If you only know Marien Mae as the bridal boutique in downtown LaSalle, the prom side might surprise you. For part of each year the shop converts Marien Mae Events, its event space a few doors down from the bridal boutique, into a full prom store.
December
The event space becomes the prom store
May
Last month as the prom store
June to November
Back to hosting showers, parties and private events
The setup hands LaSalle prom shoppers a room that is only about prom for half the year. Bridal appointments happen a few doors away, so the prom space stays focused on one event: the racks, the mirrors and the stylists are all there for prom.
How the prom store works
December through May we transform Marien Mae Events into our PROM STORE!
That announcement, capital letters and all, is the shop's own. The lead label is Jovani. The shop says girls can try on styles from Jovani's exclusive prom collection, with a wide range of sizes so everyone can feel comfortable and confident picking a dress. The range covers sleek and sophisticated gowns, princess-style ball gowns and trendy two-pieces in a variety of colors. Marien Mae presents it as the premier prom boutique in Illinois, and it builds the whole season around that idea.
The shop recommends booking an appointment. The team even has a prom consultant by title. The first weeks after the December opening bring first pick of the new Jovani styles.
How a prom styling session runs (a guide)
First
A consultant walks you through the collection
Then
An expert stylist pairs the dress with accessories from the store's own exclusive selection: sparkling jewelry, elegant clutches, statement shoes and dazzling hairpieces
Last
You leave feeling prom-ready
Illinois Valley schools that shop First Street
LaSalle sits at the heart of the Illinois Valley, and its prom customers reflect that. La Salle-Peru Township High School is the hometown campus. Ottawa Township High School, Hall High School in Spring Valley, Princeton High School, Mendota High School and Streator High School all sit in LaSalle or Bureau counties. The shop's own reach is wider still. It names LaSalle, Peru, Ottawa and Marseilles among the towns it serves, and it pitches itself to shoppers from Rockford, the Quad Cities, Peoria and Joliet as well.
Downtown LaSalle makes a pleasant setting for the trip. First Street is a walkable stretch of older storefronts, and a prom appointment can fold into lunch or a stroll before heading home. For families across north-central Illinois, a seasonal prom store close to home beats a full day on the interstate.
Beyond the prom store, Marien Mae is built around weddings. The bridal boutique a few doors away handles gowns by appointment on its second floor, and tuxedo rentals run through a partnership with Jim's Formal Wear. If a prom date needs a tux, ask about the Jim's rental while you are downtown.
Prom at Marien Mae
Is the prom store open year-round?
No. Marien Mae turns its event space into a prom store each December and runs it through May. From June through November, that space hosts showers and private events.
What accessories does the prom store carry?
An exclusive selection of sparkling jewelry, elegant clutches, statement shoes and hairpieces, which an expert stylist pairs with the dress.
Does Marien Mae do alterations?
No. The shop does not have a seamstress on staff, but it can recommend seamstresses in the area.