Down the Aisle Bridal Shop

Down the Aisle Bridal Shop VOTED #1 BRIDAL SHOP in CENTRAL ILLINOIS
OPEN by Appointment Only
Bridal, Bridesmaids, Mother's Gowns, Flower Girl/Ring Bearer, Bridal Accessories, & More

We have so many new followers, so we’d like to take a moment to welcome all of our new brides and congratulate you! ✨💍 W...
03/06/2025

We have so many new followers, so we’d like to take a moment to welcome all of our new brides and congratulate you! ✨💍 We are so excited for you and hope we can help you find the most perfect piece of clothing you’ll ever own!

Give us a follow on Instagram! 🤍

Welcome to Down The Aisle Bridal Shop, the place where you will find the most important piece of clothing you’ll ever ow...
02/28/2025

Welcome to Down The Aisle Bridal Shop, the place where you will find the most important piece of clothing you’ll ever own! Founded by Rachel O'Kane, our shop is dedicated to ensuring an exceptional and inclusive experience for every customer.

Rachel’s journey began ten years ago when planning her own wedding. After facing mean-girl attitudes at other bridal shops, she realized how important it was to create a space where all women—regardless of their body shape, size, or color—could feel celebrated and respected.

In 2021, Rachel transformed a historic building that formerly housed Her Majesty’s Tea Room in her hometown of Dunlap into Down The Aisle Bridal Shop. This location holds a special place in her heart, as it was a spot she cherished visiting with her grandmother.

At Down The Aisle, we believe that finding the perfect wedding dress should be a memorable experience. Our mission extends beyond just brides; we proudly cater to mothers, bridesmaids, flower girls, ring bearers, and anyone attending special events like homecomings and proms.

We are excited to be a part of your wedding journey. Thank you for choosing our business to get you ready to walk down the aisle.

Thank you so much, Mariah, for the kind words! We absolutely loved having you as one of our brides, and you looked breat...
02/14/2025

Thank you so much, Mariah, for the kind words! We absolutely loved having you as one of our brides, and you looked breathtakingly beautiful on your wedding day. ❤️

A moment for the dress: This gorgeous fit-and-flare gown features elegant frosted lace appliqués with glittering crystallized beading. The V-neck bodice showcases sheer plunging details and illusion sides. Beaded straps accentuate the open back, while the sparkly net skirt adds an extra dose of glamorous shimmer.

Hey moms! We just had to share some of these new arrivals for you to swoon over like we have been. 😍Which one is your fa...
02/11/2025

Hey moms! We just had to share some of these new arrivals for you to swoon over like we have been. 😍

Which one is your favorite? We love them all too, but let us know which one caught your eye!

Thank you so much Kelsie for the amazing feedback. We loved having you as one of our brides 🥂🤍✨
02/05/2025

Thank you so much Kelsie for the amazing feedback. We loved having you as one of our brides 🥂🤍✨

New Dress Drop: Moms Edition 🥂Hey moms! Big announcement: we just received a huge amount of new dresses for moms! They a...
02/04/2025

New Dress Drop: Moms Edition 🥂

Hey moms! Big announcement: we just received a huge amount of new dresses for moms! They are perfect for all the summer and fall weddings we know you have coming up!

Make your appointment with us today!

Thank you so much Rianne ❤️We absolutely loved having you here and can’t wait to help you find your dream dress as well ...
01/28/2025

Thank you so much Rianne ❤️We absolutely loved having you here and can’t wait to help you find your dream dress as well for your future wedding!

Hey moms!!! We want to know: is your kiddo having a fall/ winter wedding or a spring/summer wedding? Let us know! 🥂✨    ...
01/27/2025

Hey moms!!! We want to know: is your kiddo having a fall/ winter wedding or a spring/summer wedding? Let us know! 🥂✨

Rachel O’Kane is the owner and heart and soul behind Down The Aisle Bridal Shop.Many of you have seen her beautiful smil...
01/17/2025

Rachel O’Kane is the owner and heart and soul behind Down The Aisle Bridal Shop.

