OCEAN CITY – Coming soon, Sandals Bridal & Formal Wear will be offering everything from wedding gowns to tuxedos to prom dresses.
Sandals Bridal & Formal Wear Owner/President Maria McEvoy has started a new chapter in her life with the opening of the new boutique this month. It is located in West Ocean City off of Stephen Decatur Hwy. in the Teal Marsh Shopping Center.
Working in Ocean City’s bar industry for the past 17 years and running a Ravens Roost, McEvoy developed the knack for party planning and decided to start taking online courses in wedding and event planning over this past winter.
“I was looking for something where I could enjoy myself by putting time into it and make a living … I love to plan parties. I love a good time, and what is better feeling than a wedding. Now is the time for me to make this step,” McEvoy said. “I saw the best way to get new clients for a wedding planning business is to work in a bridal store.”
In speaking to others, McEvoy learned prom, homecoming and party goers were driving as far as Annapolis to find the perfect dress.
“We are such a destination for weddings … let’s keep the business here on the Eastern Shore and work with the other businesses in the event planning industry referring customers to each other,” McEvoy said. “Let’s keep it here in Ocean City, that’s the main goal.”
McEvoy reached out to a friend, Jodie Noonan, who started out in the event planning industry by owning her own bridal store in Salisbury but now owns the planning business, Barefoot Beach Bride.
“She has been mentoring me through this whole process,” McEvoy said.
McEvoy and Noonan are currently in the works of planning a fashion show to take place in February that will showcase the designs offered at Sandals Bridal & Formal Wear, along with what Barefoot Beach Bride and Beach to Bay Times has to offer.
McEvoy has crafted Sandals Bridal & Formal Wear to be a beach-themed boutique offering wedding gowns, mother’s dresses, flower girl and bridesmaid dresses, homecoming dresses, prom gowns, cocktail dresses and tuxedos.
“I am carrying all different types of dresses where I can cater to everyone, from high school students to bridal parties and black tie events we have in town,” McEvoy said.
Sandals Bridal & Formal Wear selection contains original designer gowns straight off the runway and hand selected by McEvoy, such as designers Alyce, David Tuterra, Maggie Sottera, Sherry Hill, Decode 1.8, US Angel, and Mon Cherie.
“All of my dresses are cash-and-carry. You don’t have to order the dresses. The selection is ever-changing depending on the designs chosen from the fashion show,” McEvoy said.
Accessories are also available, including barefoot sandals and beach wedding flip flops.
Upon entering Sandals Bridal & Formal Wear, all of the dresses and tuxedos are on display in the showroom with three large dressing rooms available to fit a bride, family and friends equipped with a pedestal and mirrors. A seamstress will be on site or by appointment only.
“I want everyone who comes in to be relaxed like an enjoyable day at the beach,” McEvoy said.
McEvoy has also focused on keeping prices competitive, and is offering student discounts on dresses and tuxedo rentals.
Sandals Bridal & Formal Wear will have open hours and will be open by appointment only.
For more information, email Sandals Bridal & Formal Wear at [email protected] or call 410-390-3937 and 410-390-5160. A website, currently in the works, can be found at www.oceancitymdbridal.com or www.wocbridal.com. A Facebook page has also been set up at “Sandals Bridal & Formal Wear.”