BarbaLynn’s Vintage Offers Storied, Timeless Bridal Looks with Hive & Hollow
brides are invited to discover magical wedding attire and play “dress up” with dozens of archival, vintage and contemporary dresses – all curated by local collectors
Like many brides, the quest for the ideal wedding dress often begins with a vision – a dream of the perfect silhouette, fabric and intricate details that will make the walk down the aisle unforgettable.
For Taura Pfiffner Ghenciu, a bridal stylist with BarbaLynn’s Vintage in Menomonie, the search for her own wedding dress blossomed into a partnership with Hive & Hollow (222 Main St. E, Menomonie).
BarbaLynn’s wedding consignment became a fixture within the floral shop following Tara’s personal journey from engagement to wedding day.
Taura's hunt for the perfect dress ultimately led her to acquire a chockfull of second-hand dresses, even after her wedding day and reception – which fittingly took place at the downtown Menomonie flower shop.
It was in these moments that Sarah Lambert-Freeman, owner of Hive & Hollow, welcomed the opportunity to expand the existing BarbaLynn's collection in her storefront – which had been there since reopening on Main St. in 2024 – by retailing Taura's wedding dress collection.
“It’s really satisfying to be able to offer not only that (affordable and) sustainable piece, but a one-of-a-kind piece with a story. One with an exquisite sort of detailing that comes with the craftsmanship ... a piece that can survive the test of time.“ –Taura Pfiffner Ghenciu, bridal stylist with BarbaLynn's Vintage
“Our shared sense of appreciation of the beautiful, sustainably-crafted nature of things goes way back,” Sarah shared to describe her years-long relationship with Taura. “We (wanted to) bring in some other people to help fill the (Main St.) space and have products that make sense and (are) still cohesive with our brand and what we offer. Taura seemed like a natural fit.”
As a result, visitors of the Hive & Hollow storefront are now welcomed to a one-stop shop for all things weddings and occasions.
Inside, guests discover a floor-to-ceiling wall of archival and contemporary wedding dresses – the pièce de résistance for BarbaLynn’s Vintage – complemented by Hive & Hollow’s custom floral arrangements and vintage tablescape decor fit for any event.
Prospective brides can schedule one-on-one appointments or simply drop in for open shopping at the floral shop and event space, Taura said.
Taura will then coordinate an on-site visit where she assists the customer while accompanying family and friends can enjoy refreshments from Hive & Hollow’s bar, including wine, coffee and treats during the styling session.
With the expansion of wedding apparel offerings at Hive & Hollow, Taura has the chance to interact with shoppers directly and – the best gift of all, she said – even acquire their own vintage or second-hand formal wear to incorporate into BarbaLynn’s growing collection.
“It’s like an art museum in (Sarah’s) shop and she's given me that freedom to add more and more dresses and mannequins,” Taura said. “We’ve been acquiring pieces through Hive & Hollow and interacting with community members that get excited and (who are) interested in the dresses.”
The Hive & Hollow collection features dress styles spanning multiple eras, from Victorian and Edwardian pieces of the early 19th and 20th centuries to 1920s flapper dresses.
Taura’s growing collection also spotlights liquid satin garments from the 1930s and 40s, 60s mod and 70s bohemian, all the way up to emerging 2000s (Y2K) styles. At Hive & Hollow, she has also curated a “something blue” and “something old” collection with accessories available for purchase.
Taura described the act of “play” as being an integral part of BarbaLynn’s wedding offerings, similar to the ways she and her daughters played dress up in their youth.
After all, it’s in these spaces – much like at Hive & Hollow today – where young girls and brides alike have the space to explore the story they'd like to tell and the identity they wish to bring into their next chapter of life.
“There’s a magic of just spending time with somebody, showing them different pieces and actually having them try (dresses) on,” Taura said. “It’s all an individual approach, (with) creativity and being playful; it feels like what we did when the kids were little.”
Taura’s passion for sustainably-sourced, cost-friendly vintage remains deeply rooted in Menomonie. With such a vast collection of dresses and formal wear – often sourced from locals or area estate sales – Taura will restore lightly-used or damaged archival pieces through partnerships with area alterations servicer Stitched Up (710 4th St. E, Menomonie).
“Restoring and altering archival pieces is a way to honor the crafters and designers that came before us,” Nora Jean O’Dea, a tailor at Stitched Up who specializes in special occasion gowns, said. “It is great to have Taura to celebrate and this passion with. I’m always excited to see what she will walk through the door with next.”
“I have been sewing since I was a young girl with vintage alterations and repairs being a crucial part of the craft for me. (Taura and I) both share a love of helping brides achieve their bridal visions; this is a unique way we can serve brides who are looking for vintage pieces,” Nora Jean continued.
For Taura, Hive & Hollow and BarbaLynn's wedding retail represents an endurance to invest in the past and give treasured, vintage dresses new life – which she intends to continue into the collective business’ next wedding season.
As Taura and Sarah prepare to reopen BarbaLynn’s wedding retail in the new year, they intend to bring more open house events to the storefront and celebrate the gift of finding that “just right” piece for a person’s special occasion.
“We both are like match makers with our products. We will find the thing that is just right for you,” Sarah said. “We get a lot of (customers) who really trust us, which is wonderful. It’s the best kind of working relationship I could ask for.”
Taura views BarbaLynn’s wedding retail as an avenue for new brides to embrace their authentic selves, while also encouraging them to step beyond preconceived notions of style.
“Really think about what it is that makes you and your relationship special. Make your look be about your story,” Taura said. “Witnessing these tiny miracles while working with women is incredibly uplifting – it gives me hope.”
Hive & Hollow in downtown Menomonie (222 Main St. E) will open its wedding dress retail offerings once again – curated by BarbaLynn's Vintage – in spring of 2026. To learn more about both businesses in the Chippewa Valley, visit their respective webpages online.
