Honey Bridal

What Honey Bridal does

Honey Bridal is a Chicago-based, women- and queer-owned bridal boutique founded in 2017 by sisters Dana Karlov and Hallie Borden. The company operates a single physical showroom at 670 N Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago, selling wedding gowns exclusively by appointment to individual brides. It carries curated collections from 12+ independent designers based in the U.S., Canada, Italy, and Australia, with gown prices ranging from $2,400 to $10,000 (majority $3,000-$5,000), plus a curated accessories assortment from nine accessory designers. The boutique samples gowns in sizes 8-22 and orders custom sizes 00-40, positioning itself as a size-inclusive, slow-fashion, pressure-free alternative to mass-market bridal retailers. Initial appointments run 75 minutes and follow-ups 45 minutes, with a 60-day rolling booking calendar, waitlist functionality for fully-booked days, and periodic trunk shows featuring visiting designers.

The revenue model is straightforward direct-to-consumer retail: one-time purchases of designer gowns (custom-ordered with 6-7 month standard lead times, rush ordering available for additional fees) plus accessories and limited off-the-rack sample sales. Alterations are not performed in-house but are referred to external tailors and represent an additional customer spend outside Honey's revenue. Marketing is conducted through organic social media, email inquiries, designer trunk shows, and word-of-mouth referrals, with customer-submitted wedding photos driving community engagement. There is no e-commerce channel; every transaction is conducted in person at the Chicago showroom. Headcount consists of the two co-founders plus appointment stylists; no external funding has been raised and the business is privately held.

Honey Bridal has no proprietary technology, app, or AI components. Its competitive position rests on designer curation, brand identity (queer-owned, inclusive, ethical/sustainable), and a high-touch appointment model. The operating model is geographically constrained to Chicago, although the company explicitly notes that travel shopping occurs for out-of-town brides. Strategic activity has centered on deepening the designer portfolio and running trunk show events rather than on geographic expansion, capital raises, or M&A.

Name

Honey Bridal

Website

https://honey-bridal.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Chicago-based, women- and queer-owned bridal boutique founded in 2017, selling designer wedding gowns ($2,400-$10,000) and accessories from 12+ independent labels by appointment only at a single showroom, serving inclusive, fashion-forward brides.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

NAICS

Clothing and Clothing Accessories Retailers (4581)

SIC

Retail-Apparel & Accessory Stores (5600)

akta.pro primary industry

Luxury Bridal & Occasionwear (CRAAAFAI)

Keywords

• Bridal boutique
• Wedding gowns
• Independent designers
• Bridal appointments
• Sustainable bridal

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. Wedding Gown Sales: Primary revenue from selling designer wedding gowns from independent designers. Gowns are ordered custom-sized (00-40) based on bride measurements. Standard lead time is 6-7 months with rush ordering available for expedited delivery (fees apply).
2. Accessories Sales: Curated selection of veils, belts, headpieces, and jewelry from partnered accessory designers. In-stock items available for immediate purchase; custom orders have 4-20 week lead times. Complimentary accessories appointments available by phone.
3. Alterations Services (Referral): While Honey does not perform alterations in-store, they recommend expert tailors to brides. Alterations are separate from gown pricing and not included in the purchase.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Honey Bridal is a Chicago-based, appointment-only bridal boutique that sells custom-ordered wedding gowns from independent, ethically producing designers alongside curated bridal accessories. Purchases occur in-person at the physical showroom; gowns are ordered in sizes 00-40 with a standard 6-7 month lead time and rush ordering available. Brides also receive personalized one-on-one styling during 75-minute appointments in a pressure-free, inclusive environment.

Product overview

Honey Bridal is a Chicago-based bridal boutique offering a curated collection of wedding gowns from independent, women-owned designers who practice ethical and sustainable production. The boutique operates as a single unified retail concept, providing an appointment-only shopping experience with private, personalized styling sessions. The portfolio includes 12 designer gown collections (Truvelle, Aesling, Laudae, Georgia Young, Carol Hannah, Alyssa Kristin, Tara LaTour, OUMA Couture, Weilu Fresolone, Andrea Sedici, Martha Suarez, and Loulette Bride), a curated accessories collection, and bridal appointment services. The boutique emphasizes slow fashion, size inclusivity (samples sizes 8-22, orderable in sizes 00-40), and a pressure-free shopping environment for the modern bride.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Gowns sampled in sizes 8-22, orderable in sizes 00-40
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and supporting.

