Charleston Bridal Boutique| Verita Bridal
Introducing Verita Bridal Boutique in Mount Pleasant
This week I introduce you to Jessica Kiss. She and her husband, Nick, are the owners of the newest bridal boutique serving the Charleston area, Verita Bridal Boutique. As I started writing this blog, I initially mistyped her last name as Sweet because she does just exude a sweet personality that you can't wait to get to know, but her real surname is even more fitting for someone in the wedding industry. Seriously?! How great is Kiss?
I was fortunate enough to be invited in to get a glimpse at what a wonderful job she does with her brides making them feel so special. Jessica is one of those extroverts that thrives off of meeting and connecting with others. She describes herself as a "people person" that loves "creating genuine connections with my brides" She says, "I get to know them and become a friend, in turn I get to help them find probably the most monumental garment they'll ever wear. Seeing the joy and emotion of that moment never gets old to me." She described one of her most memorable moments with a bride to me and it was evident that she does have a way with connecting.
She had just finished helping a bride choose the perfect dress and had suggested they try a veil. As Jessica placed the veil on her head, the song "Wild Horses" came on and the bride began to cry. The song had a meaningful connection to the bride's late father leaving her feeling that he was sending her a message. Jessica was able to empathize with this bride because she lost her own father shortly before her own wedding. "It was such a beautiful, emotional moment that I felt so honored to be a part of." In fact to add to this personal touch, a painting that hangs in the boutique is actually a painting from Nick and Jessica's own wedding.
The shop has been a long time in the making. Jessica got her start in the wedding fashion industry about ten years ago in her home state of Maryland. With her eye for fashion, detail, and ability to connect, she was quickly promoted from stylist & consultant to store manager. Five year later when she moved to Charleston, she started working for another bridal shop here and quickly climbed her way to store manager there as well. Early on she knew that one day she wanted to own her own boutique and in October 2017 she and her husband made that dream a reality.
The boutique has been thoughtfully planned. The walls are painted a lovely lavender shade and colorful accents bring such joy while being paired with a relaxing spa-like feeling with Himalayan salt lamps. When you walk in you will find lavender oil diffusing through the store and be greeted by Jessica's warm smile.
They carry only exclusive designers making them perfect for the bride that wants something unique and not seen anywhere else. They carry designers like Rebecca Ingram by Maggie Sottero, Madison James, Allure Mix & Match, Tara Keely, and Calla Blanche.
“Unique, statement-making, show-stopping gowns are our specialty.”
Her big piece of advice to brides circles on not putting pressure on yourself to have some clarifying moment. "I think many brides put too much pressure on themselves to have this perfect moment with a gown - you know, the tears, the chills, the moment of clarity. My theory is that finding "the one" can be easy if you let it be. Let your moment with a dress happen naturally and don't have too many expectations about what sort of emotions you'll feel about the experience. Everyone is different. Some people will have a very visceral reaction to a dress, others won't and it'll just be a decision they have to make between a few favorites. Let your process unravel organically, and don't wait for this intense moment to happen."
They're a full-service location offering styling and consultation on accessories, bridesmaid gowns, and even mother of the bride/groom gowns. Each bride gets to walk around the shop choosing the gowns to try in a luxurious satin robe. It's been a bride favorite.
When she's not working, this newly wed can be found outdoors or doing something fun with her pups. You can't live in Charleston and NOT be a foodie so she and Nick also enjoy trying new foods and hitting up divey secret locations. Their favorite restaurant (which is not divey at all) is Indaco. She recommends that every person that lives or visits Charleston needs to explore the rich history of downtown. If time allows, she also recommends taking a tour of Boone Hall Plantation, one of Charleston's most sought after wedding venues.
