Meet Ava Laurenne — Ava Laurenne Bride

Ava Laurenne Bride is a well known and very beautiful bridal boutique right in the heart of downtown Fredericksburg, Virginia. The name itself is beautiful! But did you know the shoppe owners, Gabe and Wendy Rivera, named their bridal boutique after their daughter, Ava Laurenne Rivera?

Ava was just two years old when Gabe and Wendy opened the doors of Ava Laurenne Bride. She spent many days at the bridal shoppe as a tiny girl, at first, in her playpen and later she was able to help “fluff” the bride's train, which to this day she still loves to do! Ava spent so much time at the shoppe, she actually thought her name was Ava Laurenne Bride, not Ava Laurenne Rivera!!

In the early days of Ava Laurenne Bride, the shoppe was located in the old Colonial Theater, also in downtown Fredericksburg. This had special meaning to the Riveras, because they met and fell in love while acting in the theater. The old theater stage had a spiral staircase. When a bride would find her gown, Gabe and Wendy would stand at the top of the stairs and sing “The Prayer” to her and her guests. Ava shared with me that one day she wanted to sing to the brides! That is Ava’s heart.

This little girl has learned from her parents. Her heart is truly for others. She feels deeply and pays attention to those around her. Ava loves animals. She loves to draw and give away her pictures. She’s actually a very good artist! She’s even designed a few wedding dresses for her dolls!

It will be exciting to watch Ava grow and see her story unfold.