Joanna DeHond, Espoir Bridal: guest post

Monday, October 15, 2012


I'm so SO excited to have Joanna guest blogging for me today, she's fabulous!  From the moment I stumbled across her site this summer, I've been obsessed with her unique, feminine, drop-dead-gorgeous designs.  And I obviously knew we were kindred spirits from the moment I saw one of my favorite "anne" quotes on the home page of her website ;)  So grateful she agreed to do a little post about her business--and make sure you read to the end, she is offering a lovely discount to blog readers!    --Jessica Shae

Hi there, from western, upstate NY!  My name is Joanna, and I am so happy that Jessica has allowed me to share with you a little bit about my business, Espoir Bridals.

Growing up, I was able to watch my mother sew dresses and outfits for my younger sister and me, and I always looked forward to the day when I would be able to sit in front of that old machine and sew for myself. It started out with a skirt... I can still remember the cherry patterned fabric... and then it was a rag doll. Looking back, I really cherish those many hours spent working with my mom and learning from her, and I am so grateful for the time and effort and love that she gave to me. All in all, I'm just a small town girl who loves to embrace the beautiful God-given gift of femininity {and rejoice in it}, and create dresses that reflect that.

A little bit about Espoir Bridals -

I was blessed to sell my first wedding gown off of Etsy in 2011. It wasn't really a planned thing, but I loved it so much that I felt like, hey, maybe this is something that I could do! After working on multiple gowns for advertising, I "officially" opened business this past summer, and it's been a huge blessing ever since!

At the moment, I am working with brides from Washington DC, and Missouri, so long distance customizing is absolutely workable! In addition to the custom design aspect, I have a heart for designing gowns that are both modest and attractive.  There are so many options when working with the bride's themes, colors, materials and patterns, that the choices are endless.  I have also always loved words, and writing, and telling stories, so intertwined throughout all of the design process, is finding out what "story" the bride wants to tell, and then "telling" it with the design. This helps to make the whole process - style, design, theme, and most importantly the dress - very personal... which I love!!

I feel so blessed to be able to do something that I love so much, and to be included in one of the most important and special times in a woman's life! I find it a privilege and a blessing, and always look forward to meeting those who will come into my life through this. I'd love to hear from you, so if you have any questions, or just want to chat, send me a message and I'll be in touch!

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PhotobucketBecause Jessica Shae has been SO super sweet in allowing me to blog here with her, and in celebration of her very own upcoming wedding {so exciting!!}, I am offering a 10% discount on all custom bridal orders placed before February 14th, 2013!! {keep in mind, that this time frame is just for the order, not for when you will need/receive the dress. So you can plan ahead!!}  Just mention that you read/heard about me through Jessica's blog!!

XO,
Joanna Kristina


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20 comments:

  1. Beautiful dresses! From your description of you, it sounds like you're from Texas (cowboy boots, pecan pie...). ;) I Sooo appreciate the modest factor in your dresses. No boyfriend, fiancé, or husband; but being a girl, I've looked online before specifically for modest wedding dresses and pretty much the only results that came up were LDS dress shops based in Utah. So we definitely need more modest dress makers in this country! :) I wish you lots of success in your new business!

    ps I drove from Niagara falls to NYC this summer. Not sure if that's where you live or not but it was the most beautiful countryside I saw in my road trip from TX to NY and then all the way down to FL and all the way across to TX.

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    1. Haha! Yes, I FEEL like I should be from Texas, but ya know... Yankee blood here! ;) Thank you so much for encouragement. We live about 2 hours east, and south of Niagara Falls, and yes, I love the area!
      Thanks again, Peggy!

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  2. Wonderful meeting you!
    I love your designs, they are so pretty!
    Amazing...

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    1. Wonderful meeting you too, Zoe! And thank you so much!! :)

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  3. Ahhh, Jessica thank you so much for introducing us.

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    1. Yes, thank you, Jessica, I LOVE meeting all you gals through this, and I hope we can become fast friends, wedding dresses or not. :)

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  4. Oh GOODNESS. Gracious. I mean, seriously. Joanna, your dresses are so beautiful!! And so is your heart- it shines right through in every word you wrote. :) I would so love to have you make my wedding dress (I've considered making it myself, but if someone who was a little more knowledgeable in the wedding-dress-making department made it...that would be wonderful!). No wedding on the horizon but I'll definitely keep you in the back of my mind for when the time comes around. :)

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  5. Bekah!! Thank you! You are too sweet. I would {of course} LOVE! to help with your wedding gown someday, but even if you do choose to make it yourself, I want to see, yes please! Thanks so much for your sweet words of encouragement!

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  6. Jessica,
    THANK YOU!!!! This is just beautifully put together, better than anything I could imagine! You are a jewel, and I'm SO glad that the Lord brought us together, even if we ARE hundreds of miles apart. :) Happy days ahead!

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  7. these dresses are BEAUTIFUL. it's SO refreshing seeing modest yet classy wedding dresses. just proves it can be done. :]

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  8. Ahh, I love these dresses that you design, Joanna! What a lovely job you have...if only I was getting married, then I could buy one of you! :)

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  9. When I get engaged- haha after I graduate and get a boyfriend of course, I'm totally coming to you for my dress. looks like a road trip from MN to NY will be in order ;)

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    1. Yes!! Road trips are so fun, and it would be so nice to meet you, Madeline! :)

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  10. Gorgeous dresses. Being a country girl from Texas, and never one to follow trends, I always thought I would make my dyes. However, I know zilch about sewing. Perhaps one day, we can chat?

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    1. That should say dress, by the way.

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    2. Thank you, Nicole! I love how you described yourself, and I feel like we have kindred tastes in style :)
      I would LOVE to chat with you someday, keep me in mind!

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Oh hey!
Thanks for taking the time to say hello, it makes my day everytime! :)

Jessica Shae