After a decade in the wedding gown world, longtime friends Annie Corbin and Kate Applebaum have distilled their collective experience into their own bridal boutique. The shop is a welcome addition to the intersection of 50th and France in Edina, which has been lacking in bridal retailers since the closings of Monique Lhuillier and Priscilla of Boston in 2013 and 2012, respectively. (Fun fact: Corbin worked at both of those stores.)
Named as a nod to Minnesota’s Scandinavian heritage and also a combination of the co-owners’ names, Annika Bridal has a different theme for each of its dressing rooms and a Nordic-inspired aesthetic. Corbin and Applebaum worked closely with a decorator to bring their vision to life, with details such as a dried flower installation, wallpaper featuring traditional Swedish patterns, and light wood floors. “We wanted to offer an experience for our brides that wasn’t just pink and white,” says Applebaum.
What also sets Annika apart is its selection of gowns, many of which—such as Reem Acra, Marchesa, and Galia Lahav—are exclusive to the Midwest. The pair thoughtfully selects each dress, keeping the Minnesota bride in mind while taking some calculated risks. “We’d look at a dress and say, ‘We love it, but will it sell in our market?’” says Corbin. Adds Applebaum, “At the same time, we want to let the Minnesota bride be a little bit more fashionable instead of playing it safe with your typical strapless lace dress.”
Annika is unique in that Corbin and Applebaum are more than just proprietors of the store—they also take appointments and are on the sales floor selling. “We love the moment when a bride finds her dress,” says Corbin. “We love it so much we had to open our own store.”
Now open, 3940 W. 50th St., Edina 952-303-6801, annikabridal.com
