Business Details
21 Years
experience
Your Dream Wedding Gown Awaits in Clinton, CT
For over two decades, The White Dress by the shore has redefined bridal gown shopping as an intimate, joyful experience rooted in personalized service and timeless elegance. Located in a historic home in Clinton, Connecticut, our boutique blends luxury with warmth, offering brides a sanctuary to discover their perfect gown. Our process begins with a tailored phone consultation, where expert stylists learn your vision before inviting you to one of our themed bridal suitesParis, Nice, Versailles, and Caprifor a curated selection of designer dresses.With a focus on kindness, expertise, and attention to detail, we ensure every bride feels celebrated throughout their journey. Our commitment extends beyond the gown, with customization options, preservation services, and virtual home try-ons for distant clients. As industry leaders, we advocate for bridal education through our founder Beth Chapmans speaking engagements and The White Dress Society, supporting independent bridal store owners nationwide.
Services
Bridal Gown Consultation
Bridesmaid Styling
Gown Preservation
Fur Rentals
Virtual Home Try-On
Details
- Year established: 2005
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of expertise in bridal fashion and styling.
- Our private bridal suites provide a personalized, stress-free shopping experience.
- We guarantee gown preservation services for lasting heirloom quality.
- Our virtual TWD at Home service accommodates long-distance brides.
- We feature exclusive designer collections unavailable elsewhere in Connecticut.
What people say
BEST experience
Perfect dress
Exceptional service
Unforgettable experience
Stress-free shopping
Services
Bridal Gown Consultation
Personalized bridal gown consultations begin with a phone interview to understand your vision, followed by a private appointment in our themed suites. Our stylists curate selections from top designers like Hayley Paige and Justin Alexander, ensuring options for every body type and budget. With expert alterations guidance and customization options, we help brides find gowns that reflect their unique style and personality.
Gown Preservation
Our museum-quality preservation service protects your investment through hand-cleaning, anti-sugar stain treatment, and acid-free archival storage. Gowns are processed locally in Connecticut with a 6-8 week turnaround, including return shipping in a display-ready preservation box. This service is available for both in-house and external purchases.
Fur Rentals
We offer luxury fur rentals for winter weddings, including minks, stoles, and wraps in ivory and white tones. Available in multiple sizes, these heirloom-quality pieces provide warmth and photographic elegance. Rentals include delivery instructions and care guidelines for hassle-free use on your special day.
Virtual Try-On
The TWD at Home service ships up to three off-the-rack gowns directly to your door with virtual stylist support. Clients receive personalized sizing guidance, try-on instructions, and a prepaid return label. This option suits brides with tight timelines or those unable to visit our Connecticut boutique.
Bridesmaid Styling
Our Bridesmaid Soiree package provides private styling sessions for bridal parties, including champagne toasts and exclusive discounts. Stylists coordinate with the bride beforehand to ensure cohesive aesthetics across all attendants' attire, with options spanning multiple designers and price points.
People
Beth Chapman
Owner/Stylist
Bridal industry leader with 20+ years of experience, founder of The White Dress Society, and educator for The Knot's Wedding Pro division. Specializes in personalized styling and bridal business consulting.
Diane
Bridal Stylist
Expert in Justin Alexander designs with a focus on creating stress-free appointments. Known for her one-dimple smile and commitment to helping brides find their perfect gown.
Erin
Store Manager/Stylist
Skilled in Anne Barge collections and parallel parking. Oversees daily operations while providing personalized bridal guidance in our luxury suites.
Mariah
Assistant Store Manager
Theatrical costume design background informs her eye for detail. Coordinates operations and styling for both bridal and bridesmaid appointments.
Shana
Bridesmaid Coordinator
Former ice hockey player with a passion for Schitt's Creek. Specializes in coordinating bridal party styling and event logistics.
Questions
What bridal appointment types do you offer?
We offer six appointment types: Exploratory, Classic, Hayley Paige, Palm Suite, White Carpet, and Unforgettable Experiences, each with unique amenities and durations.
Can I try on wedding gowns without visiting the boutique?
Yes, our TWD at Home service ships up to three off-the-rack gowns directly to your door with virtual styling support.
Do you carry plus-size wedding dresses?
