Truly Forever Bridal claims its Tampa store is the largest bridal salon in Florida, and it backs that up with a deep off-the-rack inventory, private VIP suites and a team of trained stylists. What fewer families realize is that the same floor and the same stylists handle prom, too. The store's Tampa page lists prom among its special occasion and formalwear categories, alongside mother-of-the-bride and groom gowns, and its services page gives prom a section of its own.
Lela and Bo Haas bought the business in June 2016 and remodeled the interior in a boutique style, according to the store's About page. A sister boutique in Sarasota has been open since 2018. Bridal is the store's main business, so think of prom here as a well-staffed department inside a much larger operation.
What a prom visit looks like
The store's pitch for prom is short and to the point.
Whether you want sleek, sparkly, bold, or timeless, we’ll help you find a standout style and get the perfect fit so you walk in with confidence.
That last phrase, the perfect fit, is where a salon of this size earns its keep. Truly Forever has seamstresses on staff, and testimonials published on its site single out the alterations work on length and sleeves. For a prom gown that needs a hem or a nip at the waist, seamstresses on the Busch Boulevard staff save a second stop.
Appointments run the show at a store built around brides, and the FAQ and Tampa page spell out how they work.
Length
Main-showroom appointments last 90 minutes.
Walk-ins
Reservations are the norm, but walk-ins are welcome when availability allows.
Guests
A small group in the main showroom, all 12 and older.
Booking
The online reservation system, or a call or text to the Tampa store.
For prom, a weekday request is the smart move, since spring weekends belong to wedding parties.
The store does not publish a prom designer list or prom price range online. Ask about prom sizes, colors and current stock when you book. The inventory turns over constantly, which is why the store cannot provide catalogs. For accessories, the Tampa store stocks jewelry, belts, gloves, jackets, capes and chokers. They are sold as bridal accessories, but many of them pair just as well with a formal gown.
Busch Boulevard and the schools around it
The Tampa store sits on Busch Boulevard in north Tampa, a road that families from all over Hillsborough County already know. Chamberlain High School is a nearby campus, and students from Gaither, Leto, King and Freedom high schools are all within a reasonable drive. Busch Boulevard itself runs east toward Temple Terrace, and New Tampa families come down from the north. For more prom options across Hillsborough County, Florida and beyond, the state page lists boutiques up and down the Gulf Coast.
Prom questions for the Busch Boulevard salon
Does Truly Forever Bridal sell prom dresses?
Yes. Prom is one of the special occasion categories the Tampa store lists, with stylists who help with both the dress and the fit.
Can I get my prom dress altered there?
The store has seamstresses on staff. Ask about prom alterations and turnaround when you buy, especially during the spring rush.