Hurricane Ida impacted almost everyone in southeast Louisiana. (Kelly here) As someone with friends getting married very soon, I know that the closure of not only New Orleans and surrounding areas, but also of local bridal boutiques has hit brides especially hard. These boutiques house the dream dresses of many local brides and seeing them opening back up, we’re sure, made the must-have list for after the storm for many. Additionally, several bridal boutiques are doing their part to help the community with donations going to different relief funds for Hurricane Ida.
First, unfortunately, one Metairie boutique is not open just yet. The Bridal Boutique by MaeMe on Severn Avenue experienced some damage in the store and will need to undergo repairs and a minor renovation. While that is underway, the boutique has released its three-month plan to ensure all brides receive their dresses and accept new deliveries.
Released on the boutique’s Instagram page, the store representatives said:
It’s been almost 2 weeks since our region was changed forever. ❤ We’ve had power restored at the boutique now for 3 days with more than half of our staff still displaced from their homes. We were able to relocate ALL of our brides’ dresses to a second story, air-conditioned building during the storm, and they have all been inspected and are in perfect condition! 🙌 After having a few days to assess the damages to our building, we have established our three-month plan!
Here is our plan: We will continue to pay ALL staff at 100% until we fully reopen. We have temporarily leased a space across the street from MaeMe where we will set up shop to accommodate brides picking up their merchandise and accept new deliveries, while our beautiful MaeMe space is undergoing repairs and a minor renovation! We have contacted all brides individually to let them know we have their dress and have already begun the process of getting dresses to brides with soon wedding dates! We will be booking NEW bridal appointments starting in December, or sooner! 🙏 👰 We will continue to volunteer and contribute to our community as we are all doing our best to pull together after such a devastating storm. Our hearts go out to our river parish and bayou parish brides and families!
As always, thank you for your continued support! We love what we do, we love our customers, and we plan to return stronger than ever! It may take a few days to switch over our phone service and establish reliable internet. If you need assistance immediately or have any questions, please contact us via email at hello@maemebridal.com or call or text our boutique cell phone at 504.427.8718.
After not having water or electricity, Town & Country Bridal on St. Charles Avenue is now open. Owner Mandy Wienhusen posted on the store’s Instagram page that she personally went to check all of the gowns in-store for current brides and there were no damaged gowns. The store is accepting appointments, and anyone interested can book online here or call the store at 504-523-7027.
Town & Country’s Metairie sister store Linen Jolie Bridal re-opened Monday, Sept. 13. The boutique’s phones are still down, but to inquire about appointments or ask questions email love@linenjoliebridal.com for quickest response. Additional appointments can be booked online here.
Both I Do Bridal Couture locations in Baton Rouge and Covington have been open for a few days reopening Sept. 7 and 8 respectively. The boutiques have also announced that in the month of September, 10 percent of all new gown purchases will go to Hurricane Ida relief. Brides interested can request an appointment online here.
Bliss Bridal New Orleans reopened on Sept. 10 and ready to greet new brides. Those interested can request an appointment online here. The boutique’s owner Katie also announced on the store’s social media accounts that Bliss is coordinating with Amanda Price Events to collect supplies for those severely impacted by Hurricane Ida. The boutique is collecting cans, can openers, toiletries, water, diapers, baby food and anything you could think of that would help. You can deliver the supplies to the New Orleans location, and they will be sent to those in need.
Wedding Belles New Orleans is set to reopen Tuesday, Sept. 14. Those interested in booking an appointment can call the store at 504-891-1005 or book online here. Like Bliss, Wedding Belles is looking for a way for us all to give back. Announced on the boutique’s Instagram account, for every bridesmaids dress purchased in the month of September, $20 will be donated to bayoufund.org. If you don’t need a bridesmaid dress, those interested in donating can and then send a screenshot of their donation to Wedding Belles and receive a cute “lagniappe” bag from Wedding Belles.
Those looking for other ways to help can read LTEC editor Melanie Spencer’s “Bon Vivant” blog from last week. She adds a handful of ways to help those brutally impacted by Ida.
