The Scoop: New York-based salon Bridal Reflections is proud to have personalized the wedding-dress-shopping process for generations. Every bride who makes an appointment with the company is paired with a consultant who helps her find the perfect gown. When it arrives at one of the three Bridal Reflections locations, the in-house tailor at each of the stores is ready to make any final alterations. Founded by Maria Micari in 1973, this family business caters to New Yorkers who often pass down the tradition of shopping at Bridal Reflections to their daughters and granddaughters. For its commitment to its customers, Bridal Reflections has earned our Editor’s Choice Award as a top salon for brides-to-be.
When a bride begins the search for her perfect wedding gown, she can be in for a long process. In fact, many start looking a full year before their big day. That’s why, when a client makes an appointment with New York’s Bridal Reflections, the owners and employees understand the commitment she’s making.
“When a bride comes in, she works with a consultant for two hours of no-pressure shopping,” said Owner Anthony Micari. “We discuss each bride’s needs, what she’s looking for, stylistically, and her pricing comfort zone. Then we embark on the journey together.”
The shop has catered to the unique needs of both brides and wedding parties since Anthony’s mother, Maria Micari, founded the business in Massapequa, Long Island, in 1973. Back then, it was called Bridal Suite, and its first shop was so popular that Maria and her husband soon opened a second location.
Maria later passed the business down to Anthony and his sister RoseLynn Micari-Fiumara. Cristina DeMarco, who began working as a stock girl with the company when she was 16, is also now a part owner. However, Bridal Reflections’ mission has always remained the same: to help every bride find the best dress both for her style and her budget.
Bridal Reflections has catered to the unique needs of its clients in New York since 1973.
In 2004, Bridal Reflections opened its first Manhattan location on Fifth Avenue. At the time, the team wanted to open a small space, but customer demand and support prompted it to move to a larger store — twice. The store builds on its success through its superior service and word-of-mouth referrals.
“Brides come back to us with bridesmaids, and their mothers come back for evening wear,” Anthony said.
Committed to Helping Brides Stay En Vogue Since 1973
Because finding the right wedding dress can be such a long process, brides need to find a shop that aligns with their interests. Bridal Reflections has aimed to make that a reality since Maria opened its doors. While ownership of the shop has changed hands, Maria still regularly drops by to check in on operations.
Today, Anthony, RoseLynn, and Cristina each handle different aspects of the business. Anthony takes on back-end operations, including technology and marketing, while RoseLynn works primarily out of the Massapequa salon. Cristina is what Anthony calls “the fashion guru,” who is always on the lookout for the most popular designers in the bridal industry.
While Bridal Reflections offers fashion-forward bridal gowns, the team wants to ensure that a bride finds a dress that makes her happy no matter what her style. The company demonstrates that commitment by hosting trunk shows with a rotating roster of designers every month.
The website offers brides a taste of the selection they’ll find at Bridal Reflections.
Once a bride describes her needs, a consultant directs her to one of Bridal Reflections’ three New York locations — Massapequa, Carle Place/Westbury, or Fifth Avenue. The three salons have unique styles, pricing options, and designers, so brides with vastly different tastes can find exactly what they’re looking for.
When a bride decides on a dress, Bridal Reflections begins perhaps the longest phase of the process: getting it to the shop. Depending on the designer and demand, some dresses can take up to a year to arrive. After the dress arrives, one of Bridal Reflections’ tailors makes alterations so that it’s perfect for the big day.
Expanding Services to Clients Across Three Locations
Perhaps one of the most impressive aspects of Bridal Reflections is the variety offered at its three salons throughout the New York City metro area. The locations are unique and don’t carry the same dresses. Instead, each location has a unique style that offers something different for brides.
During the first phone call, a bride shares her expectations as well as her comfort zone in pricing so the team can respect that for her. Then, she’s directed to the location that best fits both her aesthetic and price point.
Anthony said working one on one with a bridal consultant is vital to the process. While Bridal Reflections lists its designers on its website so brides can get a sense of what they’re looking for, consultants often guide brides in a different direction.
Bridal Reflections opened its location on Fifth Avenue in New York City in 2004.
“What they end up purchasing doesn’t always match what they envisioned,” Anthony said. “We want brides to let us guide them to choose something truly special.”
All three locations have full in-house alterations departments, so a bride doesn’t need to travel across the city if she lives closer to another location. If a bride does purchase a dress at one shop and would prefer to have it altered somewhere else, the shop can make that happen as well.
“We offer an unparalleled level of service,” Anthony said.
Bridal Reflections is also committed to the community and contributes to a variety of local charities.
“We donate dresses to military brides or fiancées of military personnel,” Anthony said. “We also donate dresses for girls who can’t afford a prom dress.”
Bridal Reflections Salon: Multigenerational Referrals Contribute to Its Popularity
The team at Bridal Reflections appreciates the family feeling its salons create. Brides often bring in their mothers and grandmothers to search for their wedding wear as well. Some mothers and grandmothers even reminisce about shopping for their own bridal dresses at the salon.
“What sticks with you are the multigenerational stories,” Anthony said. “A bride will send us a thank-you card along with a photograph of dresses that her mother and grandmother also purchased at our store.”
Family stories like those have helped Bridal Reflections develop a reputation to attract clients from around the country and world.
“Word of mouth is also important, and a huge percentage of our customer base comes from those referrals,” Anthony said.
Looking to the future, Bridal Reflections has plans to develop a more robust retail website that will sell bridesmaids dresses, evening wear, and accessories to anyone who can’t make it into one of the New York shops. Additionally, the team intends to hold more fashion shows, including one featuring sought-after designer Mark Zunino, who designs not only bridal gowns but also couture clothes for the likes of Beyoncé and Oprah.
“We’re the complete package. We have the best service, the best fashion, and the advantage of the three salons. Plus, brides can be confident that the dress is going to fit them,” Anthony said. “Being family-owned and -operated, we’re not going anywhere.”
