Real Bride Friday | Xaviera and Chong

Wedding Date: June 5th, 2022

Gown Designer: Stella York

Venue: Bayshore Clubhouse

Photographer: Captured by Jami

Violinist: Celina Farmer

Florist: Fireweed Floral

MUA: @glambycatvee, Cathy Vang

Cupcakes: @heavenlyangel, Angel Yang

Tailor: Best Alterations

Menswear: Men’s Warehouse

The best part of the venue: “Outdoor ceremony area!”

Why did you pick your venue: “I wanted someplace that would give an Alaskan feel as far as scenery went and had some body of water, and the outdoor ceremony area was able to do that! I also loved the coziness feel it had inside. It was a close location in town for most guests and was a plus that it was wheelchair accessible because we needed it for my grandma.”

Favorite part of your gown: “Definitely the back details and the train!! I loved it so much!!”

Why did you pick your dress: “I feel more confident in dresses that hug my body in the right areas, and this dress did that. I loved the detailing in the lace and beading. The color complimented my skin perfectly. Again, I couldn’t stop feeling fantastic with the gorgeous lower back detailing, and THAT TRAIN!!! I wanted to be a little bit “extra” for my wedding and the train was the WOW for me. I felt AMAZING in it!”

Three words to describe your day: “Beautiful, happy, heartwarming”

Your inspiration for the wedding: “I wanted it to feel like me, so I really stuck to my wants and needs. I wanted to go for a romantic light and spring feel with a touch of elegance and warmth.”

Any other fun memories / moments from the day: “We both didn’t cry during the first look or walking down the aisle; they were both very happy moments (especially because I surprised him during our first look with a Sponge Bob blow up costume LOL) but it definitely hit me when we danced to our first dance song, “I Get to Love You” by Ruelle. that’s when I started crying. I also didn’t take off my veil for our first dance, so while we were dancing, Chong kept accidentally stepping on it, being as it was a cathedral length veil. So he just picked it up and wrapped it around us. It was very funny but also felt very intimate that he wrapped us both in it and closer together.”

Real Bride Friday | Ashley and Lucas

Wedding Date: June 18th, 2022

Gown Designer: Stella York

Veil Designer: Jennifer Leigh Couture Veils

Accessories: Ariel Taub, Untamed Petals, Heidi Hull Designs, and Bel Aire Bridal

Venue: AK Diamond J Ranch

Photographer: Joshua Veldstra

Videographer: Out the Road

Wedding Planner/Coordinator: Jordan Lane, AKhappenings

Florist: Alaska Stems

Menswear: Men’s Wearhouse

Makeup: Jenna Bakk

Cake: Alaska Wedding Cake Boutique

Tailor: Rose’s Custom Tailoring

The best part of the venue: “The effort the owners have put into making the venue absolutely beautiful and how they’ve thought of every detail. We didn’t need to add much decor wise, the buildings and location were stunning by themselves.”

Why did you pick your venue: “It was the only one we really even considered. The venue was everything we hoped for on the tour and the owners, Billy and Stephanie, were amazing hosts.”

Favorite part of your gown: “The small intricate detailing throughout the dress and the train. It made me feel effortlessly elegant without being over the top. Also, it was VERY comfy.”

Why did you pick your dress: “It made me picture walking down the aisle to my best friend, and made me feel like a strong, confident, woman.”

Three words to describe your day: “Love, happiness, dancing.”

How you met: “Tinder!”

How they proposed: “We went to tour AK Diamond J Ranch on August 2020, and stopped at Kenai Lake on the way home. He surprised me and proposed after we’d confirmed the ranch was where we’d wanted to get married.”

What to do with your gown after the big day!

Photographer: Kristian Irey

You have said “I Do” and all of the excitement has settled, now the big question lingers. What should I do with my wedding gown? Be sure to really consider what you envision with your gown, do you want to clean it and have it readily available to try on? Do you want to preserve it for your future daughter or loved ones? Do you want to sell it? Let’s dive deeper into what these options look like.

