About Us

Coreena Ferrata – Owner

Coreena was born in Naples, Italy, as her parents were serving overseas in the US Air Force. Soon after, her family relocated to Mckinney, Texas where she attended Prosper High School. Coreena moved to College Station in 2010 to attend Texas A&M where she met and fell in love with her husband Nick towards the end of her third year.

Just prior to graduating in 2014, Nick proposed to Coreena at the Aggie Ring Plaza the day after she earned her Aggie ring. They enjoyed a beautiful destination wedding in Cabo San Lucas in June of 2015. Coreena’s hunt for a one-of-a-kind beach wedding gown inspired her to completely redesign the dress she purchased. Since then, she has designed gowns for close family and friends who also desired a couture look.

In 2017, Coreena decided to put designing on hold to pursue a new dream—opening a full service bridal boutique. Coreena’s personal experience of shopping for her own wedding dress sparked her passion for helping brides, with the ultimate goal of providing a unique selection of designer gowns that offer a couture look for an affordable price. More importantly, offering that possibility in College Station. Part of her vision of an all-in-one shopping experience included the necessity of on-site alterations. Local brides enjoy brands commonly found in larger cities, without the travel for multiple alterations appointments.

Nettie Kelly - Alterations Manager/Seamstress

After retiring from Sterling C. Evans Library, TAMU in 2010, Nettie’s life-long hobby with textiles developed into a career as an educator and creating “One of a kind” apparel and home decor.

Having been self-taught, Nettie started sewing at a young age. She perfected her skills by making her own clothing as well as clothing for her sisters, nieces, and for the men in her life.

Nettie’s accomplishments include owning a small home-based business, “Studio Couture”, creating custom patterns for couture wedding gowns, brides maids, mother of the bride/groom dresses, casual apparel, quilts, home decor and much more. Nettie and her mother-in-law, Dorothy Kelly replicated Barbara Bush’s wedding dress that resides at the George Bush Presidential Library.

Teaching a variety of techniques for apparel, quilting and home decor,  Nettie’s energized devotion shines as she inspires creativity by teaching various technique-based sewing classes.

Nettie met Coreena and her husband Nick in 2015, bringing Coreena’s wedding gown sketches to life for Coreena’s brides. When asked to join Coreena’s Bridal as Alterations Manager, Nettie was overjoyed at the opportunity to bring joy to brides every day. To the staff at Coreena’s, she is often referred to as “The Magician” for her incredible ability to transform any gown into a custom piece of art.

Katrislan Hawkins - Assistant Manager/Stylist

Katristlan was Born in Bay City and raised in Georgetown, Texas. After high school, she moved to College Station to attend Texas A&M University as a pre-veterinarian student. She graduated in May of 2016 with a bachelors of science in biomedical science and a minor in philosophy.

Throughout college and for a few years post graduation, Katrislan worked in the service industry as a waitress and bartender. Working in a customer service-oriented environment has taught Katrislan pristine hospitality skills that are a part of what makes brides’ experience with us truly memorable. She enjoys going above and beyond to personalize the shopping experience for each bride she encounters.

Working at Coreena’s Bridal has been a fun and exciting experience for Katrislan. She relishes in the positive and uplifting atmosphere that comes with helping brides find and fall in love with the dress that they will wear when they eventually say “I do.”

Kelly Haverland - Stylist

Originally from The Woodlands, Texas, Kelly came to College Station to attend Texas A&M University. After receiving her bachelors degree in history, she met her husband Paul and decided to stay and raise a family. Now a boy mom of two, she has spent the last 9 years raising her boys as a stay at home mom in South College Station.

Since high school, Kelly has always had a love for all things beauty. As a makeup artist, she enjoys helping women achieve self-confidence through makeup and fashion. Once both of her kids began elementary school, the opportunity arose to work in the bridal industry.

As a bridal stylist, Kelly thrives by helping brides express their vision while staying true to themselves which ultimately helps them feel and look their best. She believes that your wedding is uniquely yours and your wedding dress should reflect that. She prides herself on making sure every bride feels comfortable and special from the moment they walk in.

Morgan Wheeler - Stylist

After growing up in Beaumont, Texas, Morgan moved to College Station in 2018 to attend nursing school.

With five years of experience working in the service industry as a waitress/bartender, her hospitality skills are well refined. A conversation with Morgan is effortless and memorable as her genuine care for others is at the forefront of her shining personality.

Not only is she known for turning nervous brides into fast friends, her ability to turn a detailed vision into reality is a passion and skill of hers.

Craving an environment that emits positivity and self-love, Morgan was eager to transition into the bridal industry. The whole staff at Coreena’s was thrilled to welcome her as a new member of the team.

Ashley Salazar - Stylist

Ashley loved growing up in the great city of Houston with a diverse surrounding. She thrived on meeting new people through pageantry, extracurricular activities, and volunteering. She’s always had a passion for fashion and has enjoyed styling friends and family on a regular basis.

Ashley knew from a young age that she would one day work in the bridal industry, helping women find their perfect dress for one of the most memorable  days of their lives. As an excited new team member, working at Coreena’s finally made her bridal dreams a reality!

Claire Shakesby - Stylist

Australian by citizenship, born in Antofagasta, Chile, Claire has lived in many different places until she turned nine and her family settled in Plano, Texas.

After graduating high school, she moved to College Station to attend Texas A&M University where she currently studyies Communications with a minor in Sociology.

Her future plans include traveling through Europe, Southeast Asia, and South America, as well as getting her Master’s Degree in a Communications-related field.

Claire loves working in bridal because it is a creative outlet for her interest in fashion and beauty. Her favorite part is the moment that our amazing brides realize how beautiful they really are!

Sommer VanHook - Receptionist

Sommer moved to College Station from Edinburg, Texas to study biomedical science at Texas A&M University. She is currently working on her application for veterinary school while also working full-time as a virology diagnostic technician and weekends at Coreena’s Bridal!

She enjoys everything about the bridal experience but most of all, witnessing the special and joyous moments brides share with their loved ones.

Velia Saenz - Seamstress

The sister of Nettie Kelly, Velia has numerous years of experience sewing all sorts of garments. She enjoys being surrounded by beauty and never misses an opportunity to browse the racks to scan for new arrivals. She and Nettie make an excellent team and together they put the final touches on every dress, making sure that every bride’s vision comes to life.