Peggy Dover

To everyone who knows her, there’s no doubt that Carroll Newcomb loves her chosen vocation as a teacher at Prospect Charter School.

She gives her all, including being the lead dog in a human dog sled race, or doing laps around the track with her pet Corgi — both of them in pink tutus, but those are “tails” for another day. She’s dedicated to helping kids succeed. But further digging will uncover another passion.

She has weddings on the brain. For 10 years, Carroll has presided over wedding ceremonies as an ordained officiant, and when practicing full time, performs two-plus ceremonies per month.

“I have performed weddings on top of waterfalls and at Crater Lake,” Carroll said. “I’ve performed weddings on the banks of the Rogue River — whatever they want. I listen to the couple, then I write personalized vows just for them. I married my best friend’s son and his wife, and numerous other weddings that stand out as joyous.”

This summer, she ramped up the nuptial zing and added a long-held dream to her repertoire. Carroll delights in helping a bride-to-be find that special gown for the most important day of her life. Realizing that the cost of a new gown can be exorbitant and out of reach for many, she wanted to address the need.

“The dream started when I was tiny and I had a bride doll,” Carroll confessed. “My mother wouldn’t allow me to undress her, so I just put her away. Then, I was a bridal consultant in high school. It’s a fascination of mine, and I’m kind of known for my love of glitter.”

Her husband Ken supports the dream and helped make it happen.

“He said, ’I will bequeath you a third of my shop,’ Carroll said.

“He and some students of mine and a handyman built this for me,” she said as she stood proudly in front of her new baby — a sweet storefront called Vintage Value Weddings. Located at 1771 Mill Creek Drive in Prospect, it’s a classy yet affordable alternative to spending a major wad for a wedding gown.

With the average new dress costing somewhere around $2,000 last year, Carroll’s dresses just make sense.

“I buy all these dresses online and I don’t pay gazillions for them because my whole mission is to offer a woman a pretty dress and bridal experience that doesn’t cost a lot,” she said. “There are beautiful shops here in the valley, but when you come from an economically challenged area, you’re aware that people often can’t do that. This is for everybody. Most of my dresses sell for anywhere between $200 and $500.”

Some gowns are designer pieces, and while some are “pre-loved,” others have never been worn. She has a gorgeous Galina example on display that made me wish I was young, slim and engaged (briefly).

“I’ve got a couple of Maggie Sotteros and Vera Wangs,” Carroll added, always referring to her gowns in the feminine gender.

Carroll’s shop carries stunning hand-burned cowboy wedding hats by Laura Gilliam of 4G Ranch in Eagle Point, and she’s planning to offer jewelry, shoes and veils as well, though space is at a premium.

The Knot, an online wedding resource, supports the idea of vintage wedding stores to help defray the outlandish costs involved with weddings today.

With Carroll Newcomb’s Vintage Value Weddings, a bride can still be a knockout coming down the aisle on her special day and feel great knowing she won’t have to hock her future first born to pay for it. She can relax and enjoy the best of both worlds.

Carroll has it within her purview to put together a complete wedding package. She would like to direct her full-time attention to all things wedding once she’s ready to retire from the classroom.

“Every woman deserves to feel special once,” Carroll summed up. “It’s my desire to be able to provide that for her with the experience, the dress, and just to make dreams come true.”

To set up an appointment with Carroll and view her selections, give her a call at 805-746-5672. And check out her Facebook page at Vintage Value Weddings.