Don't let the name steer you away. Bridal Elegance, in Millcreek Square on Erie's Peach Street, runs a full prom and party department, and its own shop description puts prom gowns right alongside the wedding dresses. The salon has been family owned and operated since 1981 and covers more than 10,000 square feet, which leaves room for a full prom department.
For students across Erie County, the dress, the accessories and the date's tuxedo can all be handled by the same family, because its tux shop, Cuffs Formal Wear, is part of the business.
The prom and party designers
The store's prom and party menu names these lines:
- Sherri Hill, with its own prom section
- Amarra
- Jasz Couture
- Dave & Johnny prom
- Portia and Scarlett
- Primavera, in both its long gowns and the Primavera Exclusives collection
- Andrea and Leo, Paul Rekhi, Colors and LaDivine
Its website lists in-stock prom and evening gowns from the smallest sizes up through plus and W sizes, and it also groups dresses for homecoming, Sweet 16 and red carpet looks.
In season, the store says hundreds of new evening gowns, prom gowns and mother of the bride dresses come in every week, so a second visit a few weeks later can turn up a different rack.
Quinceañera
The Quinceañera and Fiesta lines from House of Wu, plus Tiffany Princess
Bridal
Justin Alexander, Allure and Morilee gowns, with 90-minute bridal appointments
Built by a seamstress
The owner, Christine, built Bridal Elegance alongside her mother, and the store's stylist page describes her as a talented seamstress who has spent decades on service and craftsmanship. That background shows up in how seriously the salon treats fit. Dress fitting appointments are made by phone, and in-store alterations are available for dresses bought in the salon.
The store describes its own approach this way:
We pride ourselves on outstanding service and impeccable styles of wedding gowns, prom dresses, mother's gowns and social occasion attire.
It also says every dress and accessory is handpicked and passes a hands-on personal inspection, which is the kind of claim a family salon makes when it wants you to know someone has actually looked at the gown you are about to try on.
Tuxedos for the date
Cuffs Formal Wear, the store's tux shop in Millcreek Square, rents tuxedos and suits, and seniors who would rather keep a suit after prom can buy one there.
Cuffs Formal Wear
A rental built piece by piece
Pieces
Shirt, pant, vest, tie, suspenders and even the shoes
Rentals
3-piece, 4-piece and 5-piece versions
Suits to own
Slim fit and regular fit, with David Major slim fits listed at $299 and Italian-made Caravelli suits under $200
Suit colors
Grey, charcoal, midnight, cobalt, black and tan
Consultation
Book a tuxedo selection through the store's online appointment form
Bridal is still the core of the business, but prom shoppers will find the formal and party side has a life of its own. The booking page requires appointments for wedding gowns and lists no separate prom appointment.
Peach Street is the main shopping road through Millcreek Township, and the salon draws from schools all over northwestern Pennsylvania. McDowell High School, Millcreek's own, is the closest big school. Erie High School students come from the city, and families from Harbor Creek, Fairview, Fort LeBoeuf, General McLane, Girard and North East come out to Peach Street for prom season.
Prom questions for Bridal Elegance
Where does a prom date get a tuxedo?
At Cuffs Formal Wear, the store's tux shop in Millcreek Square. It rents 3-piece, 4-piece and 5-piece tuxedos and suits and also sells suits to own.
Can I return a prom dress?
No. The store says all sales are final, with no refunds, returns or exchanges.