Vendors I Love: AGENCY 8
I worked with Lizzy on a recent wedding up at Wave Hill in Riverdale. It was my first time working with a bridal stylist and I have to say the bride (and groom!) always looked great. Getting ready early in the day, and then taking hours of photos, dresses and suit are sometimes wrinkled and weary before the ceremony. However, Lizzy and her team took the time to refresh in a way that was so caring. Beyond excited to shine a little light on Lizzy Polden and Agency 8.
photo by Colby Blount
What was the path that led you to become a bridal stylist?
At a really young age I knew I wanted to work in the fashion industry. I would dress and undress my Barbie for hours on end. At age 11, I learned about F.I.T. and that was soon the only college I had my heart set on. After graduating F.I.T. with an Accessories Design degree and a few design internships under my belt with brands like Ralph Lauren, my professors encouraged me to pursue becoming a Fashion Editor. My first job out of college was at InStyle magazine. I moved from there to Fitness magazine and then was offered an opportunity from my mentor, fashion stylist Lisa Bradkin, to work on a women's catalog. We traveled to Santa Barbara for a week-long shoot with Talbots and the rest is history! I stayed in this division of fashion, working for various American brands that are household names like Target, Macy's, Amazon, and Saks Fifth Avenue.
I have been a fashion stylist for twenty years now. And I’ve worked on every kind of photoshoot from high fashion to alcohol campaigns, to pharmaceutical advertisements to vacuum commercials and everything in between. Then 10 years ago when my friends started getting married, they asked me to style them. Honestly, I thought was unnecessary and pretentious, until I saved each one of their weddings from wardrobe malfunctions! I have loved working in the wedding world immensely since then.
What excites you about weddings?
It is such a significant and emotional day for not only the bride and groom but the entire group of friends and families that are uniting. Ceremony and tradition are deeply important to me and being able to support my Brides on this very meaningful day means the absolute world to me. I do not take my placement on a wedding day lightly. Each one of my brides becomes a dear friend and I do everything in my power to make sure they look and feel amazing and simply covered in peace and celebration throughout the day.
photo by Samm Blake
What do you look for in a couple?
The relationship between fashion stylist and client is so intimate. It's important that a couple genuinely wants my support and understands I am the one vendor that is there for them and only them. My services offer emotional and physical support along with the insurance to solve any fashion emergencies that may come up (and they always come up!)
What is the greatest compliment you’ve ever received?
Every testimonial I have ever received makes me cry with gratitude! Most brides have no idea why they need me until they need me. They often hire me because their Mom, best friend or Planner told them they need me, but they are very skeptical. So when I receive a note saying "I could not have gotten married without you! You were the wedding day MVP and worth every single penny!" I am elated.
What do you desire for your business?
I would love to work with more brides, touching more families, making their wedding days less stressful and more fun! Having a stylist by your side means the wedding day runs smoother. It allows your friends and family the ability to celebrate without thinking about how to bustle your dress or take out a stain or make sure you look perfect during photos and when entering your ceremony. I want to spread the word that hiring a bridal stylist offers a very long list of support and expertise that only a well-trained professional can offer. My dream is that having a bridal stylist becomes a standard wedding vendor consideration.
photo by Cadence Kennedy
What are you grateful for?
Incredible clients and wedding planners. These are the people who sing my praises and convince their friends and family to trust them and just book me.
Any recent cause for celebration?
I am so honored to have styled the most kind and beautiful bride this past spring at the Central Park Zoo with Veronica Joy Events. It was also featured in Vogue India. That was an incredible experience and celebration for the entire team of vendors! It really takes a village to curate a memorable and seamless wedding bash.
Please contact, check out, and follow Lizzy Polden & AGENCY 8 online: