Try It On
Local Resident Opens Finery Bridal Boutique
Writer / Renee Larr
Photographer / Sam Zachrich
Shawn Jackson never thought a suit for church would lead her to a career in the bridal industry, much less her own bridal boutique. Jackson opened Finery Bridal Boutique in Fishers on November 5.
I noticed a beautiful suit in the window of a boutique called the Posie Patch in Castleton, Jackson says. I went back a few times to look at it and see if it ever went on sale. The last time, I noticed a sign saying Now Hiring.
She applied for the job and never looked back.
Jackson worked with women who supported and encouraged her growth in the bridal industry along the way. She moved to Atlanta where she took an entry-level corporate job. She soon realized she missed the fun of working in a bridal boutique.
I ended up getting a part-time at Bridals by Lori from Say Yes to the Dress fame, Jackson says. Lori Allen inspired me to have my own boutique someday.
Finery Bridal offers dresses by up-and-coming designers, along with well-known national and international brands. Jackson is particularly proud to bring on Pantora Bridal, recently featured on the Amazon series Making the Cut. Her dresses range in price from $500 to $2,500.
I try to find moderately-priced vendors who can get dresses to me within six months, Jackson says. I would rather have fewer lines where I know I can get the dresses with a certain time frame. I offer Elly Couture, Moonlight Tango, Moonlight-Val Stefani, LuceSposa, and my private label, Finery by Shawn Marie. I design the dresses and have a production team who makes them.
The boutique is nestled in downtown Fishers. Jackson chose the area based on the lack of options for brides in Fishers.
I loved the idea of being in an old, antique house with the floors that creak and the bigger bedrooms, Jackson says. The bedrooms serve as bridal suites where brides can try on dresses. It just gives our store a more intimate, family-like environment.
Jackson waited to open her dream store until her son was in college. She felt she needed to focus all her time and attention on him until he graduated from high school.
I was poised to open last year but chose not to because of COVID, Jackson says. During that time I was selling veils and accessories online. I was just saving up and waiting. I started hearing from brides that they were ready to start having their weddings, so I thought now was a perfect time.
Jackson is a Fishers resident who finds joy in being a small part of a brides big day. She loves watching families come in together and bond over choosing the perfect dress.
I love building relationships with my brides and I can tell you from experience, the day they buy their dress isnt the last time I hear from them, Jackson says. They will call me and update me on their life or new babies. Its just a great feeling to help someone.
Finery Bridal Boutique is located at 11500 Lantern Road in Fishers. For more information, call 317-537-2136 or visit finerybridal.com.
