Love & Lace Bridal Salon Manager Ashley Harrison (on left) and Founder Ramona Southard are ready to welcome customers who want non-traditional wedding dresses.  “Once you’re one of our brides, there’s a community and a continued legacy you build with us,” says Harrison.

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Love & Lace Bridal Salon

When brides walk into Love & Lace Bridal Salon, they won’t find rows of traditional white ball gowns.  Instead, they’ll find statement dresses, including in unexpected colors like black and grey, designed for women who want their wedding day to reflect their personal style.

The boutique opened in Old Towne in late October after 12 years in Irvine, where co-founder Ramona Southard and her husband, Darren, were ready for a change.

“We’d known for a few years that we outgrew our space and wanted to move on to something new and fresh,” says Ramona.  “The area here is beautiful and we love it.”

For Ramona, who grew up in Villa Park, entrepreneurship runs in her blood.  Her parents owned a tailor shop, so she spent her childhood surrounded by fashion and alterations.  Despite this background, she initially pursued a different path, practicing law for eight years before pivoting.

“I knew I always had the entrepreneurial side that I got from my parents, so when I wasn’t happy practicing law, I decided I wanted to do something for myself,” she says.

After buying a few small businesses, Ramona nearly purchased an existing bridal store in Laguna Niguel.  At the last minute, she decided to create something entirely her own, and Love & Lace was born.

Ramona has also built a reputation for discovering new designers and giving them a platform, helping to launch their bridal design careers.

The untraditional approach has caught the attention of brides from around the world.

“We’ve had brides come in from as far as Australia and Japan, not only for our gowns, but also for the experience,” says Store Manager Ashley Harrison, who has been with the shop for eight years.  “We want our brides to walk in and feel like they’re home, and I think we’ve done a really good job at that."

One of the shop’s traditions is taking Polaroid pictures when a bride says yes to the dress, printing one for the bride to keep and another for the shop to display as a memento.

“We meet so many people on a daily basis, and everyone has a story,” says Ramona.  “Learning about people and hearing them share their love stories is one of the best parts of my job.”

Love & Lace Bridal Salon
191 North Orange St., Old Towne Orange, CA 92866  /  949-861-8455