Bridal Boutique Opens in Downtown

The Bridal Exchange Boutique became part of 's growing family of cozy boutiques Thursday, and owners Tracy Caron and Renee Perrelli want to celebrate in a big way.

Operating as both a consignment bridal shop and the physical office space for several wedding-related vendors, the creative team behind The Bridal Exchange Boutique are all coming together for their grand opening during .

"The vendors are putting on a giveaway for spa services; we'll be doing hair feathers, we'll be serving cake, and the photographer is offering discounts on all photography packages," Caron said. These are just a few of the bargains to be had at their storefront tonight.

There are several hands at work behind downtown's newest business, but make no mistake, Caron and Perrelli are the face of The Bridal Exchange Boutique. And it hasn't just been a labor of love for these long-time friends, but a labor of necessity, according to Tracy.

Her plan to renew her vows after 20 years of marriage was fraught with all the frustrations of a first-time bride.

"It was so frustrating, because the prices were so expensive, and whenever we went into the bridal stores they seemed to have no interest in my business," Caron said.

Perrelli supported her friend through two long years of trying to find the right dress at the right price without sacrificing the elegance and romance that she wanted.

"We kept saying to each other, there has to be something in a city the size of Atlanta, but there wasn't. There were no inexpensive consignments for just bridal," Perrelli said.

"It's kind of like the mother of invention," Caron added. "If it frustrates you, it must frustrate somebody else."

That way of thinking lead Caron, a former real estate agent, and Perrelli, a stay-at-home mom, to laying out a business concept: affordable sophistication with patient service.

"My experience is, when brides turn into bridezillas, it's because they feel like they're not being heard," Caron said of her sales philosophy. "They know what they want, but they're not sure how to articulate it, and they become overwhelmed. They just need someone to sit them down and tell them to take a breath and explain their vision."

Caron said she wants The Bridal Exchange Boutique to function as a one-stop shop for brides, with gowns ranging in size from 0 to 30 and vendors offering everything from spa treatment to wedding invitations, to simplify the hectic wedding process within a realistic budget. They even offer real estate services for couples who need to consolidate their homes.

Although Perrelli nods agreeably along as Caron describes her vision, her personal approach to the business has been a little more lighthearted.

"I could watch brides try on dresses all day," Perrelli joked. She lists this as one of her primary reasons for wanting to open a bridal boutique in the first place. It might come as a surprise that her motivations were so simple as she's considered to be easily the more business-minded of the two.

"She's the people person, I'm the paper person," said Perrelli of her partnership with Caron.

"I don't do paper," Caron added. "If someone hands me a piece of paper, or a Chinese food menu, I just pass it along to Renee."

The duo have an obvious chemistry and a passion for their work that creates a warm, relaxing atmosphere in their store, even with the ultra-modern decor of lavish purple and steely gray.

More importantly, they appear to be in it for the long haul. Even the location they've selected reflects a dedication to the business and the people who will shop there.

"Part of why we opened in this area is that we wanted to stay in Woodstock," Caron said. "We live here, so we wanted to work here and remain a part of the community."

The Bridal Exchange Boutique is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and by appointment only on evenings and Sundays.