Wedding Gown Cleaning

Cleaning your gown is a perfect place to start and while there are some talented dry cleaners in Alaska, there are no gown specialists. This is why we have paired with a gown specialist out of Michigan who takes care of all of our cleaning needs. We offer different packages based on your needs, from a basic after-wedding clean to a full repair and clean. Our packages start at $262 and go up from there based on your needs. This price includes the shipping to and from Michigan.

If this is the right choice for you, we would schedule a time for you to drop off your gown and we would take it from there. Once it arrives back in the boutique, we will give you a call!

Wedding Gown Preservation

Preserving your gown can be a perfect option for the bride that would like to save her gown. We offer a few different packages through our gown specialist in Michigan. The price will depend on the size of your gown and if there are repairs needed, gown preservation starts at $550 and includes all shipping costs.

So what exactly is gown preservation? After a thorough cleaning, gowns are carefully layered with acid-free tissue, wrapped in muslin, and carefully folded into a beautiful box for storage. A pair of cotton gloves will be included for you to use if you would like to take your gown out and share it with children or friends. We believe that your gown should be enjoyed, not vacuum-packed where you cannot even see it. If you want to unpack your gown, you will use the gloves included and lay it on a clean sheet. Then, you may pack it away again in the box in the same way you received it. If the gown is worn, it should be re-cleaned before being stored again.

Selling Your Gown

Let’s be honest, not everyone wants to save their gown or even has the space to do so - if this is the case, selling your gown may be the right choice for you. The process of selling a gown may feel stressful, but thanks to technology it has become a bit easier! We recommend listing your gown with all of the information - style/designer, size, the size chart from the designer, and be sure to include any alterations that may have been done. Photos from the designer can be used, but you will have the best luck with real photos of the gown up close. Posting the listing on Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark, and Still White can be a great place to start!

And if all else fails, you can always shorten it and wear it again!

We hope this helps relieve some of the post-wedding stress. If you would like more information on any of these options, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

Photographer: The Hitched Hiker

Real Bride Friday | Gabrielle and Kyle

Wedding Date: June 18th, 2022

Gown Designer: Essense of Australia

Veil Designer: Bel Aire Bridal

Accessories: Ariel Taub, Untamed Petals, and Heidi Hull Designs

Venue: Government Peak Chalet

Photographer: Theresa McDonald

DJ: New City Entertainment

Menswear: Men’s Wearhouse

Hair: Hayley Moore

Makeup: Chance Droege

Catering: Qdoba

Cake: Kastle’s Kreations

Tailor: Celestial Designs

The best part of the venue: “We loved the outdoor ceremony space.”

Why did you pick your venue: “The venue was simple, but had a lot of potential.”

Favorite part of your gown: “I loved the buttons all the way down the train.”

Why did you pick your dress: “It made me feel the most beautiful and sexy!”

Three words to describe your day: “Emotional, Exciting, and Romantic!”

Your inspiration for the wedding: “Our inspiration was simple and rustic.”

How you met: “Kyle and I met through a really great friend!”

How they proposed: “Kyle proposed in Maui after way to much chips and queso!”

Real Bride Friday | Leslie and Eleazar

Wedding Date: June 12th, 2022

Gown Designer: Essense of Australia

Veil Designer: Stella York

Venue: Villa La Joya in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

Photographer: Maricarmen Arcos Photos

Wedding Planner/Coordinator: Paradise Wedding and Events

DJ: Uno Audiovisual

Menswear: Men’s Wearhouse

Florist: Cherry Blossom Mexico Florists

Hair and Makeup: Mar Rodríguez

Catering/Cake: Pastelería La Migaja

Tailor: Celestial Designs

The best part of the venue: “The mansion was the best part of the venue.”

Why did you pick your venue: “We picked our venue because it was absolutely breathtaking!”

