A Unique Romantic Bookstore

Mission Statement: At Love Stories, our mission is to blend the elegance of bridal fashion with the heartwarming charm of romance literature. We're transforming The Formal Niche into an enchanting space that houses Love Stories Romance Only Bookstore and The Nook Event Space. Here, love stories in all forms will be celebrated—a haven for brides, grooms, romantics, and wedding industry professionals alike.

The Problem We’re Solving: Bridal boutiques often feel impersonal, lacking a unique and intimate experience, while bookstores face challenges competing with online retailers. We aim to address this by creating a space that feels magical, personal, and curated just for you. Brides, grooms, book lovers, and romance professionals will find a home here, with dedicated spaces for workshops, meetings, and community events that bring love to life.

Market Size/Opportunity: The global bridal market is expected to hit $126.5 billion by 2025, driven by the demand for personalized, high-quality experiences. Meanwhile, independent bookstores are experiencing a resurgence, as readers crave physical spaces that offer more than just books. Combining these two flourishing markets, Love Stories is perfectly positioned to capture a unique niche for brides, wedding planners, romance readers, and industry professionals.

Our Solution: Love Stories will be a groundbreaking concept that merges bridal elegance with the charm of a romance-themed bookstore and a multi-functional event space. We’ll offer:

• A curated and inclusive selection of romance novels from well know authors and indie authors alike, as well as relationship and wedding planning guides.
• A stunning variety of bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses, tuxedos, and formal wear.
• Personalized dress fittings and customizations.
• Community events like book clubs, author signings, and bridal workshops.
• An intimate event space for workshops, networking, and industry meetings.
• Office rentals, offering wedding professionals a professional meeting space for clients.

By offering an immersive and versatile environment, we provide a much-needed personalized experience, where each visit feels as enchanting as the love stories we celebrate.

Why We’re Seeking Funding: We need your help to bring this vision to life and transform The Formal Niche into Love Stories. Your contributions will allow us to:

• Renovate and Redesign: Seamlessly blend the cozy, romantic atmosphere of a bookstore with the elegance of a high-end bridal boutique. This includes creating intimate fitting rooms, cozy reading nooks, event spaces, and professional office rentals.
• Expand Our Collections: Curate a diverse, inclusive range of romance novels and relationship guides, while introducing a stunning selection of bridal gowns, formal wear, and custom designs.
• Enhance Services: Offer custom fittings, host bridal and romance-related events like book clubs and workshops, and provide industry professionals with a dedicated, stylish space to host client meetings and events.
• Upgrade Operations: Grow our team by hiring bridal consultants, event coordinators, bookstore curators, and a web designer, while implementing advanced systems to ensure seamless operations and exceptional service.

Why You Should Support Us: Since 2013, The Formal Niche has been proudly self-funded. Now, we have an exciting opportunity to grow into something even more magical—a space where romance in every form is celebrated. With your support, we can build a unique destination that combines the best of bridal fashion and romance literature, making every visit an unforgettable experience for brides, grooms, book lovers, and professionals alike.

Join us in creating a space where love is always in the air.

Meet Our Owners:

Hey there! I’m Courtney Hedrick, the heart behind Love Stories Romance Only Bookstore, The Nook event and workspace, and, of course, The Formal Niche bridal and formal boutique. If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I’m completely obsessed with love stories—whether they're found in a beautiful wedding dress or the pages of a swoon-worthy romance novel.

For over 22 years, I’ve been in the bridal world, learning everything there is to know about making brides feel like absolute queens. It’s been an incredible ride filled with happy tears, endless fittings, and those magical “this is the one” moments. But my passion doesn’t stop at bridal gowns—I’ve also spent years networking and collaborating with amazing small business owners, always looking for new ways to bring creativity and community together.

Eleven years ago, I took the leap and opened The Formal Niche, my very own bridal boutique, pouring all my heart and energy into creating a space brides trust and love. But deep down, I knew I wanted more—a place where the magic of romance is everywhere, not just in fashion but in stories, friendships, and community connections.

That’s where The Formal Niche, Love Stories and The Nook comes in. It’s my dream come true—a cozy, inclusive space where love stories are celebrated in all their forms. Whether you’re hunting for the perfect dress, getting lost in a great romance novel, or looking for a space to meet people who get your passion for all things love-related, we’ve got you covered. So, come in, grab a book (or a dress!), and let’s create some magic together!

Hey, I’m Angel Oliver, proud partner at Love Stories, The Formal Niche, and The Nook. I’ve been part of the bridal and formal world for over 25 years, and let me tell you—it’s been an incredible journey! In fact, I had the pleasure of helping shape the career of Courtney Hedrick, training her as a bridal consultant back when she first stepped into the industry. And now, here we are, creating something magical together!

What gets me up in the morning? It’s the thrill of seeing brides and grooms light up when they find the one—whether it’s the perfect dress, tux, or a new favorite romance book. I’ve always had a deep passion for customer service and attention to detail, and I make it my mission to ensure that every person who walks through our doors feels special, cared for, and totally excited about their experience.

I’m all about creating those unforgettable moments—whether it’s a bride finding her dream dress or someone leaving with a smile after a great conversation. I love spreading joy, one dress or book at a time, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to do it here with a team that shares the same passion!

Big Thank You to Our Incredible Backers:

We are beyond grateful for your support in helping us grow Love Stories, The Nook, and The Formal Niche! Your backing doesn’t just help us create a beautiful and unique space—it allows us to expand our businesses and bring our vision to life. With your support, we’re building a place where love stories are celebrated, where brides find their dream dresses, and where industry professionals have the perfect space to connect and grow.

Thank you for believing in us and for being such an important part of our journey. With your help, we’re growing something truly special, and we can’t wait to share this magical space with you and our community. Together, we’re creating a place where every visit adds to the story!