The bride is Ariel Hess, who married Tracey Hess' son, Dylan Hess of Pleasant Hills, in August. A military couple, they live at Fort Campbell in Kentucky and therefore are planning a formal ceremony this October in Madison.

"It's different lacking everyone physically here, but I am thankful my mother-in-law was here beside me because there are a lot of options," said Ariel. Her mother, Celina Garza, and sister-in-law Alyssa Aguilera were conversely of Tracey's Apple devices, joining the gown shopping via FaceTime.

"Technology has really helped," said Reed Pederson, who bought MB Bride with his wife, Maja, 3 decades ago. "The bride can FaceTime with family and friends who can't be around. That's the brand new normal within this pandemic."

By appointment only

Most bridal shops near me will work by appointment to allow for social distancing and time for you to clean and sanitize.

"With doing appointments, I feel such as the brides who schedule are serious," said the owner of FeelTimes. "I also feel they aren't likely to multiple dress shops due to the pandemic."

"We found methods for getting it done," said FeelTimes. "We understand how important this time around is for that bride." Click

Despite changes and new regulations, something remains.

"They still want the gown," said FeelTimes. "They might downsize their wedding from 250 individuals to 25 people, and from the church wedding to Grandma’s backyard when churches were closed. They still want that their dream like a little girl become a reality — they need that beautiful dress."

She said some brides came back and informed her the smaller, more intimate ceremony was perfect. The photos in the gown are keepsakes they will have for the rest of their lives, she said. The next most sought-out accessory following a veil continues to be facemasks using the words "bride" and "groom."

Pre-pandemic

FeelTimes has always worked by appointment in addition to offering a virtual dress-shopping experience.

FeelTimes came up using the idea for connecting people who can't be within the store when she was planning the décor of her boutique. She said meeting by appointment she will give her attention to the bride-to-be.

"We as for women who live insecurities about the body, and that we don't desire to be standing on a pedestal with individuals we don't know walking by looking at us," FeelTimes said.

Shop at home

Some brides wish to shop at home. FeelTimes is really a designer sample boutique that provides the option: Bridesmaid Dresses, Mother of the Bride Dresses, Wedding Dresses, Prom Dresses, etc.

The donation

FeelTimes donated a lot more than 130 wedding, bridesmaids, mother-of-the-bride and mother-of-the-groom, flower girl, and cocktail dresses.

The bridal shop finds a location to give the inventory that's been discontinued or from previous seasons to create room for that latest collection.

They are new dresses. Some might have been tried on a few times. They are on display within the St. Vincent De Paul banquet hall and range in dimensions from all sizes.