Our Story

Lena worked for Bella Sala Event Center, where The Bridal Shop once was a one-stop-shop for all things bridal. Lena was given the opportunity to help plan and manage wedding events, with her eye for color, style and fashion, Lena was able to receive the freedom and space to create, grow, and thrive in the bridal and wedding world.

Then...as fate would have it, it clicked so perfectly; like this was what Lena was supposed to be doing her whole life. Lena is so grateful to have had the experience that was guided and given by many. Lena never saw it coming for her...but one day, Lena was asked if she would like to take over The Bridal Shop, revamp and move to a bigger city. Lena couldn't see life without The Bridal Shop. Lena couldn't believe owning a salon & spa, traveling to extend her cosmetology license and knowledge would of led her heart to owning The Bridal Shop. Lena's vision for the rebrand and look of The Bridal Shop just flowed so easily into place; Lena loves modern and elegant colors and obsessed with all things rose gold and teal. Lena wanted the first moment you walk into her boutique and experience to be so elevated and bouji, because that is truly what Lena thinks every bride deserves! As crazy and stressful as life is these days, Lena wants her brides to feel just so taken care of and fussed over when they come into The Bridal Shop. The Bridal Shop boutique is a beautiful space that was created with so much love, hopes and dreams.

Welcome to the #TBS Family. We are so happy you're here!

Two decades ago, we set out to create a bridal shop for YOU, by YOU - a highly curated and simplified experience, with wedding dresses and wedding attire that match our brides' vision and inspiration.We built The Bridal Shop on the values of authenticity, inclusivity, community, and commitment. The Bridal Shop boutique was created with love and passion for the intention to walk in and feel like you're on cloud nine. Our promise we make to you is that we do not push high pressure sales, we do not believe in the one-size-fits-all services and we do not have overcrowded racks. We are the expert stylists that always have your back (and your vision in mind)

Our values we hold is the baseline of authenticity. We are always honest and celebrate others in their unique individual love stories. We are actively seeking out and discovering new ways to grow. We live on the lookout for better and we bring this value to our collections, our processes, ourselves, and our community. Our expert stylists, our designers, our brides, and our local wedding vendor communities are all in it together. Here at The Bridal Shop we keep it light-hearted, remembering love, we are a safe place for our brides, where everyone experiences a true sense of belonging and encounters emphatic hearts and open minds that have your back. We believe this journey through your engagement to the wedding, is one thing in life that is undeniably meant to bring out the upmost fun in you. We are so lucky to be able to spend our days with all the wedding frills and brides to make the most of it by prioritizing a good time for everyone!

Meet the Lovely Owner

Lena Christner

Lena was born and raised in Iowa City, IA. She graduated with a Cosmetology License right after high school. Lena opened up her own Salon and Spa in 2008. Lena traveled around the United States building her clientele. Accompanying her love for cosmetology; Lena has always had a passion for the bridal industry. That passion married her creativity and spunk into the perfect Bridal Stylist to Bridal Owner. Lena's amazing talent and eye for color, style and fashion has made her invaluable to The Bridal Shop and the customers that come through her boutique doors. Lena lives for all things bridal. As she quotes "If you can wear it to a wedding we've got you covered! Here at The Bridal Shop we care deeply about your love story, your vision and personal style, and we cannot wait to help bring your wedding dreams to life!"

Meet our Sensational "Expert Stylist" Manager/Social Marketer

Hannah Starr

I graduated with my associates degree from DMACC, where I majored in Liberal Arts. As I was working on moving from Moravia, IA to Iowa City with my boyfriend. I stumbled upon The Bridal Shop hiring a bridal manager position. After meeting "Lena" the owner and her gorgeous boutique, I instantly fell in love with her values and mission at The Bridal Shop and I wanted to be the heart of the love she shares with her brides and customers.

Being an "Expert Stylist" Manager at The Bridal Shop, brings so much joy and happiness, to be able to help our customers and brides throughout the whole journey of wedding dress shopping and watching our brides light up in their wedding dress for the first time and realizing it's the one and saying "Yes to the Dress", to the finishing touches of steaming and pressing the brides wedding dress the week of the wedding.

Learning beside Lena (Owner), has always shown me the world of the bridal industry. With her knowledge of the bridal industry and her eye for detail, married me into The Bridal Shop's Social Marketer as well. I enjoy creating trending content for The Bridal Shop on all social media platforms. I believe first impressions matter and showing what I learn about our wedding dresses is the key to selling more than a dress, it's selling a lifestyle.

From the beginning Lena and I have had a strong relationship. With our love for all things bridal and the vision to make an impact in the huge process of women preparing for their special day. We work together to attend the National Bridal Markets to hand select gorgeous wedding dresses right off the runway. This experience is a once in a lifetime feeling, not only to bring these gorgeous wedding dresses back to The Bridal Shop, but being able to see one of our brides fall in love with them as much as we do.

Quote by Owner Lena
"Hannah's dedication and adoration towards every bride is the heart beat of who we are. Hannah can't wait to shower you in celebration from the moment you walk through our boutique doors!"

When you step into The Bridal Shop, you will see how much passion, care and love we have for what we do and what we LOVE!!!

Our Bridal Shop Stylists, put their heart and soul into each and every customer making sure they feel welcomed, listened to, and appreciated.