Anthony Poulos co-owns Bride to Be Couture with mom Dina (right). Bridal stylist (left) is Arianna Pandelopoulos. The model is Delia Ciobanu.

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - A lone male in an exquisite bubble of femininity at the Bride to Be Couture salon in Carmichael, Anthony Poulos gets an earful of girl talk. He sees up to 50 brides a week. His staff includes 27 young women.

“I hear about boyfriends and fashion all day,” said the 36-year-old. “It can get exhausting. I was an only child and I've acquired 27 sisters. I'm used to it now, but when a groom comes in for a tuxedo fitting or even a delivery guy, it's great to talk football.”

Canadian-born of Greek extraction, the Jesuit High graduate has co-owned the business with parents Dina and Ted “Lucky” Poulos for seven years. Poulos' previous career was in telecommunication.

“I saw my mother start a bridal business that quickly grew from a small storefront to this 9,000-square-foot salon,” Poulos said. “She was working so hard. I'd been with a Fortune 500 corporation for 10 years. I didn't feel they cared about people. I felt no personal connection there.”

Poulos' career switch helped an over-worked mother and upped his job satisfaction. He now runs salon finances.

“My son has real business smarts,” Dina Poulos said. “He knows how to allocate  buying, budgeting and investing. His youthful perspective stops me getting set in my ways. Anthony helps the store function at its highest level.”

Indeed, community and business polls have voted the family business Sacramento's top bridal resource for years. But chief financial officer Poulos didn't know a crinoline from a cats-eye neckline seven years ago. Now, bustles, basques and bateau necks are his everyday vocabulary. 

A masculine minority in an ocean of estrogen, Poulos' opinion is frequently sought.

“He has great taste,” Dina Poulos said. “Many brides want a male perspective. They take note of his suggestions.”

The store carries gowns from all over the world. But saying yes to one dress is ultimately one woman's call. Poulos warns against soliciting too many opinions.

“When shopping for a gown, inviting the entire wedding party to have a say can be overwhelming,” Poulos said. “A bride needs only a couple of people with her, people whose opinion really matters to her. In her dress, she should feel pretty, confident and really feel like a bride. We always know when a bride's found her gown. She stands taller. Her eyes glow. Many girls still try on more dresses; they don't want the magical experience to end. But they always return to the one that made them so happy. Only one thing matters about a wedding dress. It's how a bride feels in it.”

With son, mother and father involved, Bride to Be Couture is a true family business.

“My husband used to work in construction and, like Anthony, he's all man,” Dina Poulos said. “But when I opened my first little store, my husband was there, steaming trains and arranging veils. When we made our first sale, Ted handed the bride her purchase and politely asked her to come back again. I said, honey, we're not that kind of business!”

Sacramento’s go-to bridal salon is a mom, son and pop business. Co-owner and financial guru Anthony Poulos (left) joins his partners, parents Dina and Ted ‘Lucky’ Poulos.

Her son, Poulos, is six-feet tall and prefers deer hunting to dancing. His role in the world of tulle and trains sometimes floors new acquaintances.

“When I say I own a bridal store, I get weird looks and judgement,” Poulos said. “I wasn't at all interested in fashion at first but I've learned to appreciate it. And I love working in an industry where everyone's happy. I'm proud to be part of the most important day in people's lives. Plus, I get to work with the parents who've been my best friends for 36 years.”

The Poulos's salon '“family” has grown to 30 workers. Stylists, saleswomen, receptionists and tailors are all immaculate in “Queen Dina's” trademark black ensembles.

“My mom takes girls and teaches them to be ladies,” Poulos said. “We have a small turnover but every employee who's left this place is a better person because of mom.  She's more like a mom than a merchant. I'd be nothing without her, either.”

What is the bachelor's vision of a gown to adorn the woman destined to meet him at the aisle?

“I see her in a fitted dress with long sleeves,” he projected. “It has a high neck and a keyhole back. It's classic but sexy. I've seen enough gowns to know what I prefer.”

And the woman?

“I'm still hoping to find her,” Poulos said. “My mom has set the highest standard. A woman with her drive and creativity would make me very happy.”