Many of you have seen her beautiful smiling face at shows or even during your own appointment. But why exactly did she start Down The Aisle? Well, when Rachel was planning her wedding to marry her awesome husband Ian 10 years ago, she went to several local bridal shop and was immediately treated as if she shouldn’t be stepping foot into their store. These shops were not body-positive and judged a book by its cover. This left Rachel feeling extremely hurt, and she left the store empty-handed. She eventually found a bridal shop that treated her with respect and love. It was not only where Rachel found her dream dress but also the inspiration for her “why” behind Down The Aisle Bridal Shop.

Many years later, in 2021, Her Majesty’s Tea Room came up for sale in Dunlap, IL. Coincidentally, this was a place Rachel frequented with her grandmother and held a special place in her heart. Rachel purchased this building and this was the beginning of Down The Aisle Bridal Shop.

Rachel wanted a place where women of all shapes, sizes, and colors could find the most important piece of clothing they will ever purchase: their wedding dress! This soon grew to serve not only brides but also mothers, bridesmaids, flower girls, ring bearers, homecoming attendees, and prom-goers!

Rachel turned a hurtful negative experience into a mission to provide a positive and loving experience to everyone who walks into Down The Aisle Bridal Shop.

Cheers to Rachel and her heart—she’s beautiful inside and out. We love you, Rachel!

Love,
Your Down The Aisle Team

Let’s be real. Let’s be vulnerable. Let’s sort this color thing out….As most of you know, Down the Aisle is owned and op...
01/14/2025

Let’s be real. Let’s be vulnerable. Let’s sort this color thing out….

As most of you know, Down the Aisle is owned and operated by a curvy woman *see attached picture*

Often when our Mom’s come in for their appointment, they dread the dress shopping experience because they have been given a neutral colors like champagne, dusty rose, rose gold, blush, etc. that they are “supposed to wear” to appease the bride and groom.

While colors like champagne coordinate effortlessly with the accent colors for the wedding, not a lot of thought is put in to how it would actually look on Moms. As Mom’s we have given our kids the impression that we are made of steel- but sometimes seeing ourselves in a way we don’t want to see ourselves hurts our self esteem.

Today, I did something brave, I put on the same dress in both colors and did a side by side so one of our Moms could share the difference with her son and future daughter in-law.

There’s no body shaming here, but it is clear that one color (the darker color) hides lumps and bumps better.

And while I fully subscribe to the philosophy of loving our bodies as they are because thats how those closest see and love us, I also know that when it comes to our kid’s wedding day, we want to look our very best, be confident in the dress we wear, and be proud to show off those photos….

… So, if you find yourself in this situation, please feel free to steal this picture of me and show the difference to the bride and groom because we’re not all a size 0 like the models!

Stock photo for reference in the comments

Laurie will be at The Vault at Reserve Artisan Ales with the Knox County Weddings Expo today from 11-2 in Galesburg!! Co...
01/12/2025

Laurie will be at The Vault at Reserve Artisan Ales with the Knox County Weddings Expo today from 11-2 in Galesburg!! Come see us and learn more about what makes Down the Aisle ‘the’ destination for your bridal shopping needs!

At Down the Aisle Bridal Shop, we adore the trend of statement wedding veil trains! These stunning veils add a touch of ...
01/03/2025

At Down the Aisle Bridal Shop, we adore the trend of statement wedding veil trains! These stunning veils add a touch of drama and elegance, creating a breathtaking look for our brides. With options that extend beyond traditional lengths and feature intricate lace or floral details, they perfectly complement any gown. Our curated selection ensures you’ll find the ideal veil to enhance your bridal style and create unforgettable photo moments.

Book your appointment with us today! 🥂✨We can’t wait to meet you!

