Enelda Alvarez has an uncanny gift for knowing what will look good on a woman

A bride-to-be is planning a winter wedding. Leave it to Enelda Alvarez to create a Snow White-worthy dress, in white velvet with a flowing cape.

The bride-to-be envisioned a Cinderella-esque poofy dress.

“Not sure about that,” thinks Alvarez.

She hands the bride-to-be a few billowy ball gowns but also a slimming dress with just the right amount of bling.

“Just try this one,” she says gently. “I think it suits you.”

The bride-to-be tries on the suggested dress, and it’s an instant wow. She walked down the aisle in that perfectly tailored creation.

‘I enjoy seeing people happy’

Enelda’s Happy Brides is celebrating 33 years in business. The secret to her shop’s longevity is right in its name: “happy.”

“You have to enjoy what you do, and I so enjoy seeing people happy,” Alvarez said. “There is nothing that makes me as pleased as seeing a woman come into my store and leave with a smile on her face. She finds the perfect dress, sees herself in the mirror and knows she looks pretty.”

Alvarez has an exceptional gift for knowing what will look good on a woman.

“This has been happening for years,” she said. “People come in with a certain style in mind. I talk to them a little bit and learn what they are thinking about, and they try on dresses of that style. But I can look at someone and know what style will look best. Sometimes it’s the one they had in mind, but often they end up going with my suggestions.”

Alvarez was born in the Dominican Republic. Growing up, her mother taught her to sew, and then she took classes to sharpen her skills. She got so good at it, she began making gowns and dresses out of her home in Sparta in the late 1980s. She opened her first shop in White Deer Plaza, in Sparta, where she was established for many years.

“I had wanted to larger space for a long time,” she said, “and then three years ago, found my place in Sparta Theatre Plaza, and we moved.”

Rolling with the times

Alvarez credits the longevity of her business to sincere customer service and rolling with the times.

“9/11 was a tough time for so many people who had lost loved ones,” she said. “Weddings were postponed, and now with the virus, many are being put off until 2022. There are good times and there are bad times, and in the bad times we are there more than ever for our customers.”

The era of Covid-19 has seen fewer weddings and black tie events. Alvarez has implemented all of the safety protocols and allows one bride into the shop at a time wearing a mask. She fully sanitizes between appointments. Alvarez said that she’s seeing many couples going ahead with their weddings, but small versions for which the bride wants a simple dress.

“The big parties to celebrate the wedding are getting put off and many brides are getting a different dress for that,” Alvarez said.

Alvarez realizes that with the Covid, people have lost their jobs or just want to make things simpler. Consequently, she’s dedicated a part of her store to a rack not just for brides but for anyone looking for a nice dress they can take home right then and there.

“I think you have to first of all be honest with your customers and do the best thing for them,” Alvarez said. “Give them what they really need in a dress and make sure they get it by the time that they need it.”

Enelda’s is located at 3 Center Street in the Theatre Plaza in Sparta. For information, call 973-729-0408 or visit https://ehbrides.com.