Get to Know: The Bride Bar
Six years ago this month, The Blowout Bar hit the Columbus scene, filling a void in Central Ohio. It was among the first blowdry-only salons in the region—the now-closed Styleout beat it to the official first title by a matter of days—and has since grown to four locations and a wedding-centric sister company, The Bride Bar.
“It took off,” says Kristin DeJohn, who owns the local chain with her sister, Kailen Echeverry. “People come in for all different sorts of reasons,” she explains, citing pampering and a dislike of or inability to do one’s own hair as just a few reasons that draw in clients.
After noticing the number of brides coming into The Blowout Bar for wedding-related hair and makeup services, DeJohn and Echeverry decided to launch sister company The Bride Bar in January 2017. And this April, The Bride Bar took its next step, opening its own dedicated space at 850 King Ave. in the Fifth by Northwest neighborhood and becoming the city’s first private hair and makeup studio dedicated exclusively to weddings.
Natural light floods the open, airy space, thanks to a skylight in the vaulted ceiling. Directly underneath are the two hair stations, each outfitted with full-length mirrors; to the left are a pair of makeup stations for professional or DIY makeup application. A bar cart, kitchen area and dining area allow for pre-event mimosas and snacks, and The Bride Bar offers complimentary bubbly with each rental package. Best of all, renting the space means you get it for as long as needed, DeJohn says—no worrying about scooting out quickly as another party is arriving, as you might in more traditional salons.
A great alternative to a crowded hair salon or tiny hotel room, DeJohn says, the space often is loved by photographers for the possibilities it allows. There’s space for everyone to get dressed, too, meaning your entire wedding-morning activities can be consolidated into one beautiful, photogenic space.
Of course, The Bride Bar also offers on-site services for those who prefer them.
One of the best things about The Bride Bar, DeJohn says, is that because every hair and makeup artist is a contractor, they’re there by choice—because they love wedding services. This often isn’t the case in larger salons that provide general services, where you might be assigned any HMUA who’s available the day you need them but who might not specialize in bridal services.
The Bride Bar also has its own service coordinator, Katheryn Ramierez, who operates out of the studio’s open, lofted second floor. “She’s the one that personally talks to all of our brides, which is really awesome,” DeJohn says. “We really want to make it personal, so she talks to every single one of our brides that inquires. She schedules their trials and works with them on the timeline for their wedding day—she kind of sees that whole process through with them.”
You can learn more about The Bride Bar and request an appointment on its website; the studio also has a Facebook, Twitter and a (killer) Instagram.
Do you have or know of a business that Central Ohio brides and grooms should Get to Know? Email editor Emma Henterly at ehenterly@columbusweddingsmag.com.