💍

Hey Brides! ✨One thing you can always count on with us here at Down The Aisle is that we will always celebrate every sin...
01/02/2025

Hey Brides! ✨One thing you can always count on with us here at Down The Aisle is that we will always celebrate every single body. We believe every bride deserves to look and feel absolutely stunning on her wedding day, and we make sure of that! From our exclusive appointments to our inclusive sizing and support from start to finish, we ensure you feel as beautiful as you are!

Schedule your appointment with us today! We can’t wait to help you find the most important piece of clothing you will ever purchase!

**NEW YEAR’S GIVEAWAY! 🎉🥂**As we welcome the new year, we want to celebrate YOU and all the love you’ve brought to our b...
12/30/2024

**NEW YEAR’S GIVEAWAY! 🎉🥂**

As we welcome the new year, we want to celebrate YOU and all the love you’ve brought to our bridal shop! To show our gratitude, we’re excited to offer THREE lucky winners **$250 off their dream dress!**

**Here’s how to enter:**
1. Like this post.
2. Tag your friends in the comments! (Every tag = one entry, so tag away!)
3. Share this post to your story and don’t forget to tag us so we can see your entry!

**IMPORTANT:** Both you AND your friend must be following us to win!

Winners will be contacted on **January 10th !** Get ready to kick off the new year with some fabulous savings and treat yourself and your BFF to the perfect dress!

Let’s start the year with love, gratitude, and a little sparkle! Who are you tagging first? ✨💖

** noting we will contact you personally if you win. This is our only page**

✨ Statement backs on wedding gowns are all the rage this season! These stunning designs add an unexpected twist to the t...
12/29/2024

✨ Statement backs on wedding gowns are all the rage this season! These stunning designs add an unexpected twist to the traditional bridal look, making a memorable impact as you walk down the aisle. From intricate lace detailing to bold cutouts and elegant embellishments, a statement back can showcase your unique style and personality. Whether you prefer a classic or modern vibe, there’s a breathtaking option for every bride. Embrace the beauty and let your gown tell your story from every angle! 🥂 Schedule your bridal appointment with us today and see these stunning statement backs on yourself!

What do you think about statement backs?

This sweet mom and daughter duo were ones for us to remember! Bride Amanda wore mom Nicole’s wedding veil on her wedding...
12/23/2024

This sweet mom and daughter duo were ones for us to remember! Bride Amanda wore mom Nicole’s wedding veil on her wedding day. We live for these special moments shared with us. We can’t wait for so many of you moms out there to have your special day with your babies as well!
photography

Why choose Down The Aisle Bridal Shop for your dream wedding experience? ✨ 1. Body Inclusivity-  We celebrate all sizes,...
12/20/2024

Why choose Down The Aisle Bridal Shop for your dream wedding experience?

✨ 1. Body Inclusivity- We celebrate all sizes, ensuring every bride finds her perfect fit.
🤍 Private Appointments- Enjoy a personalized and intimate shopping experience.
👰 Support from Start to Finish- Our dedicated team is with you every step of the way.
💖 Dream Dress Awaits- We’re committed to making your bridal vision a reality.

Schedule an appointment with us today and walk down the aisle in your dream dress… as it is the most important piece of clothing you will ever purchase!

💍

Book your appointment TODAY at Down the Aisle Bridal Shop. Down the Aisle Bridal Shop is a size inclusive and body positivity focused bridal shop.

What’s new in the mom’s gown world? This stunner! 😍This stunning gown is perfect for the mother of the bride or groom. I...
12/17/2024

What’s new in the mom’s gown world? This stunner! 😍

This stunning gown is perfect for the mother of the bride or groom. It hugs your curves with a flattering fit-and-flare silhouette, featuring a sweetheart neckline and a lovely oversized bow on the bodice. The Larissa satin dress is adorned with sparkling jeweled and beaded embroidery, and the buttons that run down to the hem add a classic touch.

It's a beautiful choice for such a special occasion!

Address

211 N Second Street
Dunlap, IL
61525

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