Here Comes the Bride — and the Business!

Talk about turning wedding-day stress into entrepreneurial success!

What started as one couple’s search for flattering bridesmaid dresses has blossomed into a booming tech-forward bridal empire — and now, a Shark Tank victory. Ashley and Charles Young, the husband-and-wife duo behind Bridal Babes, recently made waves on the hit ABC show by landing a $250,000 deal for their innovative, inclusive bridalwear business (AfroTech).

The pair’s journey began with frustration. While planning their 2016 wedding, Ashley struggled to find stylish, curve-flattering bridesmaid dresses that made all her friends feel confident and beautiful. “What I found when I was searching was just… there’s nothing out there,” Ashley told AfroTech. “Once my girls finally put their dresses on, it was really difficult. But our wedding went viral because people had never seen bridesmaids in curve-hugging dresses that actually enhanced their body type.”

Building a New Kind of Bridal Brand

That viral moment sparked the idea for Bridal Babes, a trailblazing Black-owned virtual bridal company that has redefined how brides and their bridal parties shop. The brand blends high fashion with technology, offering a virtual shopping experience complete with online consultations, video calls with stylists, and interactive Q&A sessions.

“Our goal was to make the process fun, empowering, and accessible,” Ashley explained in an interview with Essence. “Every woman — no matter her size, shape, or budget — deserves to feel confident walking down that aisle or standing next to the bride.”

Charles, who co-founded the company with his wife, added that technology has always been at the heart of their mission. “One of the things we really pride ourselves on is being the first movers in virtual consultations,” he told Forbes. “When we entered the bridal industry, we noticed there wasn’t a big tech component. We wanted to change that. By connecting clients with stylists virtually, we help them find the perfect styles for all bridesmaids — of every shape, shade, and size.”

Bridal Babes’ inclusive approach has resonated deeply with customers. The company now offers dozens of body-positive dress silhouettes, diverse skin-tone-friendly shades, and affordable options that celebrate all women. Its online community has also grown rapidly, creating a supportive space for brides seeking authenticity and representation in an industry that has long favored one narrow standard of beauty.

Making a Splash on Shark Tank

In their recent Shark Tank appearance, Ashley and Charles pitched Bridal Babes’ virtual consultation model to investors, seeking $250,000 for 10% equity. Their passion and data-driven strategy immediately impressed the Sharks. After a round of enthusiastic discussion, fashion entrepreneur Emma Grede, known for co-founding Good American with Khloé Kardashian and serving as a founding partner of SKIMS, made an offer of $250,000 for 20% equity — and the Youngs gladly accepted (ABC News).

Grede praised the couple for identifying a gap in the market and combining innovation with purpose. “You’re not just creating dresses — you’re creating confidence,” she said on the show.

A Growing Movement for Representation

The success of Bridal Babes reflects a larger shift toward diversity and inclusion in the wedding industry, which has historically marginalized women of color and plus-size brides. According to The Knot’s 2024 Wedding Report, over 70% of brides now seek brands that align with their values of representation and inclusivity.

By embracing technology and cultural awareness, the Youngs are helping reshape a $70 billion global bridal industry. Their company has already attracted celebrity clients, and their viral social media presence continues to inspire future entrepreneurs — especially women of color entering the fashion-tech space.

As Ashley put it, “This isn’t just about dresses. It’s about giving women the experience they deserve and showing that love — and beauty — look like all of us.”

From walking down the aisle to walking into the Shark Tank, the Youngs have proven that love, innovation, and vision make the perfect match.

Congratulations to the inspiring founders of Bridal Babes — proving that when passion meets purpose, success says “I do.”