Working with brides ‘just natural’ for owner of new Camas bridal shop

Your Big Day, a new Camas-based bridal shop in the One Stop Shopping Center that opened in January, blends the best of two worlds: weddings and travel. "This is a new challenge," says owner and bridal consultant Anna Baldwin about her newly opened Your Big Day shop, which carries a wide range of bridal, bridesmaid, flower girl and prom dresses as well as shoes and accessories. Before opening Your Big Day, Baldwin had worked in the bridal industry for 18 years, primarily planning destination weddings and honeymoon trips. Now, Baldwin says, she can combine both areas of expertise -- helping couples find clothes and accessories for their weddings, but also helping them plan destination weddings and honeymoons at her expanded travel-bridal business. Baldwin can serve as a liaison between brides and grooms and wedding coordinators in locations such as Hawaii or Mexico, and is able to coordinate wedding guests' travels. "I work with brides in a different stage of wedding planning," she explains. "It complements the travel services." Baldwin's stepmother, Kim Holmes, who sometimes helps out at the shop, says the expansion of products and services, available at Your Big Day, is a perfect fit for Baldwin. "I could have seen this coming a long time ago," Holmes says of her stepdaughter's newly expanded business. "She loves the destination travel and working with the brides. She concentrates on the individual and does not push a special package. It's just natural for her." Some of the dresses at Your Big Day also are appropriate for destination weddings. "They are simple and elegant, lightweight fabrics," Baldwin says. Baldwin explains that there is an advantage to seeing the products in-person at her store versus ordering them from an online company and potentially being disappointed if they don't look the way that they do in promotional photos. "Women can buy and take the dresses on the same day," she adds. "That is great for last-minute brides." Appointments can be made with a seamstress, who is available to make alterations from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. every Wednesday. Bridesmaid dresses can be ordered or bought off the rack. They are available in pastels and muted colors, as well as jewel tones such as navy and eggplant. "Blush and greys are really popular now," Baldwin says. The color range of women's shoes, available at Your Big Day, includes silver, white, black and gold. The shop also carries accessories, including tiaras, garters, purses, ring pillows, bracelets, necklaces and hair pins. Your Big Day also rents and sells tuxedos and shoes for men and boys. Men's business suits can be ordered and purchased. Preparing Your Big Day to open in January involved two months' worth of work, including the replacement of floors and adding dressing rooms to the 2,450-square-foot space. Baldwin's husband, Chris, also made custom display areas. "It was a labor of love," Baldwin, a Camas resident of three years, says. Her goal is to be a local provider of formal wear for proms and weddings. "I want to grow a thriving business for myself and my family," Baldwin said. "Camas-Washougal is very community oriented." Holmes agrees with her step daughter and says she enjoys learning about how couples met. "I also like hearing prom kids talk about high school and the social part of that," Holmes says. "I have an affinity for teens. It's tough on them. It's fun to hear them in a relaxed atmosphere. They start trying on the dresses, and they look so pretty. We try to make it as fun as possible for them. I like where we are. Camas has that small town feel, but big town sophistication." Your Big Day, 3516 N.E. Third Ave., is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Saturday and Sunday, For more information, call 360-844-7148, email destwedpro@gmail.com or visit www.yourbigdaycamas.com.

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