The Bridal Bar

“The Bridal Bar is best described as a wonderful and very pretty lifeboat for the hapless bride to be in Los Angeles, where Harm and her crew nurse you with champagne, show you some very thoroughly screened vendor samples and tell you in a firm but reassuring voice that ‘it’s all going to be OK.’ I stumbled into the Bar for the first time several months ago, fresh off a ‘deer in the headlights’ moment from reading the stack of bridal propaganda I’d picked up at the newsstand. Harm’s colleague took down my vitals, cooed soothing and supportive and showed me book after book of pretty flowers and exciting rentals.”
—Tamara, in Wed This

“I don’t know what brides did before the Bridal Bar came along. What could be better than a one-place stop to shop for the best wedding vendors in town? I tell all of my brides about it and have never been disappointed. Harmony goes above and beyond to make sure that each bride has the wedding of her dreams.”

“Harmony is, in my opinion, one of the most experienced professionals who brings to the table not only expert advice, but does it with the highest level of respect for her clients and there needs.”

“I can’t express fully the peace of mind we received from the Bridal Bar. Having spent innumerable hours searching through magazines, calling vendors who no-showed at appointments, and dealing with a total lack of customer service at local Bridal shops, we found a haven of excellence at The Bridal Bar. Within two hours we had a good idea of which photographer, florist, cake studio and makeup artist met my daughter’s expectations, and a week later, we had everything all booked. I will continue to sing the praises of this unique concept shop…and plan to utilize their services again in the future.”

“The Bridal Bar is a wonderful and very pretty lifeboat for the hapless bride-to-be, where Harmony and her crew nurse you with champagne, show you some thoroughly screened vendor samples and tell you in a firm but reassuring voice that ‘it’s all going to be OK.’” That’s how one bride suffering from a self-confessed “deer-in-the-headlights” moment describes this fabulous complimentary bridal resource boutique. Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes used the Bridal Bar for their wedding. Will and Jada Pinkett Smith use it for special events. Why shouldn’t you?

“Our purpose is to make all the information clients need to plan an event available at a single location,” explains founder Harmony Walton, whose credentials include certification as a wedding planner, prior ownership of a gift and favor boutique, and experience as an expert and contributing editor for prestigious wedding magazines. Her company prevents research runaround. The service is complimentary, which means it’s available to anyone at absolutely no cost. Vendors pay the fee, not the customers. Harmony and her team act as advocates and advisors. “We like to give choices,” insists the trend-setting CEO. “We represent vendors with a wide range of styles and rates to ensure that our service fulfills the needs of a variety of customers.”

Three seating vignettes allow visitors time and space to relax and explore the market. There’s a plasma screen for vendor films, and the walls are lined with portfolios from each of the Bridal Bar’s carefully selected suppliers. Clients might sample cake or truffles while sipping champagne and considering some of their options. They also receive a “goody bag” filled with treats like vendor vouchers, catalogues and top magazines. “We want to provide inspiration and fun,” insists Harmony. “Our aim is to educate clients so that they can make the right decisions.” Bridal Bar event experts advise on things like budget, etiquette and location. Questions about “second shooters,” covering costs for out-of-town guests, or cake-cutting fees? They can help you with that—and more. Because they are immersed in the business, they can also keep clients apprised of what is new and exciting in the world of event planning. “I can’t fully express the peace of mind I received from the Bridal Bar,” exclaims a mother-of-the-bride who is still singing their praises. “Having spent innumerable hours searching through magazines, calling vendors who no-showed for appointments and dealing with a total lack of service at many bridal shops, we found a haven of excellence at the Bridal Bar. Within two hours we had a good idea of which photographer, florist, cake studio and makeup artist we’d use.”

Social and corporate affairs, elaborate fundraisers, multi-day extravaganzas—they are all in a day’s work for Harmony and her team, but she confesses what she likes most are weddings. She loves it when grooms and other members of the bridal party come in. She once had a bride arrive with all eight of her bridesmaids. The woman’s mother had recently passed away. The bride confided that she hadn’t felt comfortable dealing with her wedding in her mother’s absence until she spent an afternoon at the Bridal Bar. “I don’t know what brides did before the Bridal Bar came along,” says one experienced industry professional. “What could be better than a one-stop place to shop for the best wedding vendors in town?”