Best In Silicon Valley

2023 Best Bridal Boutique || Best Place to Buy a Wedding Dress || Best Facebook Page Trudys Brides & Special Occasions From the moment a woman steps through the doors — whether with her mother for her wedding gown consultation or with her best friends for her prom — she is welcomed as royalty. It's a rite passage, even, for Silicon Valley and Bay Area women and girls to find their wedding gown, ball gown or special-occasion dress with the personalized experience offered at Trudys like nowhere else. Second generation owner Steven Blechman believes his parents and founders, Trudy and Roger Blechman, would be proud that the small business they formed will next year celebrate its 50th anniversary. They might be even prouder that, year after year, brides recognize Trudys as the Best Bridal Boutique in Silicon Valley and the Best Place to Buy a Wedding Dress. "Even after the pandemic our customers, especially moms, tell us how happy they are with our selection, one-on-one attention, and great customer service Trudys still provides to each customer," says Steven. "Our brides will always find the newest styles and a size inclusive selection from one of the leading wedding gown designers," noting that Trudys was selected as the first in-store boutique in California to feature Morilee by Madeline Gardner. Everyone at Trudys knows that a wedding gown needs not only to feel comfortable and beautiful but to reflect the spirit of the woman wearing it. Many brides arrive at their appointment with an idea of what they think they want, which certainly can be helpful. Consultants listen to the brides and patiently offer a vast array of dresses, carefully noticing how the bride sees herself in each. After an hour or so with one of Trudys experts, some brides realize that designs they had never considered complement them better than they could have imagined. Whether romantic, carefree, elegant, glamourous, traditional, sexy, modern, or a combination of all, Trudys brides can find that perfectly portray each woman and her vision. Also recognized for Best Facebook Page, visit Trudys page for regular updates on special events and offerings, including their 2023 Disney Fairy Tale Weddings Collection. The series includes the main line and elevated styles, the Disney Platinum collection and many more princess-inspired wedding gowns. Appointments are necessary for bridal consultations. Mothers, Bridesmaids, Prom, Quinceanera, Sweet 16 and other special occasion dresses do not require an appointment. Trudys Brides & Special Occasions 1875 S. Bascom Ave., Campbell (408) 377-1987 trudysbrides.com Best Gift Store The Butter Paddle The 2023 winner for Best Gift Store in Silicon Valley also happens to be a completely volunteer-run, nonprofit organization led by EMQ Auxiliary and raising funds each year for Pacific Clinics (formerly Uplift Family Services). A destination gift store in downtown Los Gatos, the store sells distinctive, upscale gifts, home décor, jewelry, kitchen items, children's products and more from brands such as Annieglass and Mariposa recycled metal. The store is supported by a volunteer force of more than 70 women from Saratoga, San Jose, Los Gatos, Campbell and Santa Cruz. The highly skilled volunteer team includes experts in merchandising, marketing and display. People from other stores are always asking who did the window displays and wanting to hire them, but they are all volunteers! Not only known for great customer service, high-quality merchandise and free gift wrap, customers know that when they buy something, the money goes to a good cause, so they think of The Butter Paddle first when they need gifts. 33 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos (408) 395-1678 butterpaddle.com S32 BAY AREA NEWS GROUP 111 Advertising Section SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2023

• Cover