By Tracey Moro / Photography by Mike Ferdinande
Venues are important. Along with having good food, and premium liquor, they are all the makings of a good celebration. But as all of us ladies know, the most important part of any good party is – what you’re wearing!
Finding the perfect dress is every bride’s mission just like finding the perfect partner for life. And with help from two local wedding dress stores, Macomb Now was on a mission for our Fashion story. Our photographer, Mike Ferdinande shared two models, Emily and Sara, and we all ventured to one of the most exceptional places around to host our photoshoot – Ford House, on the shores of Lake St. Clair.
Choosing the perfect backdrop for your bridal photos can bring memories that last a lifetime. From engagement to wedding day photos, the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House is a one-of-a-kind setting. With the stately historic buildings, the spectacular grounds and the view of Lake St. Clair, there is plenty for a photographer to work with. And the Ford House crew will gladly guide you.
“The estate’s grounds hold special meaning as they were cherished by the Ford family themselves, who often enjoyed the lush landscapes, lakeshore, and vibrant gardens. Edsel Ford’s own love for photography turned these scenic spots into a regular backdrop for the family’s memories, a tradition that continues today. Each season reveals new beauty, and couples are guided through the simple booking process to enjoy unforgettable sessions that reflect their unique stories,” said Tommy Karr, director of communications & engagement, Ford House.
And to make sure our models looked their best, Kristy Heartman and Samantha Holeton from Studio 9 Salon brought one of the mobile salons to the Ford House to get the job done.
Being prepared for anything is what the folks at Studio 9 Salon are known for, and one of the reasons they invested in mobile salons, which come to you. “We have had the mobile salons for about eight years. The units were designed and built in-house with the help of our sons,” said Verna Borsuck, who owns the salon with her husband, Mike. Being able to control the surroundings of where a wedding party gets their makeup and hair done is important for both the bridal party and the salon team. “About 12-15 years ago we started seeing brides transform away from the salon and request stylist to arrive at a home, hotel or location to preform services. As an employer this creates a lot of safety and health issues.”
The mobile salons have chairs at the proper height for the stylist to do her best, along with plenty of electricity and space for all the tools of the trade. There’s also plenty of room for the stylist to do their job. “This option has taken us to some fun and unusual places for weddings and commercial work,” said Verna.
Our cover wedding gown, a Martin Thornburg, is worn by Emily, and comes from Alessandra Bridal & Formalwear in Warren. This classic simple gown is for the bride who doesn’t want to be in a ton of bling, yet wants to be in something extremely elegant, striking and unforgettable. The timeless strapless sweetheart neckline brings romance and the fit and flare corset bodice sculpts the bride, making this gown a show stopper. Add the long illusion tulle sleeves with the row of buttons to finish the look and give it the perfect balance between sexy sophistication and refined drama. An elegant detachable tulle cape frames the skirt of the gown.
Brides are looking for many different looks now and Alessandra Bridal & Formalwear is ready. “There are all types of brides. Some are looking for more of a plain silhouette – a classy, sophisticated look. While others want the bling, a ball gown, all the glitz. Then we have the girls who want lace with sparkle. At Alessandra Bridal & Formalwear we have a little for everyone to try on,” said Alessandra Sbrocca, the store’s owner.
Since it takes about four to six months to order a new dress, unless you can find something in stock most stores recommend you start shopping one year to eight months in advance of the wedding date. “Bring a strapless bra and some heels,” said Alessandra.
“Each one of our brides is special to us and becomes part of the Alessandra family. As mothers have purchased their gowns from us, they are now bringing their daughters in to purchase their wedding gowns,” Alessandra said. The store has been in business since 1987.
Our model, Sara, is seen in another one of Alessandra’s dresses, this one by Moonlight Bridal. A more whimsical and flowy gown, this dazzling dress would be perfect for a beach or garden-type wedding. It features a plunging sweetheart neckline and full a-line silhouette skirt with an unexpected slit in the front. The dress is covered in a layer of embroidered and beaded tulle with pearls, bugles, seed beads and sequins that all add rich texture and a subtle shine. The full skirt moves as you walk, so the bride feels like a modern day princess.
From Piera’s Bridal Couture our model Emily is seen in an Eve of Milady wedding dress. This strapless ball gown has a basque waist, defined by a strong “V” point that dips in the front. The long chapel train is adorned with organza flowers along the hemline. “It has unique embroidered organza appliqués over the entire dress and the flowers along the hem make this dress truly a one-of-a-kind!,” said Piera Sbrocca of Piera’s Bridal Couture, in Shelby Township. “It also has matching removable bishop sleeves, (not shown). It was paired with a matching organza embroidered cathedral length veil (brand: Bel Aire Bridal).
Opened in 2009, in 2024 Piera’s celebrated 15 years. “Piera’s Bridal is a small family owned and operated business, we pride ourselves on giving each and every bride a specialized dress-shopping experience she will never forget! We love to welcome brides who say YES into the Piera’s Bridal family,” said Piera.
Unique styling has come a long way in bridal gowns. Most stores send their buyers to New York City for Fashion Week. “We have seen some really fun and unique trends coming for 2025 bridal fashion! When we went to New York City for Bridal Fashion Week in October we saw a lot of dresses with the Basque waistlines – both ballgowns and fitted gowns. Lots of exposed boning, corset bodices, and beautiful romantic laces. Bows, pearls, and crystals were also something we saw a good amount of not only for bridal gowns but also evening wear,” said Piera.
The last gown, fitted with lace sleeves, and worn by Sara is the Justin Alexander Jessa dress. The Jessa dress is a charmeuse fit and flare gown with ruching details, a slit, and alencon lace off the shoulder sleeves. The ruching, or the pleated gathering on the one side, makes this dress figure-flattering no matter your shape or size! The lace off the shoulder neckline and sleeves make this dress elegant and sophisticated, while the optional slit can give brides a touch of something sexy! “One of my favorite small details about this dress is the covered buttons down the entire back and train,” said Piera. “We paired this gown with a lace mantilla-style cathedral length veil by Maritza Bridal Veils.”
When dress shopping, Piera says “The most important thing a bride can bring to a bridal appointment is an open mind! Wedding dress shopping is unlike shopping for anything else, and many brides end up saying YES to a dress that is completely different from what they came in asking for.”
And when it comes to the bride bringing guest with her to help in the process Piera says. “We have found that 1-3 guests are the perfect amount, just make sure they bring the good vibes only! We also recommend bringing inspiration pictures so our stylists can see the vibe a bride is going for, and it can be helpful to bring a strapless or sticky bra, and shape wear or biker shorts.
Tailoring has become a dying art and finding seamstresses who specializes in bridal and formalwear can be difficult, so it is important to find someone who is trusted and has bridal experience. Piera says, “The cost of having your dress tailored by a trained professional can be costly, but it is important to understand the quality of the work being done will affect the way your dress fits.” She said brides can expect two to three appointments to get the dress to fit perfectly, and suggests to be patient and trust the process.
According to Piera, the best part of helping brides is definitely the moment they put on THE DRESS! “Sometimes we even know before they do that a dress is ‘the one’ – it is such a special moment that we are all so grateful to be able to be a part of.”
