While trying to settle into retirement following 25 years of owning and operating a bridal boutique in St. Louis, Missouri, James and Ann Kang found the urge to once again walk the aisle, albeit trade show aisles, too hard to resist.

“I love bridal fashion,” Ann Kang said. “I retired for a year and a half. Then I got to go to bridal trade shows and couldn’t stay away.”

Backstory

The Kangs moved from Missouri to North Texas to be closer to their children, Chris and Ally. When they opened Chally Bridal and Prom in 2023, they merged their children’s names to create the business name.

What they offer


Blending their decades of industry experience with strong vendor connections, the married business partners have created what Ann Kang describes as a "wedding wonderland.”

“Officially this is the biggest bridal store in Texas, maybe in the nation,” James Kang said. “Obviously we want to have the best and largest selection of inventory in Texas.”

Bridal gowns are available in sizes ranging from four through 32.

“We have the largest amount of curvy dresses in stock,” James Kang said. “We felt like the plus-size consumer was kind of neglected.”


Ann Kang said she chooses inventory based on material, workmanship and price.

“I look at the dresses like I'm a consumer; I’m very fashion forward,” Ann Kang said. “I like to present unique styles to our brides.”

Customers will find a large selection of designers to choose from, including two of the more popular lines from Disney Fairy Tale Wedding and Randy Fenoli of "Say Yes To the Dress" fame.

The Kangs advise brides purchase a bridal gown a year prior to the wedding date, especially if customization is required; however, brides have purchased dresses off the rack.


“We listen to our brides [to learn] what they're looking for. After she tries on what she's looking for, we’ll also suggest what we think would look best on them,” Ann Kang said. “The bride will decide. It's ultimately her day and her decision.”

The experience

Reservations are required to try on bridal gowns and quincenara dresses. There are two types of bridal appointments: regular and VIP. There is no charge for a regular appointment, which is 90 minutes long and guided by a stylist.

“The VIP is a little bit more enhanced. It's two hours, private showroom, private runway, drinks and hors d’oeuvre are served,” Ann Kang said.


What else?

In addition to bridal gowns, Chally also sells special occasion dresses including quincenara, prom, mother of the bride and more.

“Prom girls don't want to buy the same dresses,” Ann Kang said. “They are very happy that we have different designers they are able to choose from ... which are more exclusive to our store.”

What makes them special


Many customers come from out of state to have the Chally bridal experience, the Kangs said. Once they say yes to the dress, the Chally robot brings them celebratory champagne.

“I love working with the brides and customers,” Ann Kang said. “Finding the beautiful, perfect gown they are dreaming about excites me and it is rewarding for me as well.”