We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tiffany Kelly. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tiffany below.

Tiffany, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Most girls grow up dreaming of her fairytale wedding. I did. I remember vividly in 1996 I was drawing a wedding dress and looking through my mom’s JC Penny catalog, the wedding section specifically, circling which dress I would wear and what colors my bridesmaids would look great in. Little did I know then, I would set out on a mission later to ensure brides of all shapes, colors, sizes, etc. would have one of the most memorable and unforgettable bridal dress shopping experiences in my very own bridal boutique.

Tiffany, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My noticeable accent gives me away every time, lol. After a few minutes into conversation with anyone from the DMV, they most certainly ask “Where are you from”? Born and raised in St. Louis, MO., I never thought I would move to the East Coast in 2019. Passionate about brides since I was a little girl, I have taken my love for perusing my moms JC Penny catalogs and circling every little detail of my future wedding to now planning future weddings for other brides-to-be.

I wanted to become a pharmacist but bridal fashion called me and I answered. When my older sister was getting married in 2011 she complained about dresses being so expensive and I asked if she would mind wearing someone else’s gently worn dress and it was at that moment a light bulb went off for me. I originally began my journey in bridal 10 years ago in St. Louis, focusing on bridal consignment. It’s a sustainable, eco-friendly way to share with future brides to be. After moving to the DMV in 2019 and opening HOK Bridal in the midst of the pandemic (2021), I decided to focus more on the bride who wants a signature experience no matter her budget, size, etc.

House of Ketubah Bridal is not your ordinary bridal shop. We offer beautiful designer wedding gowns and an unforgettable experience. HOK Bridal’s mission is to promote inclusivity and diversity in bridal, empowering women of all shapes and sizes to enjoy a memorable and signature shopping experience while selecting their dream dress. Our mission goes beyond the beautiful gowns we offer. We promote strong and healthy marriages.

The HOK Bride loves to have memorable experiences. She values friendship & relationships, and enjoys sharing special moments with her closest friends and family. The institution of marriage is sacred to her and she is vested in building her marriage on a strong foundation.

This is why I offer brides a more relaxed, and personable environment with the option to enjoy a tea Partea with her tribe! This unmatched experience along with our tea cafe and outdoor bridal deck sets us apart form other bridal shops. Our unique space is a an apartment, turned commercial space making brides feel at home and comfortable while dress shopping. We laugh, we cry (tears of joy when she says yes to the dress) and we make special memories. I am a bride’s bff, and I love every bit of each experience! I am most proud of the atmosphere I create for future brides, their family and friends as they shop for the perfect dress and prepare to embark on their new journey in life.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I took a risk (worth taking) opening HOK Bridal during the pandemic and that meant change was inevitable and at any time. Guest limits, restrictions and mask requirements meant I had to pivot and quickly. Walk-In appointments halted and operating by appointment only became my norm. Brides still needed to try on gowns in person and thought they had to forego family and friends being part of the experience. Zoom became my best friend. Setting up a virtual experience for the bride’s closest tribe to be present and watch her say yes to the dress made bride’s ecstatic! Bridal appointments have evolved. I decided to stick with the “by appointment” model as it is beneficial allowing full attention to go to a bride and her tribe.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Building a social media audience can be tough. Knowing who my target market is was crucial to my audience growing. Being myself and relatable to future brides is what helped me grow my presence. There are serious and funny moments during the wedding planning process and I try to highlight some of those moments. Future brides and their families want to know they are dealing with a “real” person and that they’re not just being sold a dress. Positive body image is extremely important so I ensure I share content with real customers that give honest feedback about their experience at HOK Bridal.

For those just starting to build a presence I would suggest being authentic, staying true to your brand and product and ensuring you make a connection with your target audience. Just trying to sell a product will only keep folks for so long. But being relatable regarding your product is what will make them want to get to know you and what you have to offer more.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hokbridal.com
• Instagram: @hokbridal
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hokbridal