• TruvellecoreOthersVancouver-based independent bridal designer founded by Gaby Bayona. Features unconventional elements with effortless aesthetic. Known for minimal, modern bride styles. Operates in 9000 sq ft studio with 25+ employees. Gowns priced $2650-$3700, available in sizes 0-40. Honey carries 17 Truvelle styles.
• AeslingcoreOthersMinimal wedding wear designer based in Vancouver, Canada. Focuses on sleek simplicity highlighting natural silhouettes. Hand cut and made-to-order by local team. Gowns priced $2700-$3250. Honey carries 22 Aesling styles including the Pearl Cape accessory.
• LaudaecoreOthersVancouver-based team sourcing and manufacturing with environmental and social ethics. Modern stretch lace mermaid gowns. Gowns priced $2600-$3200. Honey carries 14 Laudae styles.
• Georgia YoungcoreOthersMelbourne-based couture designer. Strong distinctive design with geometric shapes and contemporary vibes. Handmade in Carlton studio. Gowns priced $4800-$6000, available in sizes 0-32+. Honey carries 6 Georgia Young styles.
• Carol HannahcoreOthersSelf-taught NYC designer. All gowns made on-site by hand, one at a time by skilled artisans. Gowns priced $4000-$6000. Honey carries 5 Carol Hannah styles.
• Alyssa KristincoreOthersChicago-made bridal collections with distinctive elements for each style. Designed to let brides accentuate favorite features. Gowns priced $2400-$5000, available in sizes 0-28. Honey carries 17 Alyssa Kristin styles.
• Tara LaTourcoreOthersMinneapolis-based designer merging modern ideas with vintage romanticism. Hand-crafted detailing and modern silhouettes. Gowns priced $2900-$5000+. Honey carries 14 Tara LaTour styles including mix-and-match corset and skirt options.
• OUMA CouturecoreOthersVancouver atelier brand by designer Ou Ma. Unique craftsmanship with zero-waste practices. Gowns priced $2600-$6000. Honey carries 10 OUMA Couture styles.
• Weilu FresolonecoreOthersGreenwich, Connecticut atelier by Weilu Fresolone. Sustainable couture gowns inspired by nature. Growing up on a farm in western China, inspired by natural beauty. Gowns priced $3000-$6000. Honey carries 6 Weilu Fresolone styles.
• Andrea SedicicoreOthersItalian designer founded by Andrea Di Nino in 2019 after 6 years at Giorgio Armani. Atelier in Pratola Peligna, Italy. Defined as best emerging bridal brand of last fifteen years. Gowns priced $5000-$7000. Honey carries 1 Andrea Sedici style.
• Martha SuarezcoreOthersMiami-based designer of Nicaraguan heritage. Haute couture inspiration with Latin roots, feminine and chic designs blending vintage and future concepts. Honey carries 2 Martha Suarez styles.
• Loulette BridecoreOthersDesigned by Marteal Boniello in New York City. Features sheer, textured silks, whimsical fabrics, and unique French laces. Made with integrity, responsibility, and love. Honey carries 3 Loulette Bride styles including the Marilyn Floof Topper.
• Stephanie CachapuzminorOthersRio de Janeiro-based haute couture designer. Artisanal techniques, refined construction, meticulous hand-finishing. Bossa-inspired effortless feminine sophistication. Featured at Honey during trunk show May 8-17. Gowns priced $5000-$10000 with 10% promotional discount.
• Hushed CommotionsupportingOthersAccessory designer providing veils, belts, and bridal jewelry to Honey's accessories collection.
• A.B. ElliesupportingOthersAccessory designer providing bridal accessories to Honey's curated collection.
• Emma KatzkasupportingOthersAccessory designer providing bridal accessories to Honey's curated collection.
• NestinasupportingOthersAccessory designer providing bridal accessories to Honey's curated collection.
• Lillian WildsupportingOthersAccessory designer providing bridal accessories to Honey's curated collection.
• Lia TernisupportingOthersAccessory designer providing bridal accessories to Honey's curated collection.
• Milk HandmademinorOthersSister store owned by Hallie Borden, Honey's co-founder. Locally sourced, sustainable clothing store opened in 2012. Located nearby; shares similar relaxed vibe and elevated style with Honey. Cross-promotional relationship through shared ownership.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• David's Bridal: Largest US bridal mass-market retailer with broad assortment across price points and multiple channels. Overlaps with Honey on wedding gown retail but at the opposite end of the price and positioning spectrum.
• Kleinfeld Bridal: Established NYC bridal salon offering a broad portfolio of designer gowns with by-appointment service. Comparable to Honey on the appointment-based luxury bridal experience, but at materially larger scale and broader designer mix.

Direct peers

• BHLDN: Anthropologie-owned bridal retail brand operating multiple US showrooms stocking curated collections of indie and designer wedding gowns with a similar fashion-forward, occasionwear positioning. Closest national-scale analog to Honey's indie-designer-by-appointment model.
• Lace & Liberty: Independent bridal retailer offering a curated edit of designer wedding gowns with a modern, minimalist aesthetic similar to Honey's positioning. Comparable indie-designer assortment and contemporary bride focus.
• Flutter Bridal Co. Independent bridal boutique featuring a curated selection of contemporary designer gowns with personalized styling. Comparable indie-designer assortment and small-format, appointment-driven retail model.
• The White Dress by the Shore: Independent bridal boutique offering curated designer collections with personalized appointment-based service. Comparable to Honey on boutique-scale, indie-designer curation, and high-touch customer experience.
• Lovely Bride: Multi-location US bridal boutique chain specializing in independent designer gowns with personalized, by-appointment styling. Operates a comparable indie-designer curation, inclusive sizing, and modern bride positioning to Honey.
• A&Bé Bridal Shop: Multi-city indie bridal boutique with curated collections of independent and emerging designers and inclusive sizing. Directly comparable to Honey in assortment strategy and modern-bride customer profile.

Others

• Maggie Sottero Designs: Independent bridal designer brand wholesaling gowns through authorized retailers. Functions as a designer supplier peer rather than direct retailer, but competes for the same indie-designer-aware bride.
• Milk Handmade: Co-founder Hallie Borden's sister Chicago boutique focused on locally sourced, sustainable ready-to-wear. Shares brand DNA, ownership, and customer overlap with Honey and represents a cross-promotional peer in the same founder's portfolio.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/honey-bridal

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Honey Bridal