that it generally takes six to nine months to receive a wedding dress when ordered at a conventional salon .
At Bridal Maven , clients can try on the exact dress that they are getting , and Balash has a list of alteration specialists she can recommend based on the where the brides live and their budget .
Just because they ’ re less expensive doesn ’ t mean the dresses are compromised in quality however . Balash maintains a certain standard for the dresses , in that they had to have a price of at least $ 700 originally and they must be in mint condition . Some still have the tags on them and have never been worn .
Many women have had to postpone their wedding four or five times in the last couple of years , and have wound up having a much smaller , low-key affair . Others are not able to fit into their dresses any longer . So there are perfectly beautiful designer wedding dresses out there in need of a bride . Another thing that ’ s important to Balash is giving her clients the “ bridal experience .” Though Bridal Maven is a resale shop , it ’ s not a stereotypical resale experience . To ensure that she can give brides the expertise they deserve , all visits are by appointment only . Through one-on-one time , Balash is able to find out exactly how the bride wants to see herself on the big day .
One bride had purchased a dress for her wedding that had to be postponed several times . In the meantime , her sister had passed away . When the time came for her wedding , she decided that she no longer liked the dress she had bought . Balash was able to help find something that reflected her personality and emotion . The bride was so grateful that she gave Balash a little Wonder Woman pin , in memory of her sister who loved the comics . She attached a little note that read , “ Thank you for making magic .” Balash was deeply touched by the gesture .
Bridal Maven is a small family business that fits in with the interesting shops , boutiques and eateries on Potomac Avenue . Balash also lives in Dormont , and helps give back to the community by pledging 10 percent of her profits to local causes such as Neighbor HQ , which helps refugees to resettle , and the Dormont Community Garden , where she recently sponsored a rain barrel project .
To make an appointment at Bridal Maven , visit bridalmavenpgh . com . ■
PETERS TOWNSHIP ❘ OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021 43