Today we’d like to introduce you to Roberta Noronha.
Roberta, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
In 2010, I was wedding dress shopping with a friend at a high-end bridal store in Gainesville, FL, when the manager (my now business pater, Tali Gallo) started making small talk with me and eventually asked for my resume. At first, I was skeptical about working in a bridal store, but I figured I would until I was able to figure out what I wanted to really do for a career. A short year later, I was transferred to work and assist in managing their Orlando location. After seven years of styling brides from all over the world, managing the bridal store, and building relationships in the wedding industry with world-renowned designers and wedding vendors, the owners of the boutique decided to sell. Finding out about the sale of the bridal boutique was heartbreaking. I was lost and had no idea what I would do next. I remember thinking about what other areas of the wedding industry I could make my big move to, but nothing seemed right. That’s when Tali reached out to me and told me her idea of opening The Bridal Finery. She was on a mission to create a wedding dress store where brides could come in and enjoy a private wedding dress shopping experienceand I was in!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I mean, is starting a business ever smooth sailing? Tali and I started The Bridal Finery with so many doubts, but full of many hopes and dreams. We have the habit of dreaming really big, seeing the bigger picture, but we make a plan for the smaller steps to get there. 2020 was a year that no one expected. We went through a world-wide pandemic, which we are still in. Weddings were canceled and postponed, brides had no idea of how to go out and wedding dress shop again, and in the midst of all of this, we had just signed a lease on a second location weeks before the shutdown in Florida. On the one hand, it gave us time to really focus on opening the second store, setting it up, and finishing therenovations. In May 2020, we were able to open our doors once again, and having the two stores is perfect. We can now help two brides find their wedding dress in two separate bridal shops while enjoying private appointments.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At The Bridal Finery, we are known for our attention to personal detail, private appointments, and the selection of designer wedding dresses offered. Brides have two different ways of shopping for their wedding dress. The first is a traditional experience, where they come in and try on a sample wedding dress and then we order a new one for each bride. The other is a new spin on purchasing a sample sale wedding dress. The sample sale selection is more comparable to the“Nordstrom Rack” concept. We take overflow inventory directly from the designers and other wedding dress boutiques throughout the country. We are also known for our vast selection of bridal jewelry, undergarments,bridal lingerie, and veils.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Memorable family time included Sunday lunches with all of my cousins, uncle, and grandparents. I remember sitting around the table for hours, listening to jokes told by my grandmother and cousin, my grandfather whistling, and the table filled with food, family, and lots of laughter. After hours of eating and laughing around the table, we would all get up and go outside to play. My grandmother would show us how to jump rope and how much better and faster she was than us. I can only hope that one day my daughters will share their favorite childhood experience with so much love as I do.
Pricing:
- Wedding Dresses: $2,000 – $14,000
- Hairpieces: $300 – $1,500
- Lingerie & Robes: $62 – $600
- Veils: $300 – $2500
Contact Info:
- Email: roberta@thebridalfinery.com
- Website: www.thebridalfinery.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebridalfinery/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebridalfinery
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCBEwR339FtrdCeIV0ek39Q/featured
- Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thebridalfinery/
Image Credits
Photos by Rudy & Marta Photography https://www.rudyandmarta.com/
