Plano South | May 2025

Business

BY KAREN CHANEY

Ann Kang opened Chally Bridal and Prom, with her husband James Kang, in The Shops at Willow Bend in 2023.

Disney Fairy Tale Wedding bridal gowns are a top selling designer at Chally Bridal and Prom.

PHOTOS BY KAREN CHANEYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Chally Bridal and Prom oers ‘wedding wonderland’

While trying to settle into retirement following 25 years of owning and operating a bridal boutique in St. Louis, Missouri, James and Ann Kang found the draw to once again walk the aisle, albeit trade show aisles, too hard to resist. “I love bridal fashion,” Ann said. “I retired for a year and a half. Then I got to go to bridal trade shows and couldn’t stay away.” The Kangs moved from Missouri to North Texas to be closer to their children, Chris and Ally. When they opened Chally Bridal and Prom in 2023, they merged their children’s names to create the business name. Looking for a bridal gown? Blending their decades of industry experience with strong vendor connections, the married busi- ness partners have created what Ann describes as a “wedding wonderland.” “Ocially this is the biggest bridal store in Texas, maybe in the nation,” James said. “Obviously we want to have the best and largest selection of inventory in Texas.” Bridal gowns are available in sizes ranging from 4-through-32. “We have the largest amount of curvy dresses in stock,” James said. “We felt like the plus size consumer was kind of neglected.” Ann said she chooses inventory based on

material, workmanship and price. “I look at the dresses like I’m a consumer—I’m very fashion forward,” Ann said. “I like to present unique styles to our brides.” Customers will nd a large selection of design- ers to choose from including two of the more popular lines from Disney Fairy Tale Wedding and Randy Fenoli, of ‘Say Yes To the Dress’ fame. “We listen to our brides [to learn] what they’re looking for. After she tries on what she’s looking for, we’ll also suggest what we think would look best on them,” Ann said. “The bride will decide. It’s ultimately her day and her decision.” The experience Reservations are required to try on bridal gowns and Quinceañera dresses. There are two types of bridal appointments—regular and VIP. There is no charge for a regular appointment, which is 90 minutes long and guided by a stylist. “The VIP is a little bit more enhanced. It’s two hours, private showroom, private runway, drinks and hors d’oeuvre are served,” Ann said. What else? In addition to bridal gowns, Chally also sells special occasion dresses including Quinceañera, prom, mother of the bride and more. “Prom girls don’t want to buy the same dresses,”

Reservations are required to try on Quinceañera gowns.

CHAPEL HILL BLVD.

DNT TOLL

PLANO PKWY.

PARK BLVD.

The Shops at Willow Bend, 6121 W. Park Blvd., Ste. B121, Plano www.challybridalandprom.com

Ann said. “They are very happy that we have dierent designers they are able to choose from ... which are more exclusive to our store.” Many customers come from out of state to have the Chally bridal experience, the Kangs said. Once they say yes to the dress, the Chally robot brings them celebratory champagne. “I love working with the brides and customers,” Ann said. “Finding the beautiful, perfect gown they are dreaming about excites me and it is rewarding for me as well.”

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