Cover Story Laurel Wreath Bridal offers luxury, private appointments in a beautiful setting 18 • <strong>Sept</strong>/<strong>Oct</strong> <strong>2019</strong> • Southern Indiana Living Story by Darian Eswine Photos by Michelle Hockman
When starting Laurel Wreath Bridal, Laurie Haag had already had her hand in the wedding business for seven years, running The Loft on Spring — a wedding and event venue. “Pretty much what happened is, I was taking care of a lot of brides over at The Loft, and on the tour appointments, they would say things like, ‘Oh, I just came from picking my dress,’” Haag said. “I was like, I kind of would love to do that.” Haag has experience working in the bridal industry, and combined with her design and marketing background, she was ready for the challenge. Laurel Wreath opened in January 2016. “Helping girls feel beautiful and have special days is important to me, and so I thought that would be a great extension, and so I’ve had many Loft brides that have done every single thing with me, down to their dress,” Haag said. Although the space at The Loft wasn’t necessarily conducive to the full wedding experience — with hair, makeup, etc. — the space at Laurel Wreath Bridal is able to meet any need. There’s the bridal boutique, but across the hall there’s also a “Beauty Lounge” with stations for hairdressers or makeup artists, a dressing room and a sitting area. “I have a daughter that’s a hairdresser, so it was a way to kind of bring my whole family into the thing. I thought, well, wouldn’t it be a really cool concept to do like an actual wedding day ‘Beauty Lounge,’” Haag said. Brides can rent the space, and snacks, drinks and mimosas are part of their package. “Photographers love it — there’s great lighting,” Haag said. “We think it’s kind of been a great little win for downtown New Albany. I feel like I have my hand on every little thing that has to do with weddings down here.” One of the reasons she opened a venue in the first place was because she used to work on the opposite end, booking venues for radio events. After having some good experiences and some bad ones, Haag thought it would be great if she could open her own venue with her own unique touches. “So when I stumbled upon the space where The Loft on Spring is now — it’s very small; I call it ‘grand, but intimate,’ it felt like something I could really do something special and unique with.” Haag said that The Loft on Spring is pretty booked on all of the major wedding season months, along with public events and smaller events. Overall, they do 70 to 75 events a year at The Loft on Spring, and Lauren Ellis, bride, with assistant Allison Hoffer “Photographers love it — there’s great lighting. We think it’s kind of been a great little win for downtown New Albany. I feel like I have my hand on every little thing that has to do with weddings down here.” - Laurie Haag Owner, Laurel Wreath Bridal Southern Indiana Living • <strong>Sept</strong>/<strong>Oct</strong> <strong>2019</strong> • 19