Suzy Taylor, owner of House of Taylor Bridal, isn’t new to Downtown Lubbock or the wedding industry. She is, however, new to owning a bridal boutique–you’d never know it, though.
International Moves + Career Shifts
Taylor, originally from New Zealand, started her life in Texas in Houston and found her way to Lubbock. She’s worked as a photographer (weddings, maternity, family, senior portraits) for 13 years at her downtown studio on Broadway.
When a friend approached Taylor, wondering if she’d be interested in buying a bridal gown boutique, it took a while before she was ready to jump in. But just days after she did, a space right down the street from her photography studio became available, and Taylor knew this was where she was meant to serve brides looking for their dream wedding gown.
Ready to put a personal spin on the boutique formerly known as Ready to I Do, Taylor began her rebrand, which included the name the boutique goes by now.
“I think it really just elevated the space… I wanted something that sounded edgy, metropolitan, that could stand the test of time,” said Taylor. “And I wanted to pay homage to myself and have some sort of a legacy to pass on, even if it is just an income, earning something for my family.”
And thus, the rise of the House of Taylor began.
The House of Taylor Way
It's clear Taylor has put intention into more than just her brand—listening to her talk about the experience she hopes to provide for brides and how she wants her, her team, and her dresses to make them feel is when House of Taylor truly shines.
First, Taylor decided to toss out many of the traditional “rules” other boutiques adhere to, making the environment welcoming and comfortable for brides and their “I do” crews.
House of Taylor works with one to two brides at a time, providing an intimate, personalized experience that never feels rushed or overwhelming. Each bride is greeted with a glass of champagne and encouraged to bring along as large of a support squad as she wishes.
“If they want to bring 20 people and they want to sit on the floor, they can… We want them to feel at home,” Taylor explained.
Not only does the team at House of Taylor set out to make a bride feel at home, but they also work incredibly hard to help women feel beautiful–not just in their gowns, but in their own skin.
“I have a lot of brides come in and say, 'I want a ball gown because I don't like my stomach,' or 'I want sleeves because I don't like my arms.’ But when they find the dress, it shows them how beautiful they really are—that the rest of it doesn't matter,” Taylor began as she delivered a movie-esque monologue. “I think as women, we all get hung up on the negatives of our bodies. And I see that in every size that comes in… They don't like that they can see their belly button through a dress or don't like that they have little dips in their hips, or whatever, but it's valid to them. So it's just trying to find them dresses that make them feel beautiful despite those things.”
True to Taylor’s words above, House of Taylor offers dresses for every kind of bride. Whether that be plus-sized and split-sizing, or a bride looking to step outside the bounds of a classic white dress, you’ll find various styles of gowns, including ones with floral appliques and ones in black.
The team travels as far as Chicago for bridal markets, ensuring they’re able to see and touch the gowns that will eventually be in their boutique in person, ensuring they have styles for every bride and wedding “vibe,” and that the quality meets House of Taylor standards.
Settling Into Downtown Life
Back at home, Taylor raves about Downtown Lubbock and knows it’s where House of Taylor is meant to be.
“More people are moving in, so I'm excited to see what happens,” Taylor said as she discussed the area’s growth. “It's only going to get better and busier from here–just seeing all the buildings being beautified, but also in a respectful way–keeping the character.”
When talking about fellow Downtown business owners, Taylor encouraged everyone to take a walk, shop around, and let the experiences find you. However, as a native New Zealander, she couldn’t help but show some extra love for Nashwell Cafe. The Australian bakery and cafe sells a sausage roll that Taylor says reminds her of home, and she urged all of us to try one (likening them to breakfast tacos for Texans!).
House of Taylor is less than a year old, so as they continue to settle in, implement some of the industry’s leading technology, and receive their first major dress shipment (40 new gowns!), its future looks bright–and full of tulle.
If you or a loved one will be walking down the aisle soon, make sure to stop by. And if you’re looking for professional photos, Taylor will continue to run Suzy Taylor Photography.
We’re so excited to watch as House of Taylor Bridal plays a part in Lubbock-area love stories!