Favorite part of your gown: “I loved the detail around the waist and all of the glitter.”

Why did you pick your dress: “I felt like it complimented my curves the best, it’s stunning!”

Three words to describe your day: “Amazing. Incredible. HOT.”

How you met: “I had heard of Eleazar through a mutual friend. We officially met at Bernie’s Bungalow Lounge one night and after that he messaged me on Instagram. We haven’t stopped talking since.”

How they proposed: “We were in Maui with another couple. It was my birthday. We were driving on the road to Hana and we were planning on taking couple pictures with matching Hawaiian outfits. The road was very dangerous and narrow but had the most amazing views. It started to rain on the way there and the sun was starting to set so we decided to cut the road-trip short. We pulled up to a trailhead that lead to a waterfall. We hiked 1.5 miles up a muddy trail not really knowing what we were going to find as this wasn’t the spot he had anticipated. We were all wearing floral print and sandals definitely not dressed for all that. We ended up finding a bridge and a beautiful waterfall! We posed for a picture as our friends were actually recording and then he knelled to the ground and pulled out the most beautiful ring and I started sobbing.”

Dress Shopping FAQ

Finding the perfect gown for your wedding day can be such an exciting and fun part of your planning, but we also understand that there can be some big questions surrounding this time. we want to break it down for you! Here are the answers to some of the top questions that we get asked!

FAQ: What is the most important advise when planning for your bridal appointment?

Come in with an open mind! Each gown will look and feel different to everyone. You may have an idea of your dream gown, but it could end up being something totally different and that is okay! It may be unexpected, but if you feel beautiful and like yourself in the gown, it is probably the one!

FAQ: Who should I bring with me to my bridal appointment?

We recommend limiting your guests to 4 people! When selecting your guests make sure that you are including those with opinions you value, but who will also support you! If you have someone special who would like to help you pay for your gown, it is always nice to consider their availability when scheduling your appointment. Overall, the final decision is all yours! At the end of the the day, your friends and family will love what you pick, because it is what makes you feel most beautiful and confident!

FAQ: What should I wear to my bridal appointment?

When trying on wedding dresses one of our professional stylists will be in the room with you to help you get in and out of the gowns. Wear what you are most comfortable in, nude undies are best! As far a bra goes, do not stress - the majority of gowns have a built in bra!

FAQ: What is your price range for wedding gowns?

The average price of our gowns is $1,700 - $2,500. However, we have gowns on either end of that. For lower budgets, we do have a wonderful selection of sample sale gowns that start at $500 and go up from there. These sale gowns have been tried on, worn for photo shoots, and throughout the store, they may have minor imperfections which results in the discounted price. Be realistic when setting your budget and do not forget that every gown will need some sort of tailoring, so it is important to keep that in mind.

FAQ: I am planning on loosing weight before my wedding. Should I pick a smaller size, than my current measurements?

The quick answer - No!

Once you find your gown, we will take your measurements and review the size chart together. We always recommend that you order to your current measurements. We want you to enjoy this season of your life and not be constantly worried that you will fit into your gown. Keep doing what you are doing girl, gowns can always be taken in if needed!

FAQ: I said that I didn't want a veil for my wedding, but I have changed my mind. Can I still get one?

Yes! We keep a great stock of veils and other accessories in the boutique for this exact reason! During your pick up appointment, you may not know exactly what you want your final bridal look to be. You are more than welcome to come back in for an accessory appointment at any time leading up to your wedding day!

We cannot wait to shop with you!

XXX, Team Bateau

Photographer: Captured by Jami

Real Bride Friday | Shea and Jake

Wedding Date: January 22nd, 2022

Gown and Veil Designer: Stella York

Belt Designer: Jaclyn Jordan

Venue: The Anchorage Downtown Hilton

Photographer: The Hitched Hiker

Wedding Planner/Coordinator: Events by Ayla

DJ: NewCity Entertainment

Menswear: Jake wore a Zegna tux, while guys wore Men’s Wearhouse

Florist: Tundra Rose Florals and Event Design

Hair and Makeup: Aubrey at LVSH, Samantha also helped with girls.

