Wedding Dress:Dream or Reality

Le Dress Boutique Celebrates Anniversary, Moves to Sandy Springs You don't have to break the bank to get the wedding dress of your dreams, according to Linda Morado, proprietress of Le Dress Boutique, a Sandy Springs business that sells and consigns luxury dresses at substantial discounts. The company recently celebrated its five-year anniversary with a move from Buckhead into a larger retail space in Sandy Springs. Le Dress Boutique's inventory includes fine wedding and evening gowns; party, prom and Mother-of-the-Bride dresses; and vintage jewelry. Discounts range from 35-80 percent off list price. Approximately 95 percent of the wedding gowns are new or samples consigned to the store by overstocked specialty boutiques from around the country. On the special occasion side of the business, half of the inventory is new, and half is "once-loved." Morado drew her inspiration for starting the business from her experience in the mortgage industry. "As a top salesperson, I earned numerous trips to five-star resorts. Each awards celebration required two new dresses and all the accessories to go with them. It wasn't fitting to wear the same dress twice when having your photo taken with the CEO," she said. She added, "The thought of opening a consignment boutique that specializes in high-end dresses and gowns crossed my mind each year during awards season when I looked in my closet and thought What a waste!" Shopping at Le Dress Boutique lets brides stretch their budget without compromising on quality and design, Morado said. According to TheKnot.com and WeddingChannel.com's annual Real Weddings Study, the average wedding budget for 2012 was $28,427 (not including a honeymoon), up from $27,021 the previous year. The store also gives women the opportunity to recycle their special occasion dress to recoup some of their initial investment.  "Who wouldn't be thrilled to buy a couture or designer dress, in pristine condition, knowing you saved hundreds or even thousands of dollars," Morado added. Le Dress Boutique is located at 206-B Johnson Ferry Road N.E. in Sandy Springs. The store is open Tuesday-Thursday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Sunday from 1-5 p.m. For more information, go to www.LeDressBoutique.com. ###