A Brief History of Savvi Formalwear & Bridal

Denise Maeyaert, the owner and founder of Savvi Formalwear & Bridal, started her career in the airline industry. After an opportunity to work part-time in a bridal salon, she realized she had found her true calling. Twenty-seven years later, Savvi Formalwear & Bridal is thriving. Here’s a look at the history of this beloved Raleigh institution.

Denise didn't always know she wanted to be in the wedding industry. In fact, when she first started college, she planned to pursue a career in social work. Savvi Formalwear & Bridal traces its origins back to 1992, when Denise first began working in the bridal industry. At that time, she was just renting and selling tuxedos and suits. However, it didn't take long for her to realize that she had found her true passion. After just a few years of working part-time in the bridal salon, Denise decided to go all-in and make Savvi Formalwear & Bridal her full-time career.

Since then, Denise and her team have continued to grow and evolve Savvi Formalwear & Bridal into the premiere destination for Raleigh and the surrounding area brides. In 2003, they moved into their current location in the same shopping center where they first started. And in 2006, they added a seasonal specialty gown store which is open from January until May each year, to serve Prom customers. Throughout it all, one thing has remained constant: Savvi Formalwear & Bridal's commitment to providing quality service and an unforgettable experience to every one of its customers.

At Savvi Formalwear & Bridal, they have been blessed with success and look forward to continuing to give back to those who have supported us along the way! That is why a portion of our stylists' tips are donated to Jimmy V Org, an organization named after Jim Valvano, the famous NC State University Coach. The charity supports cancer research, a cause close to Denise's heart, as she lost her mentor and her father to cancer. Savvi Superstars also participates in Fun Runs for Cancer research, and together they have donated over $36,000 this year alone. We also support local High School Music and the Arts programs and help fund scholarships in our local community. This year they are excited to extend our giving back efforts by sponsoring their first Ukrainian family arriving in the US.

The Savvi Formalwear & Bridal team has not only increased in numbers throughout the years, but they’ve also grown closer together and enjoy working with one another to achieve their goals. The family with Denise is Michael, his wife and two children. They currently live in the Czech Republic, and he returned to visit Savvi Bridal with his family to show them where he worked many years earlier in Raleigh. We have a fantastic group of stylists that have been part of the team for many years, and they each bring their own unique set of skills and talents to the table. We're proud to say that our team is truly like family, and we wouldn't have it any other way!

Whether you're looking for your perfect wedding dress, bridesmaid, mother of the bride gown or tuxedo for your prom date, Savvi Formalwear & Bridal is the place to go. We are so grateful for our community’s support and look forward to continuing to serve Raleigh. Thanks for being part of the Savvi Family!