The White Dress by the shore owner, Beth Chapman is the founder of an organization for independent bridal retailers called The White Dress Society. She founded the Society in 2017 as a vehicle for community and education for bridal store owners. Every year The White Dress Society retailers gather for a Retreat. This year's Retreat took place in sunny St. Pete, Florida. The event was 2 years in the making, as it had to be rescheduled twice due to Covid. So, everyone was more than ready to socialize and learn!
The event was split between The Birchwood and Vinoy hotels and was planned by Tracie Domino Events and coordinated by Kambria Sims of Happenings by Kambria.
The blooms for the event were provided by Something Borrowed Blooms. Believe it or not, the flowers were all faux! We love the sustainable mission of Something Borrowed Blooms, and the co-founder Lauren Bercier spoke to the group about sustainability in the bridal industry.
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There was an esteemed group of speakers for the event including pictured above: Emilie Smith of Wedding Pro, Adrienne Dorison of Run Like Clockwork, Cindy Novotny of Master Connection, and Elodie Duyer of Vow for Girls, and organization that The White Dress Society and The White Dress by the shore support. Vow for Girls mission is to end childhood marriage of girls and believe in #loveontheirowntermsas . Additional speakers pictured below were Shaffone Meyers of Pretty Pear Bride, Angela Desvaux of Wed Luxe Magazine, Christine McDannell of The Magnolia Firm, Kirsten Palladino of Equally Wed, Ty McBrayer and Liz Cox of The Refined Business Collective.
DJ Brian B was the MC of the event and spun some great tunes..so of course, there were a few impromptu dance parties!
There was a store panel with some of the most innovative store owners in North America, including The White Magnolia, Sash and Bustle, Charlotte's Weddings and Revelle Bridal.
There was also an innovative designer panel with Anne Barge, Sara Gabriel, Justin Alexander, Pretty Pear Bride and our very own, Melissa Oddo who talked about the future of alterations and seamstresses and her organization, The Stitched Collective.
We can't wait until next year's White Dress Society Retreat!