Finding a wedding dress is stressful. Honestly, it just is. You walk into most shops and feel like you're on an assembly line of tulle and lace, being pushed toward a sale before you’ve even had a second to breathe. But One & Only Bridal in Orlando does things differently. Located in the heart of downtown, specifically in the historic and trendy Thornton Park neighborhood, this boutique has carved out a reputation for being the "cool girl" of bridal shops. It’s not just about the dresses; it’s about the vibe.
People come here because they want to feel like themselves. Not some weird, stiff version of a bride they think they're supposed to be.
What Makes One & Only Bridal Different?
The shop isn't massive, and that’s a good thing. It’s intimate. When you walk into their Washington Street location, you aren't met with 5,000 dresses shoved onto racks like a clearance aisle. Instead, you see a curated selection. This is a massive relief for anyone who gets overwhelmed by too many choices. The owners have clearly spent time picking out designers that you don't see in every single storefront across Florida.
Think about designers like Made with Love Bridal. Their stuff is iconic—bold laces, deep Vs, and a sort of effortless Australian coastal energy. One & Only was one of the early adopters of these types of labels in the Southeast. They also carry Kyha Studios and Chosen by Kyha, which are perfect for the bride who wants something sleek, modern, and maybe a little bit editorial. You aren't going to find "poofy princess" vibes as the main event here. It’s more about silhouettes that move with you and fabrics that feel expensive because, well, they are high quality.
Let's talk about the consultants for a second. In many boutiques, the staff can feel a bit... judgmental? Or maybe just exhausted. At One & Only, the feedback from real brides consistently points to the "best friend" energy of the stylists. They aren't just trying to close a deal. They actually listen when you say you hate your arms or that you want to be able to eat a full taco bar at your reception without feeling like you're being strangled by your bodice.
The Realistic Cost of a Designer Gown
Money is the elephant in the room. Always. Most gowns at One & Only Bridal fall into the $2,000 to $5,000 range.
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If you’re looking for a $500 dress, this isn’t the spot. And that’s okay. Knowing your budget beforehand saves you the heartbreak of falling in love with a $4,500 hand-beaded Kyha gown when you can only spend a fraction of that. They do occasionally have sample sales, though. These are the "golden tickets" of bridal shopping. A sample sale is when they sell the floor models—the dresses people have been trying on—at a steep discount to make room for new seasons. If you're a standard sample size (usually around a bridal 10 or 12, which fits like a street size 6 or 8), you can score a designer look for way less. But you have to be ready to buy on the spot.
The "Experience" Factor
Booking an appointment is mandatory. This isn't a "mall shop" where you can just wander in while grabbing an iced coffee. You need to plan. They offer different tiers of appointments, too.
The standard bridal appointment is what most people go for. You get a dedicated stylist and a private fitting area. But they also offer "VIB" (Very Important Bride) experiences. This usually involves bubbly, treats, and more time. Is it worth the extra fee? If you have a big group and want to make a whole Saturday out of it, absolutely. If you’re a minimalist who just wants the dress, stick to the standard.
One thing that surprises people is the lighting. The boutique uses a lot of natural light, which is crucial. Fluorescent shop lights are the enemy of white fabric. Seeing how the lace looks in actual sunlight gives you a much better idea of how you’ll look walking down an outdoor aisle or standing near a window at your venue.
Why the Thornton Park Location Matters
Thornton Park is one of the most charming parts of Orlando. It’s walkable. It’s brick-lined. It’s the opposite of the tourist traps near Disney.
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When you finish your appointment at One & Only Bridal, you’re steps away from spots like Soco Thornton Park or Dexter’s. Most brides make a day of it. They do the fitting, hopefully find "the one," and then immediately go grab brunch or a cocktail to celebrate. It turns a potentially high-stress chore into a memory.
The boutique fits that neighborhood vibe perfectly. It feels like a local business, not a corporate chain. You can tell the people working there actually care about the Orlando wedding community. They often collaborate with local florists and photographers for styled shoots, which helps them give you better advice on how certain dresses will "perform" in the Florida humidity.
Common Misconceptions About Bridal Shopping
A lot of people think they need to bring ten people to an appointment. Please, don't do that. Even at a place as welcoming as One & Only, too many voices drown out your own. Three people is usually the sweet spot.
Another big mistake? Waiting too long. People forget that these dresses aren't sitting in a warehouse in your size. They are made to order. A gown from a designer like Essense of Australia (another brand they carry) can take six to eight months to arrive. Then you need two months for alterations. If you show up four months before your wedding, you’re going to be paying massive rush fees, or your options will be limited to what’s off-the-rack.
The "One & Only" team is pretty blunt about timelines. They won't sugarcoat it. If you're on a tight schedule, tell them immediately so they can show you what’s actually possible.
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The Aesthetics: From Boho to Minimalist
If you look at their Instagram, you’ll see a specific "look." It’s very clean. Even when the dresses have a lot of lace, the photography and the styling feel modern.
- For the Minimalist: They have these incredible crepe gowns that fit like a glove. No beads, no sparkles, just incredible tailoring.
- For the Romantic: Soft tulle, floral appliqués, and gowns that look like they belong in a garden in Italy.
- For the Modernist: Think square necklines, slit skirts, and even bridal separates.
They also carry accessories—veils, jewelry, and those little extras that finish the look. Don't sleep on the veils. A simple dress can be completely transformed by a cathedral-length veil with matching lace trim.
Navigating the Appointment
When you get there, your stylist will probably ask to see your Pinterest board. Have it ready. But also, be open-minded. So many brides walk into One & Only swearing they want a mermaid fit and leave with an A-line. It happens every day. The stylists know the inventory better than you do, and they know how a dress looks on a human body versus a plastic mannequin.
Trust the process. If they bring you a "wildcard" dress, try it on. The worst-case scenario is that you hate it, you laugh, and you take it off. The best-case? You find the one.
One & Only also emphasizes inclusivity. They try to carry a range of sample sizes so that different body types can actually see how the gowns look. While the bridal industry still has a long way to go in terms of size representation, this boutique is much more progressive than many of the old-school shops you might encounter.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
To get the most out of your time at One & Only Bridal, follow these specific steps:
- Book 9-12 months out. If you want a stress-free experience, this is the timeline. It gives you room for shipping delays and multiple fitting rounds for alterations.
- Research the designers first. Look up Made with Love, Kyha Studios, and Essense of Australia. If you hate all of those styles, this might not be the shop for you, and that's okay.
- Wear the right underwear. This sounds small, but wear nude, seamless underwear. It’s hard to imagine a sleek crepe gown when you have bright purple lace showing through the sample.
- Limit your entourage. Bring the people who make you feel confident, not the ones who are going to critique every stitch based on their own personal taste.
- Factor in the "Hidden Costs." Your budget should include the dress, taxes, shipping, and alterations. One & Only doesn't do in-house alterations, but they have a vetted list of local seamstresses they trust. Budget an extra $500–$900 for a perfect fit.
The boutique is located at 420 E Church St Unit 106, Orlando, FL 32801. Parking in Thornton Park can be a bit of a gamble, so give yourself an extra fifteen minutes to find a spot in the garage or on the street. Coming in flustered because you're late for your slot is the worst way to start. Take a breath, walk in, and enjoy the fact that you’re finally doing this.