Job Spotlight with Sarah Oliver, owner of Uptown Gowns

Sarah Oliver says she has a passion for making women feel beautiful.

She works with them at a time when feeling that way is never more important.

As owner of Uptown Gowns on Airport Thruway in Columbus, Oliver works to match up prospective brides with the wedding dresses that will match their dreams.

The bridal boutique has been open about seven months, but the idea for it had been in Oliver’s mind for years.

“I’ve known for a long time I wanted to own my own business but I just didn’t think it would be possible,” she said.

Being a young mother with no selling experience, Oliver found banks unhelpful. She needed financial support from her father to make the shop a reality.

She said it was “scary” getting started.

Oliver considers the shop a family business as her three sisters, Jennifer Burton, Abigail Burton and Hannah Burton, all help make the boutique a success.

“Through the years, we have bought a lot of dresses,” she said, smiling.

She has always loved weddings and had been to many, but the key reason she chose to open a bridal boutique is the memory of her own search for a wedding dress.

“I did not have a pleasant experience at all. I did not get a lot of help. Nobody seemed to enjoy what they were doing. My mom had to help me into the gowns. Marriage is something to be celebrated,” she said.

Doing this work allows her to join in a lot of celebrations.

“I want to play a small role in somebody’s love story,” she said.

She calls her business an “Atlanta bridal store in Columbus.” The bridal lines of top designers such as David Tutera, Sophia Tolli and Maggie Sottero are on display.

When a woman puts on a dress and walks down a special runway in the store, the question Oliver asks is: “Do you see yourself getting married to your Prince Charming in this gown?”

Oliver spoke with the Ledger-Enquirer recently about her job. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

What does it cost for a wedding dress these days?

The average cost is about $1,500. We have dresses from $1,100 to $2,400.

What is special about the dresses you sell?

Our dresses are all hand-made and hand-beaded. We are the exclusive distributor of what we sell. Nobody within 60 miles sells what we have.

You sell more than wedding dresses, don’t you?

We have dresses for the entire bridal party. We have shoes, jewelry and handbags.

Can people just walk in?

They can. On Mondays, we see people only by appointment.

You said you like to show love to all the women.

We celebrate women the way they are. Some women come in and begin putting themselves down. We embrace them. When they leave, I want them to say, “I feel more beautiful than when I came in here.”

You want women to know you are excited about their wedding, don’t you?

Our purpose is making a difference. A wedding is a special event, and somebody should appreciate it as much as they do.

Is it difficult to find the right size?

If we don’t have the size in what they like, we can get if for them.

Do the styles change a lot?

Yes, we have to stay on top of what’s new.

What about colors?

These days, some brides are getting ivory or blush rather than white. 

Do different types of weddings call for different types of gowns?

We don’t want a bride wearing a puffy ball gown on the beach in the middle of August.

We have heard horror stories about “bridezillas.” How true is that?

We don’t have a problem with many brides. It is a stressful time. We work with them all.

Is it often someone else who is the problem?

Some family and friends test our patience. We remind the brides that it is their wedding. Some mothers forget that. Part of our job is mediation.

Do customers often arrive looking for something in particular?

Sometimes, they will bring a photograph of a dress they like but it is not one that is going to be flattering on their body.

Can you tell when a woman really likes a dress?

I can tell by the way they look at themselves when they put it on that it is the one they’ll get.

You also sell veils.

Whatever the customer wants, we can make it happen for them.

Do customers ask about help in other areas of the wedding such as florists, caterers, DJs, travel agents?

We have a book with our preferred vendors.

Bio

Name: Sarah Oliver

Age: 24

Occupation: Owner of Uptown Gowns in Columbus 

Home: Originally from Cataula, Ga., now lives in Phenix City.

Education: Harris County High School

Previous Jobs: She has worked as a receptionist at a tanning salon and did medical billing.

Other Activities: Active at Beallwood Baptist Church.

Family: She is married to Mitchell Oliver, a soldier, and has two daughters, Olivia and Lucy.

This story was originally published August 15, 2015 at 8:59 PM with the headline "Job Spotlight with Sarah Oliver, owner of Uptown Gowns."