Who We Are
At Do You Speak Bride, we started with a simple yet profound observation: brides have a unique perspective driven by once-in-a-lifetime priorities, and with that comes their own special way of communicating, what we call the “Language of Bride”. Our mission? To shift the bridal industry away from a transactional mindset and instead, celebrate the relationships, love, and life moments surrounding each bride. Our Speak Bride training program isn’t your typical 10-step sales process; it’s all about relational principles and putting people first. And guess what? When you care about people above all else, the numbers speak for themselves!
Let’s create a bridal experience that’s heartfelt, fun, and all about love.
OUR VALUES:
When working with brides we are driven by a higher purpose: celebrating the love that unites two people for a lifetime.
We value the once-in-a-lifetime significance of our work, understanding that every connection in the bridal industry can shape someone’s ‘best day of their life,’ even through partnerships that remain behind the scenes.
We believe in fostering a vibrant, thriving bridal industry by prioritizing the success of relationships between designers and retailers, retailers and brides, and brides with their fiancés and families.
We prioritize relational training to foster smart, healthy partnerships within the bridal industry, ensuring exceptional service to brides and their families, and securing loyal patronage from each new generation of brides.
Wendy Rivera
FOUNDER
Wendy first entered the bridal scene in college as a part time stylist. Quickly, Wendy’s approach of loving & leading brides set her apart, outselling full time stylists as a part time team member. Inspired by a beautiful historic theater space in downtown Fredericksburg, Wendy & Gabe Rivera started Ava Laurénne Bride with $10,000 and 20 gowns. Since 2012, Wendy & Gabe have grown Ava Laurénne Bride from a small operation with one stylist (Wendy) to a multi-million dollar bridal business with over 50 employees, 2 locations, and over 400 appointments per month, and an average closing ratio of 72% (and higher). What is the primary reason for this astronomical growth? It is NOT the designers carried or a breakthrough advertising strategy. Ava Laurénne Bride is wildly successful because Wendy & Gabe focus on the primary product for brides, which is creating, facilitating, and protecting once-in-a-lifetime moments shared with friends and family closest to her. At Ava Laurénne Bride, the bride is the most important person in the room. She is not to be judged, feared, controlled, or ignored. In 2015, Wendy & Gabe started Do You Speak Bride to share this philosophy in an industry that often turns brides into the enemy and idolizes designers. The DYSB Signature Video Series is the first of its kind — focusing on the deeper truths and principles of how to understand the perspectives of people, so as to be best-prepared to answer objections, lead the appointment, and close the sale with confidence and comfort at the same time. A student of people, Wendy is a keen observer of why they do what they do — and she loves to share every insight with bridal shops as they seek to create a true experience for brides that will become a forever memory!
Gabe Riviera
CO-FOUNDER
Gabe started Ava Laurénne Bride with his wife, Wendy, in 2012. Together they also began Do You Speak Bride in 2015. Gabe is a powerful presenter at conferences, especially regarding the relationship between a company’s beliefs and its brand. His ability to verbally sketch truths using analogy and story is both unique and entertaining. Since 2013, he has performed in Acts the 3 Man Show, a professional stage adaptation of the book of Acts. More recently, he and Wendy began a podcast called, “Love & Freedom” where they discuss the contrasts between love and manipulation, leading and controlling, and so much more!
