There are ethical wedding dresses. There are affordable wedding dresses. And there are beautiful wedding dresses. But fat chance trying to find any overlap of the three. Or at least, that was the case until we met our newest sponsors, Celia Grace Fair Trade Bridal, the first ever Fair Trade certified wedding dress line in America. With silk gowns starting at $500, and sustainable business practices that promote fair wages and safe working conditions, Celia Grace Fair Trade Bridal is the best thing to happen to your wedding dress search since the invention of pockets. Oh and the dresses? One word: hot.
But first, let’s back up. What does Fair Trade mean, exactly? At Celia Grace, a Fair Trade wedding dress means:
- Trade, not aid, that helps those who need it most—women in India and Cambodia who have limited options for safe and fair work.
- Fair wages. Dressmakers earn a living wage and get benefits, and there is equal pay for men and women.
- No child labor. Celia Grace Fair Trade Bridal employs only adults and does not allow sub-contracting.
- Environmental preservation. They are continually working to reduce environmental impacts (starting with eco silks).
- Long-term relationships and capacity building, such as partnering with a few talented sewing groups and helping them grow.
- Safe and empowering work conditions, free of harassment or forced labor.
- Celebrating cultural heritage with heirloom silks that preserve a traditional art form.
- Raising awareness about eco, ethical, and fair trade wedding options for weddings and beyond.
All of that sounds… pretty awesome, right? Well, that’s because Celia Grace was founded by the recently married Marcie Muehlke, who started Celia Grace Fair Trade Bridal after her own frustrating wedding dress search:
At Celia Grace we want couples to have an amazing wedding and wedding celebration. We think a wedding should reflect who the couple is and what they care about as they share their love and commitment with their circle of family and friends… I know that when I volunteer or make a donation or choose a fair trade or eco product it makes a difference in the lives of others and makes me feel so good. So when I couldn’t find a wedding dress that matched my values I had my “aha moment.” A line of Fair Trade wedding dresses could not only change the lives of women in developing countries but could also make brides look more beautiful and feel more joyful on such an important day in their lives.
Until recently, eco-friendly wedding dresses had a distinct look (not a bad one; just not everyone’s cup of tea). So part of what Marcie is trying to do with Celia Grace is show that Fair Trade wedding dresses can be both beautiful and affordable. According to recent clients, she’s succeeding with flying colors:
Celia Grace is an amazing company. I really had my heart set on an ethical wedding dress, and because Celia Grace’s styles are really beautiful and high quality (and the price points are competitive with other brands), I didn’t have to sacrifice on style or pay a premium. I tried on three cuts and picked the Amelia—the process was surprisingly easy and I felt so gorgeous in the dress! I actually had had a baby only six months before, so hadn’t lost all my baby weight yet, and with the Amelia on you really couldn’t tell. It was so flattering! We also got ties for my husband and his groomsmen. They were affordable and a nice added touch to make the men’s side Fair Trade too. I honestly love this company and the mission.
You’d think that with the stunning styles, fair trade business practices, and affordable price points, there might be some catch to Celia Grade Fair Trade Bridal. (Like, are they hard to find, or do they take forever, or are they only available in limited sizes?) Except, there is no catch. Celia Grace Fair Trade Bridal wedding dresses can be bought at these bridal salons across the country, or at one of their trunk shows. Not in the area? Celia Grace also mails sample dresses directly to you for a $50 shipping/try-on fee (it’s nonrefundable, but it gets applied to the cost of the dress).
Celia Grace wedding dresses take about four months to make (which is pretty much the industry standard unless you’re buying off the rack), and they can rush one for you if you need it sooner. And all Celia Grace Fair Trade Bridal wedding dresses are available in sizes 0–14 (additional sizes can be made for a pattern fee, which varies per design). And Celia Grace designs don’t stop at dresses; they offer accessories for grooms and dapper brides, too.
Celia Grace dresses start at just $500 (which is a steal even for distinctly non-Fair Trade mass market dresses) and top out at $3,000. Which is crazy when you think about how much goes into making each one. Plus APW readers get five percent off all wedding dresses ordered directly from Celia Grace (and most trunk shows offer ten percent off).
It was about time someone realized that ethical wedding dresses could also be really stunningly beautiful wedding dresses. So if you haven’t found your wedding dress yet, then head over to Celia Grace Fair Trade Bridal now. The designs are stunning, the price is right, and you get the rare opportunity to do something good with a wedding purchase. I see no downsides here.
Click here to browse Celia Grace’s Fair trade wedding dress designs. All APW readers get 5% off when you order directly from the Celia GraCe website!
