New Business: Say “I Do” Bridal Boutique

Last August, as summer was winding down, a new business venture started for Adrienne Castellano, a Verona resident for the past 20 years. Say “I Do” Bridal Boutique in Caldwell found a new owner and it’s been a rewarding experience for both Castellano and the store ever since. Bringing in new lines of wedding dresses and updating the selections for the mother of the bride and mother of the groom has helped Castellano create an inventory that is unique compared to other stores in the area. The reward for Castellano is that she always sees new faces and it’s a happy time for her customers.

How did Castellano come to own the store? It was a case of being in the right place at the right time and pursuing the right opportunity. The previous owners were considering closing the store. Castellano, who had been working there as a seamstress for three years, loved the customer interaction and couldn’t fathom a closing. This was her opportunity, and while she’s busier than she’s ever been, there are no regrets.  Her industry knowledge and work with brides made this new venture a perfect fit.  Her favorite part of owning a bridal shop? “Dress buying trips in New York, and the stories people share with me.”

 However, her talents reside not only in the bridal world.  Some of you may remember Castellano from the Yum Yum Cooking class she taught for several years at the Verona Community Center where children learned how to cook foods ranging from chicken dishes to the infamous ice cream sandwich cake.

Back to dresses. The walls of the boutique are lined with all the latest dress styles available; enough to make a prospective customer want to put one on they minute they walk in the door. While Castellano fielded a reporter’s questions, she also worked with a bride, Gina, who was in for her first fitting. As Castellano attached adornments and accessories, the bride said several times, “Yay! I love my dress.” Every bride should feel that way and Castellano, along with her husband who originally made the sale while she was on a business trip, is there to help make that happen.

Although the store name focuses on weddings, there are also dresses available for First Holy Communion, Prom, Eighth grade formals, and flower girls. With prom season not far away, she has a full line of Dave & Johnny designs with basic sizes in the store. Most of these dresses only take two to three days to arrive once ordered, compared to the six to 12 weeks for wedding and mother-of-the bride dresses. Some new additions to the store’s inventory are baptism gowns and tuxedo rentals for weddings and proms. If you’re looking for something very original, there is a unique service offered at Say “I Do;” Castellano puts her seamstress experience to work by giving new life to wedding dresses and making them into baptism gowns.

Say “I Do” Bridal Boutique is located at 382 Bloomfield Avenue next to Jack’s IGA Foodtown and across the street from the Ringside Pub. The dress collection and selection range from classic to contemporary, including what Castellano describes as the “2012 year of embellishments and flowers.” If you’re in a pinch for timing, there is an inventory of wedding dresses, mother’s dresses, and prom dresses that are available for immediate purchase.

Say “I Do” is open from Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and open late on Thursdays until 7 p.m. Additional hours are available by appointment; just call 973-227-7722. The store offers alterations on all of its products for an additional cost as well as wedding gown preservation.