New pop-up opening at Bradley Fair next month has one important customer in mind

A disappointing shopping experience for one bride is now leading to what hopefully will be a better experience for a lot of other brides at a new pop-up store in Bradley Fair.

In early 2012, a newly engaged Ericia Stevens was excited to start shopping for a bridal gown by checking out some Wichita bridal shops just to see what was available.

Instead, she said she was rather rudely told that she had to make an appointment and couldn’t look around.

“I had a horrible shopping experience,” Stevens said. “They weren’t considerate at what my journey looked like as a bride.”

She ended up going back home to Texas to find her gown.

“In the back of my head, it always lived there that we should do better for girls during this time in their lives.”

Then, about eight years ago, Stevens was sitting in a Newton coffee shop across from what eventually became her Bella Veil Bridal space.

“Well, you know, nobody else is focusing on the experience, so maybe I should.”

That’s what she’s done for the last seven years and what she now plans to also do in Wichita through a pop-up Bella Veil shop she’s opening next month at Bradley Fair between Soma and Carhartt.

“It’s just a quaint little bridal shop,” Stevens said of her business. “It’s just a nice, relaxed atmosphere.”

Though she does require an appointment to try on dresses, Stevens said brides don’t have to have one to simply come in and see what her store offers and ask questions.

“Brides are always welcome to come browse.”

Stevens approached Bradley Fair about the pop-up store so she can test the Wichita market.

At the Newton store, Stevens focuses on dresses valued at $1,700 and under.

Bradley Fair dresses will start at $1,500 and will include designs from “Say Yes to the Dress” host Randy Fenoli.

As Stevens gets in dresses from other designers, she said she’ll have trunk shows to highlight them.

She said the average price for gowns nationally is between $1,800 and $2,200.

Stevens hopes to open the pop-up store by May 1, but she said if she’s ready before then, she’ll start taking appointments and helping brides on their own dress journeys.

“Brides are not generally well educated with what to expect when it comes to dress shopping,” she said.

Stevens said she’s excited to be in Wichita, perhaps even permanently if it makes sense for the store and Bradley Fair.

“I would love that.”

This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 11:29 AM.