Wedding & Make Up Studio. Nowy biznes w mie?cie

Wedding & Make Up Studio. Nowy biznes w mie?cie

of women want to feel like a princess on their wedding day. But that doesn't mean they want to look like one in a fit-for-a-fairytale gown with sweep train and lots of sparkle.

When Erin Szymanski helped her friends hunt for their wedding dresses, most of what she saw fit this description. That was still true when it was her turn to walk down the aisle.

"It just felt like it was not my style."

She wanted something less traditional and a little bit simpler, so she ended up buying her wedding dress online.

"I thought I couldn't be the only person who felt that way," she says.

Photo: black bridesmaid dresses

In June 2013, Ms. Szymanski, 34, of Aliquippa opened Glitter & Grit bridal boutique on Butler Street in Upper Lawrenceville. The shop specializes in wedding dresses and accessories by a mix of independent, eco-friendly and American-made designer labels.

"I knew that I wanted to be in Lawrenceville," she says. "I felt that the business community is so collaborative, and everyone wants each other to succeed."

She credits this camaraderie for helping her spread the word of her business and build a clientele. Nearby restaurants, passing traffic and talk of her business on social media have been other client draws.

She meets with brides-to-be by appointment and sees about 100-120 of them per month. Most are from Pittsburgh and the tri-state region, although she's had some women with local ties travel to her from other parts of the country because they're planning to hold their ceremonies here.

Typically, the Glitter & Grit bride isn't the woman who grew up dreaming about her wedding day.

"I feel they're a little bit outside of their comfort zone in planning a wedding so they don't have anything specific in mind," Ms. Szymanski says. "They just know they don't want the traditional wedding dress."

She caters to them with more streamlined silhouettes as well as options with color. She also maintains a steady schedule of trunk shows featuring both established designers like Nicole Miller and up-and-coming ones who are testing the market. On average, dresses go for $1,600-$2,500.

Early on, she had to seek out the designers she carried. Now some brands are starting to approach her. She worked nearly a dozen years in retail and eight years as an accountant. She hopes these skills and the support of the Lawrenceville community will mean success for Glitter & Grit for years to come.

"I might sort of decide to make a second location and have specific styles at different stores, or maybe I'll just keep doing this and see where it goes," she says. "I'm very open to whatever may happen."

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