There’s a mystical, magical place in a historic section of Cincinnati that beckons to brides and bridal parties from all over the nation. It’s overflowing with breathtaking gowns, show-stopping photographers, and swoon-worthy offices where designers concoct amazing ambiance for weddings of all kinds; you’re thinking of the Reading Bridal District.
Have you heard of it? For anyone in the wedding industry, this bridal district is considered the center of wedding and event shopping. And for brides, a visit to Reading Bridal District can be the highlight of your wedding planning experience. Why is this, what are the not-to-be-missed shops, and what advice is out there for first-timers? What are you waiting for? Read on!
When starting to plan your visit to Cincinnati bridal shops, it’s best to start on a firm foundation. One of our favorite ways to gain that is to ask around for firsthand feedback, reviews, and referrals.
Do you know anyone who has been to the Reading bridal stores whose opinions you value? Ask around! Where and when did they visit? Did they learn anything that they can pass on to you that might make your visit more pleasant?
Alternatively, you can do your research online. By searching “bridal row Cincinnati” and “Cincinnati bridal district” you’ll get access to the Reading Bridal District website, where you can check out the establishments that make up this dreamy district. (You can also just read on or scroll down to see some of our faves!)
Photographer: BLYSK Photography
We always encourage brides to make appointments when they visit Reading bridal stores. Not only do many shops require appointments, but having appointments means that you can provide the bridal stylists with information on your preferences to help them prepare for your visit. That way, you’ll ensure you have your own bridal stylist and an available appointment time. You’ll also have more time and attention spent with the gowns themselves - trying them on, checking out different styles, and seeing how they feel and look.
To make an appointment, reach out to your top choices for shops. You can book online, email or call, and select a time that allows you to arrive at the bridal district in Cincinnati without needing to rush. We advise brides to try to make an appointment for a weekday. Weekend days are busier, more difficult to find parking or places to take lunch and snack breaks, and will likely feel more relaxed. Make sure you are shopping for your gown about a year before your wedding day date!
When you make your appointment, you can run through any advice or store-specific policies the shop may have, and the stylists may ask you several questions to help their team prepare for your visit. Don’t forget to alert the stylists to any special needs your group may have in terms of accessibility restrictions, guest limit or anything else along those lines.
Another tip? Be sure to plan time between appointments for breaks - grab a coffee, have a snack, relax and laugh a little - the day should be fun and not rushed, and you’ll always have a better time if you plan for some breaks, stay hydrated, and take time for yourself and your besties.
One question we hear frequently is, “what should I wear when I go wedding dress shopping?” The answer is actually pretty simple. Wear whatever’s most comfortable for you to change into and out of frequently! We recommend a simple t-shirt dress or something stretchy that you don’t need to fuss with too much.
For shoes, plan to wear something comfortable. You’ll likely be doing a lot of walking, as the Reading Bridal District is a walkable area, and you won’t want to be rubbing sore feet for hours afterward.
If you think you’ll be wearing heels for the big day, it’s not a bad idea to bring a pair along that’s roughly the same height as the ones you imagine. That way, you can get a better sense of the way the dress might fit and look as it drapes gorgeously.
Another etiquette item is regarding the picture policy that salons may opt to have. Some salons do not allow pictures to be taken of dresses unless the dress is being purchased. To show good etiquette, always ask before taking pictures.
Another tip to prepare for a successful dress shop visit - do your research about gowns. Check out some of the most popular silhouettes, such as ball gown, A-line, trumpet, mermaid, and sheath gowns. Are there any that you really love? Do you know that you want something loose that will allow you to relax and groove on the dance floor? Or is something more structured and hip-hugging more up your alley?
As you learn your preferences, it doesn’t hurt to save photos of your favorites, or send them prior to your appointment. Knowing what you like and what you don’t will help your stylist select the very best dresses for your tastes and preferences. At Blush Bridal salon, we seek to provide dresses that show off your personality and your uniqueness and understanding where to start gives our stylists a great foundation for our appointment.
Photographer: The Citrus Collection
When you think about who you want to come with on your visit to the Reading bridal district, you may think to include your mom, your future mother-in-law, your sisters and future sisters-in-law, your best friend, your five other best friends, your aunt, your grandma, her best friend…. And on and on and on. How should you choose?
First, be sure to know how many people are allowed to attend, as some stores restrict group size. Once you know how many you can have along with you, we invite you to consider whose opinions you really desire. After all, the more people you have, the more opinions you’re bound to receive. Some of those opinions may be really valuable, but we invite you to select wisely - trying on wedding gowns can feel emotional at times, and you may want to be surrounded by people who will be sure to lift you up and who remind you that your opinion is the one that matters the most!
