What is the most gratifying part of your business?
Watching our brides have the moments with their families that they will cherish for the rest of their lives is the most meaningful and unforgettable part of our business. The fact that our brides allow us to have a part in their bridal experience is the greatest honor—it is truly gratifying and extremely magical to witness. It is so beautiful to watch our brides’ families experience that special moment of seeing their daughters find the gowns of their dreams. As the dad to an 18-year-old daughter, it constantly warms my heart to know that, one day, I am going to be walking her down the aisle. I can't wait to be included in her process of finding her gown.
What are you most passionate about right now?
I am passionate about continuing on the legacy of my late wife, Elena, who was an indescribably momentous part of the bridal industry for more than 30 years. It is always my mission, my purpose and my guiding light, to pass along her high level of experience and expertise to the next generation to come. As a team, we at Ultimate Bride are constantly determined to find the right gowns that best connect with, and inspire, our brides.
What is your proudest achievement?
My proudest achievement, throughout the past six years, has been carrying on the legacy of Elena, with the help of our staff. Every time our brides find their gowns and get to have these once-in-a-lifetime moments with their families, it is an achievement for every member of our team. It is amazing that our brides allow us to be a part of their wedding process, during some of the most meaningful and memorable moments in their lives.
What three words describe your business best?
The three words that best describe our team would be, the Ultimate Bridal Experience. What the Ultimate Bridal Experience means to me, is the great privilege and honor that we have of being a part of our brides’ weddings. Getting to listen to all of the beautiful stories that our brides tell us about this next chapter in their lives is the greatest joy.
What is the best advice for engaged couples?
My advice would be to surround yourself with the most supportive individuals that can help guide you, motivate you and aid you throughout this process. Make sure to do your research with the vendors that you engage with. Choose to work with businesses that are invested in your wedding experience. At Ultimate Bride, it is our unwavering determination to ensure that our brides are treated like family—from the first time they try on a gown, to the day that they walk down the aisle in it.
Who inspires you?
The most inspirational individual that I can think of is my late wife, Elena. She so gracefully carried and broadened the bridal environment in offering the best designers in Chicago, all while maintaining her exclusivity with these designers. She inspires me every single day—the way that she walked, her grace and her determination to make sure that every bride that walked in the store either found her gown here or was educated in what direction she should go in next. She truly loved this industry and she was, and still is, the most inspirational individual to me.
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