Yes, our collection includes plus-size options with expert styling available to ensure comfort and confidence during the shopping process.
What preservation services do you offer for wedding gowns?
We provide museum-quality cleaning and preservation with acid-free storage, including a $75 discount for brides using the service before their wedding day.
Are virtual styling consultations available?
Yes, we offer virtual consultations for gown selections, alterations guidance, and post-purchase styling advice through FaceTime or phone appointments.
Do you rent winter accessories for weddings?
Yes, we offer luxury fur rentals in multiple styles and sizes to complement winter bridal attire, available for short-term use.
Reviews (5)
Alexa Keegan
Jun 24, 2022
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Needed to share an exceptional story from this boutique! I had tried on some dresses where I live (in NYC), and found one I absolutely loved but wouldn't be ready in time for my wedding. I googled the dress in case I could find it anywhere else, and this store came up in my search results. I called them, and they explained that unfortunately they only had samples to try on, but would place an order through the same designer that wouldn't be ready in time.
But just before hanging up, the wonderful store associate/manager said she had an idea - then she went to go check, and found they had an unopened sample and would sell it to me (it just so happened to be right around my size)! She & the team proceeded to provide the most incredibly helpful customer service, going totally above & beyond to make sure they could ship it to me in NYC. I was stunned! For what can be an incredibly stressful decision, I can't imagine you could be in better care than this team. 10 out of 5 stars for helping me find my perfect dress when I thought hope was lost!
But just before hanging up, the wonderful store associate/manager said she had an idea - then she went to go check, and found they had an unopened sample and would sell it to me (it just so happened to be right around my size)! She & the team proceeded to provide the most incredibly helpful customer service, going totally above & beyond to make sure they could ship it to me in NYC. I was stunned! For what can be an incredibly stressful decision, I can't imagine you could be in better care than this team. 10 out of 5 stars for helping me find my perfect dress when I thought hope was lost!
Shannon McCarthy
Apr 20, 2022
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Had such a wonderful and special experience finding my dress here. Olivia made not only me feel special but made the experience unforgettable for the friends/family that I brought with me. I was nervous about saying yes to the dress since it was the exact opposite of what I thought I wanted; but, Olivia was extremely kind, helpful and understanding. She is amazing at what she does! The other staff members around were also very kind and smiled/acknowledged us which didn't happen at the first dress shop I went to. I feel very lucky to have found my dress here. Highly recommend!
Stephanie Schmitt
Feb 06, 2022
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RUN, don't walk, to The White Dress. I couldn't have dreamed of a better shopping experience. From the moment I walked in, Erin and the staff were welcoming and made myself and my family feel comfortable. Erin was incredibly knowledgeable, thoughtful, and fun. She listened to me intently and chose dresses for me as if she was reading my mind. I felt like she was my fairy god mother guiding me on the dress shopping journey The collection of dresses they have is incredible- every dress I tried on was stunning. This was hands down the best dress shopping experience I had and I can't wait to wear what we picked! I truly cannot recommend The White Dress more.
Erin Shannon
Jan 19, 2022
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Michelle and everyone at White Dress by the Shore were amazing. I had no idea about what I was walking into as it was my very first dress appointment but Michelle made me feel so comfortable and relaxed. I was really vague about what I was looking for but she took the small information I offered and pulled dresses that captured my vision better than I ever could have described myself. She was also so mindful of budget and was not pushy at all.
I ended up finding my absolute dream dress (plus veil and gorgeous jewelry) and could not be more excited or more pleased with my experience. I was actually sad that it was over because it was such a special time. You need to go to this here for your dress, you won't regret it!
I ended up finding my absolute dream dress (plus veil and gorgeous jewelry) and could not be more excited or more pleased with my experience. I was actually sad that it was over because it was such a special time. You need to go to this here for your dress, you won't regret it!
Ciara Waters
Nov 30, 2021
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The White Dress by the Shore came highly recommended by a friend and it is so obvious why. The staff is just wonderful. The store is so adorable and intimate. The selection is to die for. And we found my dream dress without going over budget. They have incredibly high standards when it comes to alterations and you leave with your dress in hand feeling like it was made for you. 10/10 would recommend! Photo credit: Trailing Twine Photography