When it’s time to head out to go shopping, be sure you’re stocked with water and snacks. Nothing can put a damper on an exciting experience like a grumbling tummy, and keeping your spirits up is important for an enjoyable time.
Photographer: The Citrus Collection
This outlet offers items that are curated from top designers and offered at 30-60% off, as they’re overstock or actual original designer gowns. With gowns in sizes 2-32 with an average price tag of $999 per gown, Blue Bridal has something for everyone. The styles at Blue are incredibly different, so saying YES to a gown here is very likely!
Blush Bridal Cincinnati is an exclusive boutique featuring wedding dress designers such as Madi Lane, Justin Alexander Bridal, Lillian West, and Sophia Tolli. The professional staff at Blush Bridal Boutique believes that every bride deserves a one-of-a-kind, personalized shopping experience and will work to inspire you with their curated gowns.
BoChic Bridal Boutique
A women-owned and women-run bohemian-chic shop in the Reading Bridal District, BoChic Bridal Boutique is a warm, by-appointment-only store. You can expect to try on $1,200 - $3,000 gowns that are hand-selected right off the runway.
Would you believe that this bridal shop was started in 1969 as a family store with only two employees? Now, they have grown to carry over 25 bridal collections and 20 bridesmaid collections, making it among the largest bridal shops in Ohio! That’s quite a success story!
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Dedicated to expanding the women’s formalwear industry to include new styles and evolving tastes, Carrie Karibo brought her experience as a Fashion Director with Lane Bryant and in the modeling industry to her own bridal boutique. When you visit Carrie Karibo Bridal, expect attentive care and out-of-the-box styles.
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With 35+ years of formalwear experience, owner Jayson Patrice is confident in his ability to dress grooms and groomsmen of all types and preferences. Whether your gentlemen are present with you or plan to order by phone, the GENO’S team can help your crew get suited up.
If mother-of-the-bride dresses have been causing stress to you or the mothers in your life, The Queen’s Lace is there to help. This chic and comfortable store caters to mothers of all shapes, sizes, and style interests so that they can feel beautiful on such a celebratory occasion.
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With its fresh and modern storefront in the Reading Bridal District of Cincinnati, owners Kelly and Allen Hill have been celebrating brides since 2011. Visits to this designer dress shop in Ohio are described as comfortable, friendly, and approachable, and no high-pressure sales tactics are used by the stylists, making it especially welcoming.
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Specializing in sizes 16 through 32, Love Curvy Bridal celebrates larger women with its size-inclusive offerings. With expert stylists and thoughtful selections at this Reading bridal outlet, a visit to this shop will be comfortable, welcoming, and leave you smiling
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With its array of designer sample gowns, Luxe Redux allows brides to purchase exquisite dresses off the rack to take home the same day, saving you big on your budget and allowing ample time for any alterations that may be needed. Be sure to check out their website as well - the team updates their inventory and sorts it by price, even offering a selection of dresses for under $500!
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This shop is an exciting new addition to the Reading Bridal District. With an expansive selection of sample gowns for under $1000, and a constantly-changing inventory, this Cincinnati bridal outlet is definitely not-to-be-missed.
We love that White Wisteria is an inclusive women-owned boutique that highlights the importance of fostering confidence for all brides. With 400+ gowns from 10 top designers and a staff of expert stylists, a visit to White Wisteria is sure to leave you feeling beautiful, inside and out.
This long-standing bridal district Cincinnati staple is located in a historic building right in the middle of the excitement, yet its timeless appeal keeps its inventory fresh for brides of all shapes and styles. With lots of bridesmaid dresses to check out, it’s a great place to go with your bridal party!
Photographer: BLYSK Photography
Although no matter where you are, you can always search “bridal shops near me” to see what’s nearby for bridal stores, we think there’s something incredibly thrilling and memorable about traveling to a wedding district for your shopping experience. With so much expertise and skill in such high concentration, so many different shops to visit, and so much excitement and passion for amazing events, it’s a great place to get inspired.
We hope you enjoyed this guide to the bridal store shopping experiences possible in the bridal district Cincinnati Ohio. As you can see from the list above and from the Reading Bridal District website, there’s a lot to take in. So whether you opt to make appointments at just a few shops or spend a few days enjoying all of what the Cincinnati bridal district has to offer, we encourage you to spend a little time preparing, doing some research to learn your preferences, and we at Blush wedding shop look forward to your visit!
See you soon, babes!
