As the leader of a family-owned bridal company, Justin Alexander, approaching its 80th anniversary, Justin Warshaw understands legacy from a unique perspective. But while he has spent years helping brides celebrate life’s biggest milestones, becoming a husband (featured on our Spring 2023 cover) and father has given those moments an even deeper meaning.
Ahead of Father’s Day, Southern Bride sat down with Justin to talk about fatherhood, family traditions, raising two young sons, and what it means to lead a multi-generational business while building a legacy of his own.
You’ve experienced so many milestones in a short period of time—meeting Kelsey, getting married, and now becoming a father. How have those memories taken on new meaning?
It’s been an incredible evolution. Going from meeting someone during COVID, to getting engaged, getting married, and then having kids so quickly—it really feels full circle. Getting married, first of all, helped me better understand the world our customers live in. We’re trying to inspire brides and couples not only through the dresses we make, but through the campaigns we produce that tell beautiful love stories and celebrate families coming together.
Having children, though, puts everything into perspective. It’s incredibly grounding. I wasn’t sure how it would impact me. Obviously, I’m still so excited by everything I do at work, but it’s so nice to have these little ones to work for, so to speak.
You have two sons, Shiloh and Solomon. What has surprised you most about fatherhood?
I think the biggest thing is that the love just keeps growing. When your first baby arrives, it’s a shock. You’re learning how to care for this tiny human being that needs you, and you’re constantly in a state of being scared and fearful for this precious little child you’ve brought into the world.
Love grows from the moment you learn your partner is pregnant, to finding out the gender, picking a name, meeting the baby, and then getting to know the person they’re becoming. It just keeps building and building.
Before we had our second, I thought, ‘I don’t want to break this thing up. We have the coolest thing, the three of us. How is this new little guy going to fit in?’ But there’s always a way. Once he’s here, it feels like it was always supposed to be that way.
With the second, you know what you’re doing a little more, so that scared, freaked-out feeling doesn’t exist nearly as much. And somehow the love is just there too. It’s like the baby was always there, and it was always four of us. It’s amazing.
Their personalities are already beginning to shine through. How would you describe them?
Shiloh is the kindest child. We recently learned that all of the caregivers call him “Noble” because he’s so generous and caring. He’s always helping people, always laughing, and he has this incredibly gentle spirit despite being a big kid.
Solomon is seven months old and, honestly, he’s tricking us. He’s such an easy baby that we’re convinced he’s lulling us into a false sense of security. We keep saying there’s no way a baby can be this easy—something is coming! But he’s incredibly sweet, and we’re excited to watch their relationship grow as they get older.
You’re raising your children while leading a family business that’s been around since 1946. Do you ever think about whether they’ll one day join the company?
Of course. I’d love for them to be excited about what I do and maybe one day become part of it, but I don’t see myself forcing that path.
For me, joining the family business was an opportunity I always wanted. I saw what my father built and thought, “I’d love to put my own handwriting on this.” That’s exactly what I’ve been fortunate enough to do.
Business is constantly evolving, so who knows what it will look like when they’re older. My hope is simply that I continue building something innovative and exciting enough that they might want to be part of it one day.
As the company approaches its 80th anniversary, what family values have remained constant through the generations?
Family has always been at the center of everything, even though family businesses come with their own challenges. What’s remained constant is our commitment to our customers. My father’s philosophy was simple: treat people right. He instilled that in me from a very young age. We want our retail partners to succeed. We want to serve them well. We want to create products that genuinely help their businesses grow.
That commitment hasn’t changed in 80 years, and it’s something I hope never changes.
Has becoming a father changed the way you view weddings and the role of family in those celebrations?
More than anything, getting married changed my perspective because it gave me a firsthand understanding of the significance of choosing your partner. But fatherhood has deepened my appreciation for legacy. Choosing to build a family with someone is one of the most meaningful decisions you’ll ever make. It’s beautiful and incredibly rewarding.
Legacy has always mattered to me, but now it’s personal. I hope to leave behind something my children can be proud of—something that’s still relevant, still inspiring, and still helping brides celebrate one of the most important days of their lives.
How has parenthood strengthened the partnership you and Kelsey built on your wedding day?
I’ve always admired how caring Kelsey is. She works full-time, yet she’s also an incredible mother and caretaker. I travel frequently for work, and so much falls on her shoulders. I never take that for granted.
One thing that’s helped us tremendously is communication. I’m a big believer in openly sharing how you feel rather than letting things build up. We’ve learned to be honest with one another about what we need, and that’s made us stronger.
At the end of the day, we deeply respect each other and genuinely make each other better. That’s what matters most in a marriage.
What values do you hope your sons inherit from you and Kelsey?
From me, I hope they inherit a growth mindset—the belief that there’s always room to improve, learn, and become a better version of yourself.
From Kelsey, I hope they inherit her kindness. She’s effortlessly caring and thoughtful. She naturally looks after people.
If our boys grow up with both of those qualities—the drive to keep growing and the compassion to care for others—I would be incredibly proud.
What advice would you give newlyweds who are beginning this chapter together?
Communicate. Share how you’re feeling. Don’t let frustrations build up. Also, continue making time for each other. That’s important as newlyweds, but it’s just as important once children arrive. It’s easy for everything to become about the kids, because you love them so much. But your relationship needs attention too. Sometimes I have to remind Kelsey that we should get a babysitter and go to dinner—just the two of us. Protecting that time together is important because it’s the foundation everything else is built on.
With Father’s Day approaching, what does the holiday look like for your family these days?
We’re still creating our traditions. It’s an interesting transition because for so many years Mother’s Day and Father’s Day were about celebrating our parents. Then suddenly you’re the parent.
For Mother’s Day, we’ve started doing brunch with Kelsey and my mom, which has become really special. This Father’s Day will likely involve a family barbecue, but we’re still figuring out exactly what our traditions will be.
What’s been most meaningful is watching our parents step into the role of grandparents. Seeing my father play with my boys—building with magnetic tiles, getting down on the floor with them, spending more time at our house than ever before—has been one of the greatest joys of my life.
For years, our relationship centered around work. Now I get to watch him simply enjoy being “Grandpa,” and that’s something incredibly special.
A Legacy Beyond Bridal
As Justin Warshaw looks toward the future—both for his family and the company that bears his name—his vision remains rooted in the same values that have guided the brand for nearly eight decades: family, service, growth, and love.
This Father’s Day, it’s clear that while Justin continues to shape the future of bridal fashion, his favorite role may just be the one waiting for him at home: Dad.
wedding photography: Alessia Franco
