This week on the blog, we are so excited to introduce you to this family-owned and operated boutique. Lillian opened The Bridal Boutique in Edmonton in 2008, with big dreams and high hopes. She employed her daughters and other fabulous females to help build her dream business alongside her.

Carrying a wide variety of stunning gowns, The Bridal Boutique is a one-of-a-kind experience for any bride, to walk through the doors and be greeted by friendly staff and exquisite taste. With no further ado, let's meet Lillian's daughter, Lyia, hard at work to keep The Bridal Boutique front of mind and centre of our hearts.

JR: Tell us about yourself, your background and your business.

[BB]: My name is Lyia and I am one of the owners of The Bridal Boutique. My mother and father founded our business in 2008 and it has been a whirlwind ever since. We currently have four locations in Edmonton, Calgary, Regina, and Saskatoon, and we're hoping not to stop there. I have always been infatuated with fashion, so bridal was a natural progression of my love for it.

JR: Your gowns and accessories are absolutely stunning. How did you end up in the wedding dress world?

[BB]: Thank you, I appreciate that. Bridal was pretty much a birthright for me. My mother Lillian worked in bridal when I was a child — I fondly remember playing dress-up and trying on veils while she styled brides. I have worked alongside her since I was 13, so it was no surprise that after I moved back from Montreal in 2010 upon completing fashion school, I would pursue my family business merging my two passions of bridal and fashion. Eventually, after learning the ropes from my mother, I moved to Calgary and we opened our second boutique, both shops encompassing a modern and fresh style. We cater to all brides looking for any style.

We stand out because we honestly are the best in the biz and I truly say that humbly. We have the knowledge and know-how of my mother who has been in the bridal game for over 30 years, infused with our (myself and my sisters) fresh, modern, innovative ideas and voilà — MAGIC. Not to mention we have a dream team of the most amazing women who take pride in what they do at our boutiques. Our shop is a family of females who come together with one common goal of dressing dreams.

| Photography Justine Milton | — | Justine Milton Photography |

JR: How do you stay up-to-date on all the new industry changes and trends?

[BB]: Bridal is forever changing, and it is essential to stay on the curve or be ahead of it. We attend Bridal Fashion Week in NYC twice a year and events across the world to ensure we are providing our brides with a curated collection of styles for all tastes. The latest trend that we forecast to see more of is "minimalistic but elevated" with texture and architectural craftsmanship and structuring. Think basque waist lines, textured fabrications, modern corsetry, and French laces- very much a play on the Victorian Era, and I am here for it!

JR: What is your favourite thing about working in the wedding industry?

[BB]: The intimate relationships that are created with our brides on their journey down the aisle. It's pretty special.

JR: Are there other industries you mingle with? Provide services for? Partner with often?

[BB]: We definitely mingle and have created strong relationships with like-minded businesses. But to be frank, we are so busy with our boutiques that we give our shops 1000% of our mind, body and soul.

| Photography Love Fool Photography | — | Love Fool Photography |

JR: Where do your gowns and accessories come from? How do you decide which designers to showcase?

[BB]: We carry dresses from Canada, the USA, Spain, New Zealand, Israel and Australia. We work one-on-one with our brides to understand what they want and need. Then we go and get it — whether it be a style missing from our boutiques or a new designer that our brides are asking for. We listen, it's as simple as that!

JR: Do you have any other passions outside of work?

[BB]: I am a new mom so my newest passion is that — being a mother. Navigating motherhood and running a business. Besides that I love staying active whether it be on my peloton, a stroll by elbow river or a quick gym session. And of course traveling is a staple in my life.