Yes. We are by appointment so that we can provide each of our clients with our undivided attention. The majority of what we sell is a special order, and many items can be customized. Working with a dedicated associate allows you to be educated on all of your options, as well as all of the unique services that the boutique has to offer.

We offer private shopping experiences on Sundays by special appointment, click to learn more about our White Carpet Appointments and Bridesmaid Soirees.

Our appointments are 1.5 hours in length.

We strongly recommend that you make separate appointments. Bridal appointments can be emotional and require making quite a few decisions. If your schedule allows, we recommend that you try to schedule separate appointments so that you can get the most out of each appointment. If your schedule limits you to requiring bridal and bridesmaid appointments on the same day, we do require a credit card to reserve these two back to back time slots on a Saturday. If the appointment is canceled with less than 48 hours notice, your card will be charged $50.

We do offer Bridesmaid Soiree appointments where you and your bridal party can have 2 hours of exclusive access to chic by the shore, our bridesmaid atelier. You and your bridesmaids will enjoy cupcakes and mimosas while experiencing a private shopping appointment. For further details, check out the Bridesmaid Soiree page on our website.

If you wear a bra or shoe size that is especially small or large, you may want to bring your own. Otherwise, we have both to offer you during the appointment. You will be working with a dedicated stylist, so feel free to bring any photos of gowns that you admire.

Please arrive at the time that your appointment is scheduled for. We often have appointments immediately before your appointment and (especially on a Saturday) will not be able to take you early. Furthermore, if you are late, this will cut into your appointment time. We also often have an appointment immediately following yours (especially on a Saturday) and therefore, we may not be able to extend your appointment time due to late arrival.

Due to Covid, we are keeping our front door locked. We ask that you ring us from your car upon arrival so that we can socially distance the parties as they enter the store.  Once each party is situated in their private bridal suite, we will invite the next party in.  We ask you for your patience with this new process.

Due to the current health crisis, we have limited guests to no more than 4 for bridal appointments. We understand that there are many special people in your life that want to be a part of this momentous decision; however, too many opinions can actually be detrimental. Try to limit your guests to those who understand your personal style and the overall look and feel of your wedding, so that they can assist you in selecting a gown that compliments both.

If you have more than 4 guests that would like to join you for the appointment, we can have them view your appointment from our front porch through our picture window.  These spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis and we ask that porch guests use the restroom before joining the appointment, as we have to limit the number of guests that enter the boutique. Please note, if a guest is going to be viewing from the porch, they must remain on the porch. We cannot “swap out” guests. 

As we recognize that bridal parties generally have more than 4 attendants, we recommend scheduling a bridesmaid soiree. We are utilizing our outdoor garden space as a place for the bridal party to congregate (and celebrate), as we work with 4 maids at a time in Chic by the shore, our maids atelier.

If you feel that you want to make a big reveal of your decision for your bridal party or your extended family, we offer Gown Reveal Appointments on Thursday evenings from 5-8 pm and  White Carpet Appointments on Sundays.  Right now, we are limiting these reveal appointments to 4 guests, but are happy to coordinate a Facetime or Zoom call with anyone who cannot be here in person.

White Carpet Appointments provide you with 3 hours of exclusive access to the boutique. You are treated to champagne and sweet or savory treats during your visit, and a photographer is present to capture all of the wonderful memories as they unfold. You will leave the appointment with a SWAG bag full of our favorite things! For further details, check out the Pricing Details page on our website.  We are currently allowing up to 6 guests for a White Carpet Appointment.

They are allowed, but we ask that you refrain from taking them until the end of the appointment when we have helped you narrow down your choices to 3 gowns. Taking them throughout the appointment can be distracting and may not be the best use of your time.

We also ask that when viewing the photos to remember that our gowns are samples and may not be in the color or condition that your gown will be upon its arrival. Also, the gown has not been professionally fit to your body and therefore may not be lying exactly right.

We adore children, but our boutique is filled with delicate, expensive items and it is not an appropriate environment for them.  Children require a lot of care and attention and we also feel that caring for them takes the attention away from the bride, which in our world, is always the star of the show! We kindly request that you leave small children at home.

We accept a $25 reservation fee for first time bridal shopping appointments. That fee is credited to your gown purchase if you buy a gown from us.

For all other appoitments (bridesmaids, accessories and gown reveal appointments) a $25 cancellation fee is applied if you do not show up for your appointment or if you cancel within 48 hours of the scheduled appointment.

The only time we discount is during a special event or trunk show. For further details, check out the Discounting Policy page on our website.

We do offer a 5% discount on bridesmaid purchases from our bridesmaid designers if you purchase your gown with us.  If you are a #thewhitedressbytheshorebride, you will also receive an additional 5% discount off of your maids purchase during a soiree.

A trunk show is when a designer sends in an extended version of their collection. There is frequently a special offer that is provided during the event as an incentive to buy. Very often, the designer or a company representative is present at the trunk show, which allows you to fully experience the nuances and beauty of the collection.

Following are our recommended lead times for each of our categories:

Bridal Gown 9-12 months in advance of the wedding

Bridesmaids 5 months in advance of the wedding

Accessories 2-3 months in advance of the wedding

Veil 2-3 months in advance of the wedding

Shoes and Undergarments 1 month in advance of your fittings starting (Your bridal alterations should begin 4 months in advance of your wedding)

As a significant number of our brides rescheduled their weddings from 2020 to 2021, currently our 2021 alterations calendar is booked.  We do have a network of talented and reputable seamstresses both in and out of the state that we can refer our brides to. Your stylist will make a recommendation for you based on your gown and where you live.

We are fortunate that brides travel great distances to visit our boutique. If you wanted to enjoy a meal either before or after your appointment, we highly recommend Chamard Vineyard. It is a delightful vineyard right here in Clinton with delicious wine and french inspired farm to table cuisine.  We are also only a mile from Clinton Marina and there are several beautiful outdoor dining spots right on the water! If shopping with us is just not enough for you, Clinton is also home to The Clinton Crossing Outlets. You can visit some of our faves like Kate Spade, J.Crew, Micheal Kors, and Saks 5th Avenue.

We require payment in full when you say yes to your dream wedding gown.  However, we know that these are difficult times and we want to help in any way possible.  We now have the option for a payment plan.  Inquire within for more information. 

If you are purchasing a sample wedding gown, we require payment in full. 

If you are purchasing accessories, veils, or bridesmaid's dresses we require payment in full.  

When you submit an appointment request for a bridal or sample closet appointment, you will be charged a $25 reservation fee. This fee only applies to first time bridal shopping appointments. This fee is credited back if you purchase a gown from us.   A $25 cancellation fee applies for all other types of appointments (accessories, bridesmaids and reveal appointments).  That fee is only charged if you cancel in less than 24 hours.