When I was ready to say “yes” to the dress, there was just one choice. My mom and I had visited several shops in the city and suburbs, but only one visit brought us to happy tears. When I found “the dress.” I became part of a 50-year history of Lake Zurich’s Volle’s Bridal & Boutique and Mr. Tux helping brides, grooms, and their families look their best on the big day.
Chad and Susanne Dershaw took over Volle’s in 2018 after careers in consulting and advertising, respectively. Friends since they were 10 years old, they migrated to Chicago separately from East Coast jobs; their friendship grew to love, and eventually marriage.
“Chad has always had an entrepreneurial spirit, and I have always enjoyed a new adventure,” she says. “Once we knew that Volle’s and Mr. Tux were available, we jumped at the opportunity. It fit us perfectly: we were celebrating our new marriage and were so excited to help newly engaged couples celebrate as well.”
At Volle’s, a bridal appointment is 90 minutes of fun. The staff gets to know brides through calls and emails before meeting in person. As the only full-service bridal salon in Chicagoland, Volle’s can dress and prepare the whole party: from wedding dresses to evening gowns, to mother-of-the-bride/groom dresses and bridesmaids’ dresses down to flower girls. Alterations are done on-site by seamstresses with a combined 100-years’ experience. Volle’s brides are excited to feel and look their best but are also smart spenders, choosing from an enormous selection of dresses beginning at $1,500.
For the full atelier experience (the private workshop of a professional artist), brides can work directly with wedding dress designer Victoria Sdoukos who’s been in business for 20 years. “Victoria will help design your dress from scratch and walk you through the whole process, so you have a one-of-a-kind wedding dress,” Susanne says. For men, Mr. Tux rents tuxedos and suits and offers bespoke tuxedos and suits for purchase.
Since taking over, the Dershaws utilize more technology during styling sessions to provide instant answers. The focus is always on customer service for anyone seeking an approachable luxury wedding dress shopping experience.
Over the years, Volle’s has dressed many brides including WGN meteorologist Morgan Kolkmeyer. Proud supporters of the Brides Across America Organization, each year Volle’s gives away wedding dresses to brides who are in the military or are first-responders (or are marrying active military or first-responders).
Volle’s is currently working with a bride who just moved to Belgium. “We're so excited for her and have made arrangements for her alterations to be done while she's in town,” Susanne says.
The Dershaws recently won the Newcomer of the Year Award from the Lake Zurich Chamber of Commerce and have survived and thrived despite the pandemic. “We are grateful for our dedicated staff and our customers,” Susanne says. They plan to expand the business, adding to the current building to continue exceptional customer service.
What is the message to new brides-to-be? “Come to Volle’s and let us take care of you,” Susanne says. “Not all stores know how to do this. Shop early. Start looking for your wedding dress nine to 12-months before your wedding. Chad and I love making our customers feel happy and appreciated. Making all our customers happy is part of our DNA.”
Volle’s is at 53 S. Old Rand Road in Lake Zurich. Learn more at VollesBridal.com.