Indianapolis Bridal Store Helping Frantic Alfred Angelo Brides

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Nearly one month after wedding dress retailer Alfred Angelo filed for bankruptcy and closed all stores, an Indianapolis bridal boutique has stepped in to help brides who were left without their dream gown. When Young Colling, owner of Marie Gabriel Couture Bridal, heard about Alfred Angelo customers who never received their purchased dress or refund, she wanted to bring light to the stressful situation many brides were facing. Because Colling has decades of experience in the bridal and manufacturing world, she's seen and experienced many unique situations. That's why Colling, her daughter and business partner Anne-Marie, bridal designers and staff members at the family owned and operated business quickly made a plan to help frantic Alfred Angelo brides.

"It's not a job, it's my lifestyle," Colling said.

Sitting on the top floor of a building at 5252 E. 82nd St. is Colling's home away from home, Marie Gabriel Couture. The shop houses hundreds of wedding dress styles from nearly 30 different designer collections, also known as the "largest and best" selection of wedding dresses in the state.

Colling and her team travel around the country and world to visit and form a relationship with designers, making sure the Indianapolis store has the latest and greatest gowns. Because of this, the Marie Gabriel team can provide special discounts, sample gowns and changes to rush fees for Alfred Angelo brides, (soon-to-be Marie Gabriel brides). (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Indianapolis Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts and LIKE Indianapolis Patch on Facebook.)

“A lot of our designers we work with are waving rush fees, giving an extra discount, and trying to help the store for us to be able to offer this," Colling said. "Seventy percent of Marie Gabriel designers will wave a rush fee for them, as an extra incentive of a discount."

All Colling and her team ask is that Alfred Angelo brides make an appointment and bring a copy of the receipt they were given when they purchased their dress. It's Marie Gabriel and the designers' way of making sure the brides' new orders run smoothly.

"When I send the order in to the designer I have to send the copy of their receipt as proof," Colling said. "It’s always important to shop with your receipt because the whole industry is trying to help you. A lot of designers nationwide are trying to help."

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The Marie Gabriel owner said her team received frantic phone calls when Alfred Angelo quickly closed all doors last month, adding she quickly sold a dress off the rack to a bride whose wedding day was too close for Colling to implement a customary order and shipment plan.

Colling said her store does not specialize in bridesmaid gowns or mother-of-the bride and groom gowns, only bridal.

"It's a commitment to be there for the bride, it really is," Colling said. "Without the commitment, they (stores) don’t stay in this business. This is why you shop local, because its such a hand-on business. I know what dress you bought, most of us know you, and you constantly see familiar faces. That’s a huge relief. At Alfred Angelo, senior managers came and went, it was just numbers."

Colling said it was common to see Alfred Angelo brides in the store right after the chain shut down, and she's expecting even more since Marie Gabriel and other retailers announced their plan of action on social media and through word of mouth.

“A lot of spring 2018 brides are coming in now because they feel rushed," Colling said. "We had three brides come in last weekend."

But no matter when your wedding date is, Colling said the Marie Gabriel team is here to help all brides who were left without the dress they purchased at Alfred Angelo.

While Colling agrees the bridal gown business is about shopping for your dream dress, it becomes more than that at Marie Gabriel, adding, "It's really an experience."

More information and appointment scheduling: mariegabrielcouture.com

(Images via Young Colling, Marie Gabriel Couture Bridal)