Catering/Cake: We had a pasta bar, provided by the Hilton. Our cake was made by my Aunt and we also had Malasadas from Wikiwiki!

Tailor: Celestial Designs

Favorite part of your gown: “I loved the body and movement that the gown had, all of the soft tulle, and the secret layer of sparkle! It was a real life princess cupcake dress!”

Why did you pick your dress: “I saw all of the tulle hanging from the hanger and KNEW that it was the one. It was the third dress I tried on and I REALLY KNEW that was the one once I had it on! Kelsey and Tara were so patient with me while trying on what felt like every dress in the story. I just kept going back to this dress! I felt beautiful and sexy, and that was even before Celeste REALLY made it my own with the additional layer of glitter tulle!!”

Three words to describe your day: “Elegant, dreamy, radiant!!”

Your inspiration for the wedding: “Moody glam”

How you met: “Jake was helping our friend clean up after his First Friday event, when he asked her if she had any single friends! A goofy video of him dead lifting a keg… led to a text… and then to a first date… the rest is history!”

Any other fun memories / moments from the day: “We always wanted a winter wedding with snow and flurries, hence a January wedding, jokes on us it was 45 degrees and raining on wedding day! (They do say it is good luck to rain on your wedding day right 😉)”

Real Bride Friday | Theresa and Trevor

Wedding Date: May 25th, 2022

Gown Designer: Stella York

Veil: Bel Aire Bridal

Venue: Kink Glacier

Photographer: Joe with Chugach Peaks Photography

Florist: Storybook Floral Co.

Hair and Makeup: The Beauty Room

Menswear: Men’s Warehouse

Cake: Midnight Sun Cakery

Tailor: Celestial Designs

The best part of the venue: “Stunning views of the Knik Glacier and mountains! The weather was perfect with sunshine, no wind (even on the mountain top), and no bugs.”

Why did you pick your venue: “We love being outdoors and being adventurous, and wanted to do something unique and special.”

Favorite part of your gown: “Everything! The train, the custom sleeves, the pretty lace and bead details.”

Why did you pick your dress: “It made me feel beautiful.”

Three words to describe your day: “Breathtaking, exciting, and romantic.”

How you met: “We met through a mutual friend as young teenagers riding our bikes.”

How they proposed: At Point Woronzof in Anchorage on our 12th “anniversary” together (12 years as boyfriend/girlfriend)

Any other fun memories / moments from the day: “We rode in a helicopter and had our ceremony on the Knik Glacier. Then had a picnic and danced together on a Mountaintop before going to our reception to celebrate with our closest friends and family members.”

Real Bride Friday | Anya and Bennett

Wedding Date: May 14th, 2022

Gown Designer: Private Collection from Bateau Bridal Boutique

Venue: Community Covenant Church

Photographer: Theresa McDonald

Cake: Arctic Moon Bakery

Tailor: Aggie’s Sewing Shop

Why did you pick your venue: “We met each other at this church so it holds a special place in our hearts.”

Favorite part of your gown: “All the sparkle and detailing makes it look and feel magical!”

Why did you pick your dress: “When I tried it on I knew it was the one, I felt so comfortable and beautiful in it.”

Three words to describe your day: “Laughter, Joyful, Radiant”

New Arrivals | Martina Liana

We are so excited to welcome gowns from the new Martina Liana collection into the boutique! This collection features both clean, sleek gowns and of course all of the bling! We cannot wait to see you in these beautiful gowns!

Style: 1471

Style: 1486

Style: 1465

Style: 1443

Style: 1440

There are even more amazing gowns to come!

We cannot wait to help you find the perfect gown for your wedding day!