Bridal Shop Owner Found Calling By Chance

Elizabeth Clancy, owner of Elizabeth’s Bridal Manor on South Main Street in Northville, knows what it’s like to be in the right place at the right time. A fortuitous event led her to open the bridal shop in 1989.

In the mid-80’s, while dining at what was then the Plymouth Hilton Hotel, Clancy overheard a discussion at the next table: bridal shop owners needed salespeople to work at their bridal sample sale in the hotel’s ballroom.

Clancy introduced herself to the group, expressed interest and was asked to come back the next morning. Clancy prepared herself for what she thought would be an interview, but instead found she’d been hired on the spot. She went to work.

One of the owners took Clancy under his wing.

“He showed me everything: how to put on a headpiece, fluff a train,” recalled Clancy. “It came naturally to me, I loved it! That first day I helped three brides, and sold to two of them.”

The owners invited Clancy to stay on as a salesperson.

“This was what I wanted to do,” said Clancy. “Starting from my home I turned a guest room into a boutique. It grew, and after a year I started developing a business plan and looked for a location. It took about two years.”

Clancy’s apparel-sense developed from an early introduction to textiles.

Clancy’s mother loved fine fabrics, and had a chest of old trims and cloths she’d saved from her youth. As a child Clancy could identify organza, taffeta, satin, silk and other materials. She made doll clothes and costumes out of scraps and pieces.

“I consider myself a self-taught interior decorator,” said Clancy. “Bridal is similar. It uses the same principles of balance and proportion. It takes analytical skills to determine what works on a girl, and why.”

When Donna Agoston’s daughters Lauren, Leigha, and Caitlin got married in 2000, 2004, and 2009, she bought the bridal and bridesmaid’s gowns from Elizabeth’s.

“It’s a great shop with beautiful things,” said Agoston. “Elizabeth is a wonderful, caring lady. She even came to our house on their wedding days and helped the brides get ready. They looked beautiful!”

Seamstress Esther Sabbagh has known Clancy for ten years. She manages the Nordstrom alterations department in Novi, and has worked for Clancy.

“Elizabeth stays right on top of her bridal gown orders,” said Sabbagh. “She doesn’t let anybody worry. Elizabeth takes of everything, from start to finish.”

“When you own a business you have to be two people,” said Clancy. “You have to see every little detail, but you also have to be able to see the big picture.”

Each spring and autumn Clancy goes on buying trips to Chicago and New York City.

“It takes awhile for some of the new looks to catch on in Michigan,” said Clancy. “Michigan tends to be conservative.”

On her most recent trip to New York Clancy ran into Randy, who appears on Say Yes to the Dress.

And, ten years ago Monte from Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta held a trunk show at Clancy’s shop.

Elizabeth’s Bridal Manor carries dresses for brides, bridesmaids, flower girls, and mothers.