Scruggs Photography

Mimi's Bridal in Laurel, MS is a true Horatio Alger story. This family business began in a small fabric store and is now one of Mississippi's largest and best bridal stores. Certainly, Mimi's Bridal is the largest bridal store in the Pine Belt and Southeast Mississippi. In addition to bridal, Mimi's offers tuxedos, bridesmaids and mothers' dresses, plus prom and pageant. Over the years many brides featured in the pages of Premier Bride of Mississippi have gotten their gowns from Mimi's Bridal.

April & Paul Photography

How long have you been in business?

We have been in business for 20 years. This is our 20 ^th year.

How did you get started?

We got started, believe it or not, as a fabric store. I have always loved beautiful fabrics and fashion and liked to sew. When a local store here in Laurel, Mississippi, went out of business, we just thought we would open up a fabric business. Back at that time, a lot of people did a lot of sewing. After we had been in the fabric business for a little while, we realized not as many people sewed as I thought they did. We thought, "Why not start with a few wedding gowns and see what that would do." We only started off with maybe a half of dozen gowns. Over the years, we have just grown to what you see today. Now we are just a bridal store, not a fabric store anymore.

When you started as a fabric store, did you want to tailor towards wedding gowns?

Oh no, I never even thought of owning a bridal store, ever! Even though I should have seen the handwriting on the wall because back before I opened the store I directed weddings, played for weddings, catered weddings and sewed for weddings. In my earlier years, I just always have been involved in weddings one way or the other. I guess it was just a natural thing.

We've loved the few weddings dresses that we started off with, but girls would come in and say "Is this all you have?" That was the open door to go ahead and keep adding more wedding dresses. Now of course we carry the top lines that brides are interested in wearing for their wedding.

Sharon Coker Photography

Were the original dresses ones that you made or were they purchased from various designers?

We never did make wedding dresses. The original dresses that we carried were from different designers. We did though make bridesmaids dresses. We started off custom making those for different girls. We ordered the fabric and made bridesmaid dresses. Then we soon changed that because time did not permit for us custom making those dresses. Then we began to have a lot of different vendors from where they could order the bridesmaid dresses.

When you first started, what was your vision that you hoped to accomplish?

My husband told me this, "I know what we are going to do; we are just going to open up a store where you can share what you know with other people." It was with my husband's encouragement as to how we got started. It was just meant to be.

What do you like most about what you do?

What we like the most is seeing that girl's face when she finds "the dress." Her expression is one of the most rewarding and exciting parts of my day.

What advice do you have for those searching for their perfect wedding gown?

I tell the girls when they come in to try on at least six different styles. Nine times out of ten, a bride purchases opposite of what she says that she wants. You just have to try on various styles to see what will look the best.

April & Paul Photography

Do you have a favorite designer?

I really do not have a favorite designer. They are all just great. The styles today are better than ever before and truly beautiful.

What styles do you see for 2016?

I really think it will be a carry-over of the styles from 2015. There will be gowns with sheer backs, low backs, and lace. Gowns are trending towards simple and beautiful fabrics.

Tell us about you and your company: what you do, special services, products, exclusives, etc.

We call ourselves the one stop shop for your wedding. We do carry wedding gowns through size 30. I realized from the very beginning that brides come in all sizes. We do not cater to one particular size, because all brides are important and want to look beautiful on that day.

We also have a great selection of bridesmaids' dresses, tuxedos, mother-of-the bride and grandmother's gowns, and flower girl dresses. You can plan the entire look of your wedding at once place.

We are known as the friendliest store and the most helpful store. There is no high pressure here at all. You can come and be relaxed and plan your wedding once you decide on your dress.

Charlotte Stringer Photography

With all your years of experience in the wedding industry, what advice would you like to offer to a bride?

I would like to advise the bride to be open to suggestions for styles for her wedding gown. Then when she finds "the dress," do not look anymore and close the door on dress shopping; it's time to get on with the rest of the wedding.

How far in advance does a bride need to select a dress with the deadline to custom order?

Really to order a gown, it does take 6 months. I think 9 months to one year ahead of the wedding is fine to order a gown. I do not suggest 2 years ahead of the wedding, because that is too early and things can change in that amount of time.

Sharon Coker Photography

Can any of your dresses be purchased off the rack for those brides who do not have ample time to order a wedding gown?

We have probably at least 700 dresses on our floor that brides can shop from to make their selection. If they do not have time to order, they can purchase right off the floor.

Any funny stories to share (no names please)?

I thought about that and there really isn't any one particular thing that stands out to me. We are just very serious in what we do and we just do everything that we can to make sure that the bride's wedding goes perfect.

What would you say has been your mission that has driven you to succeed over these past 20 years?

Our mission has been to take the stress away from the bride and her family. When a wedding get close, everybody gets nervous. A wedding is a time of celebration and of joy. We try to keep the bride and her family calm. Let me (Mimi) do the worrying and you enjoy the wedding. You are in perfectly good hands with us. Our mission from day one has been to do everything we can to make sure your wedding day is perfect. Money does not matter as far as the way that we treat people. I want every costumer to be treated the same when they walk through our doors. We build our business on customer service and being friendly to all customers.

I would love for you to come by and visit Mimi's. If you have not heard of us before, we would welcome your visit. You can try on dresses that first visit or see what we have to offer you for your wedding. We are happy to answer any questions.

Do you have any good advice that you would like to pass along to brides before they embark on their marriage?

Mimi chuckles and says, "The main thing is to find the right man!"

Stevie Ramos Photography

Mimi's Bridal & Formalwear is located at 515 North 16th Avenue, Laurel, Mississippi 39440. You can contact Mimi and her helpful staff by calling, 601-649-6006. Visit Mimi's website and Facebook page to see the beautiful gowns and formalwear offered: www.mimisbridal.com