“A wedding dress is the single most memorable clothing purchase in a woman’s life.”

That’s Stephanie Becraft talking. She believes that particular purchase should be made in a setting of beauty, serenity, and celebration. If such place can be located in a historic building in a classic downtown setting, all the better.

With Love Bridal Boutique is new to downtown Elmira. An entire wall of historic bricks, high ceilings, hardwood floors, and sun-drenched storefront windows evoke a sense of old world commerce, when the customer experience reigned supreme. Stephanie really had her heart set on a downtown location.

“I feel like we are contributing to the growth of Elmira and, as a native of here, that is important to me.” She is hoping more businesses will soon occupy the spaces that neighbor her store, so folks can visit several shops on a single trip.

The space did not look so good when she first leased it. “There was plywood on the walls, no bathroom, no closet,” she says. “It was a mess. My husband and father-in-law did a ton of work. I am so glad we kept the bricks we found behind the wall.

“I wanted a warm setting, like an old Victorian home you are visiting as a guest,” Stephanie continues. She’s succeeded. The shop, open since May, is furnished with vintage pieces with classic design. There are antique chairs near the front, as every visit begins with conversation. A long bar with stools and a refrigerator gives bridal parties a place to relax and raise a glass to the bride. Stephanie provides water, soda, and light snacks to keep everyone energized, and customers are allowed to bring in their own wine and champagne.

Next is a seating area surrounding a massive gilded mirror next to a raised platform where brides can model the dresses for family and friends.

“Most brides want people with them for this decision,” Stephanie says. “Anywhere from three to five people. Any more opinions than that and it becomes too much. It complicates it.”

But before a bride steps onto the With Love runway, that important initial conversation takes place. The days of just showing up at the local formal wear shop and waiting for someone to help you are gone. The expectation now is that the visit will be private and meaningful.

“We talk about the bride’s style, what kind of wedding they are planning,” says Stephanie. “The venue, the theme, the flowers, it’s all about the feel they want their day to have. A recent bride is doing a Great Gatsby theme, and it sounded like fun. She chose a slim, flapper type gown with beading.”

Stephanie works full time as a payroll manager in addition to running the store, so business is by appointment only. Brides should plan on each visit being at least ninety minutes long.

“This needs to be an uninterrupted experience,” Stephanie says. During that time, she keeps her attention on the woman of the hour. “I can tell when a bride doesn’t connect with a dress. You can see it. You can also tell when she does. Often she is quiet, she touches the material a lot, stares in the mirror, and her face lights up.” Trying on too many dresses in one visit can be stressful. Stephanie is a fierce protector of the bride’s mood and will softly intervene if she knows a woman is getting overwhelmed.

Of course, families being what they are, Stephanie knows she will have to maneuver some conflicting opinions. “I certainly can’t argue with anyone, but my focus is the bride. How does this dress make her feel? Can she see herself walking down the aisle in it? At the end of the day, that is what matters.” That personal interaction is why Stephanie feels that buying a wedding dress online is a risky proposition.

“You really need to touch it, to wear it, to understand if it is right for you,” she continues. “This is an occasion, a celebration. Getting this dress should be a happy experience.”

Knowing she wanted to offer a higher quality product, Stephanie has selected just three designers to carry at this time. Madi Lane, Sottero and Midgley, and Etoile creations hang on racks behind the seating area. They span styles from traditional ball gowns to more fitted looks. But—it’s the ultimate gasp moment for purists—none of them are white. Not stark, bright white, anyhow. They are cream and ivory and blush, all part of the trend of the bride having her own wedding day panache, including her own color.

“In the last few years, especially since covid, couples see their wedding as a very personal experience for their brand, if you will,” Stephanie says. “You don’t want to suddenly look like someone you’re not on that most important day. It should showcase who you are.”

And that takes planning. Brides are dress shopping more than a year before their nuptials. Ordering time is about four months. While With Love does not have a seamstress in the shop, they have established relationships with two local pros for alterations. Sizes run 0-32, and prices between $1,700 to $3,000, with an average right around $2,200.

The shop’s atmosphere sets the stage for an intimate, personalized visit, and Stephanie’s gentle nature assures a bride that her happiness is the ultimate goal. While the dress is a very important choice for the bride to make, first and most important choice is the person waiting for her at the altar.

With Love Bridal Boutique is located at 126 Lake Street in downtown Elmira. There is on-street parking and a nearby parking garage. The phone number is (607) 526-5236. You can email Stephanie at [email protected], find information at withlovebridalny.com, and follow along on Facebook and Instagram by searching With Love Bridal NY.