Gamberdella
Do you ever wonder how a family business is run? How to maintain its legacy? Or how to have a long lasting business? Well, Gamberdella is your family legacy boutique. What’s the best thing about them? They make sure to “turn your bridal shopping into a joyful experience that you will cherish and remember for a lifetime”. You can find their boutique at 30W Pennsylvania Avenue.
Why and how did you start/acquire Gamberdella?
Mary and her mother, Rita Gamberdella opened their store in 1978. Little did they know, they would touch the lives of so many brides and their families. Rita, who had been making wedding gowns for family for years, teamed up with her daughter Mary to create a space for brides searching for a timeless, elegant look. Since its very beginning, Gamberdella has been a family business, employing dozens and dozens of family members over their 40 years in business.
Describe your boutique in four words
Welcoming, Classic, Happy, Relaxed. We always have a good time.
What do you love most about your job?
The people! We love building long lasting relationships with our brides. Our brides become part of our family. We are fortunate enough to now be at the point in our career, to be working with a second generation of brides whose mother wore a Gamberdella gown. It is truly so special to watch a bride during the happiest time in her life.
What tips would you offer brides?
Buying a wedding dress is not just about the dress. You must feel confident in your decision not only in your dress, but the shop and those assisting you. When you feel like you have found your dream gown, stop shopping. Brides can drive themselves crazy in an endless search, often getting overwhelmed. Just like when you found your fiancé, when you know, you know!
What is your current favourite wedding dress trend?
We love the move back to a fuller skirt. When else would you get to wear a princess gown? We always say, go big or go home!
What is your favourite gown from the Lis Simon 2020 collection and why?
Luna! Like we said, we love a good full skirt! The lace on the bodice is delicate and romantic, paired with the perfect amount of skirt to make you feel like a bride.
What are you hoping to see in the Lis Simon 2021 collection?
With so many things up in the air due to the pandemic, no matter the circumstance, you can’t go wrong with a classic gown. Whether it is in your backyard with close family, or at your venue, a soft, classic a-line will fit any setting. We love the movement of the chiffon skirts as well as the softness of a lace bodice.
Any exciting news or upcoming events for Gamberdella?
We are excited to start up our trunk shows again with new gowns! Due to the shutdowns, we missed our spring trunk shows so we are excited to start again in the new year! Our brides love the opportunity to view an entire collection of our featured designers. You can view our trunk show schedule here.
What do the next few months have in store for Gamberdella?
We are so excited to continue using our instore technology to help our brides plan their wedding amidst the current situation. We have a life-size screen in our fitting room that allows brides to invite friends and family from all over the world to join in for their appointments! Along with our greenscreen technology, that helps brides envision themselves at their venue while trying on dresses. Like many, we are constantly adapting to the everchanging environment to meet the needs of our brides.
