DOUBLING IN SIZE

The Wedding Shoppe has always received the majority of its business through referrals from satisfied customers. As these referrals increased, so did the Wedding Shoppe’s business. Jim and Lois doubled the size of the retail store on the south side of Grand Avenue to accommodate the increase in business.

ALTERATIONS BUILDING

To create more space for dress alterations, a separate custom fittings building is opened at 1201 Grand Avenue.

CORPORATE OFFICE

With more satisfied brides and increased business, the corporate office is opened at 1197 Grand Avenue to provide brides with a superior call center and customer service. Unlike many bridal salons, the Wedding Shoppe provides brides with trained customer service. Their only job is to track your order from start to finish and answer any questions you may have during the process.

SECOND RETAIL STORE

The Wedding Shoppe continues to expand, purchasing 1192 Grand Avenue, and connecting it to the original retail store. This expansion significantly increases the size of the retail space.

ONLINE PRESENCE

The first generation Wedding Shoppe website is launched. It provided brides with basic info about the bridal salon.

"The advice I would give today's bride is the same advice I gave the 1977 bride. That is, enjoy your wedding day, the importance of the ceremony, the commitment to your spouse. 

Work with reliable vendors you can trust, and manage closely your most important wedding items such as your dress, reception, photographer etc. and it will all work out. If small things don't go exactly as you have planned, do not get overwhelmed or too disappointed, enjoy your day!"

Jim Fritz - Wedding Shoppe Owner

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

The Wedding Shoppe wins the highest lifetime achievement award in the bridal industry, Outstanding Retailer of the Year, given by the National Bridal Market Association. Bridal designers vote to select one outstanding bridal salon. 

COMPANY GROWTH

The Wedding Shoppe reaches 50 employees.

The Wedding Shoppe continues to win more local and national awards including Best of Weddings by the Knot, Best Place to Buy Bridal Gowns and Accessories by Minnesota Bride Magazine, and Best Bridal by CitySearch.

FEATURES & AWARDS

In 2008, the Wedding Shoppe wins Best Place to Buy Attendant Dresses & Accessories and Best Place to Buy Bridal Gowns by Minnesota Bride.

The Shoppe also wins Best on a Budget by The Knot.

This year, the Wedding Shoppe partners with Kleinfield NY to sell Alita Graham and is featured on The Wedding Guys.

ONLINE STORE

To provide brides around the world with the same selection and service, the Wedding Shoppe launches a complete e-commerce and wedding planning web site.

In 2009, the Wedding Shoppe wins Best of Weddings and Best on a Budget by The Knot.

AWARD-WINNING BOUTIQUE

The Wedding Shoppe wins Best Place to Buy Bridal Gowns by Minnesota Bride.

AWARDS

The Wedding Shoppe wins Best Bridal Gowns on a Budget Under $2,000 by Minnesota Bride.

KENNEDY BLUE

The Wedding Shoppe launches their first exclusive line of wear-again bridesmaid dresses, Kennedy Blue, that made it easy for brides to dress their bridesmaids in a comfortable, affordable, stylish, and re-wearable dress. 

This year, the Wedding Shoppe wins Best Bridal Gowns on a Budget Under $2,000 by Minnesota Bride.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

At the National Bridal Market Chicago, Lois is awarded the Debi Lifetime Achievement Award. She is recognized for her constant hard work and success in the industry. She is the only recipient to have ever received this award.

Also in 2016, the Wedding Shoppe wins Best Bridal Gowns on a Budget Under $2,000 by Minnesota Bride.

40 YEARS OF BUSINESS

The Shoppe opened it's doors in 1977. Now in 2017, we're celebrating 40 years of making wedding dreams come true!