Carolyn and Cathy Kelley have always shared a close mother-daughter bond, and through their premier bridal boutique, The White Room, they’ve made countless Birmingham brides feel like part of the family.
A lifelong seamstress, Carolyn opened The White Room in Old Town Helena in 2004. Cathy quickly joined her, and over the past 20 years, they’ve moved from Helena to Cahaba Heights and now to their home of over a decade in Mountain Brook Village.
With a highly curated collection of designer bridal gowns, Carolyn and Cathy provide an intimate experience at their couture boutique. Their discerning taste and Carolyn’s exacting alterations ensure brides come away with a dress that feels destined just for them.
Between trips to bridal markets in New York City and Spain, they spoke to us about working as a mother-daughter team and why they love what they do. Meet this month’s FACES of Birmingham!
First, tell us about your background and what led to opening the shop.
Cathy: I was born and raised in Memphis, then moved to Birmingham almost 30 years ago to be closer to my nephew, Blake. I’ve always wanted to be a mother. I got married after I moved here to Birmingham, but it didn’t really work out, so after my divorce, I went to fostering classes. The day they called to tell me two children needed to be taken in was the same day my mother called me to find out about a building for lease because she was considering opening a bridal shop. This was in October of 2004, and we opened our doors at the beginning of January 2005.
Carolyn: Originally from Memphis, I moved to Birmingham in 1996 because I had a new grandbaby here. I’ve been doing ladies’ alterations since I was 19 years old. My mother taught me the sewing basics, and I knew at a young age that if I ever messed anything up, I would have to replace it, so I never messed up. I started specializing in wedding gown alterations in the mid-80s. After moving to Alabama, I did wedding gown alterations for brides all over the South. My passion for wedding gowns led me to open my own shop, and after reaching out to some of the best wedding gown designers, I opened The White Room in 2004.
Was The White Room a joint venture from the start? Take us back to the early days.
Carolyn: All the other shops I have been affiliated with are owned, managed, and run by salespeople. With my design construction and alterations background, I felt I had the skills to open a bridal shop. When I decided to open The White Room, choosing the designers was easy. Finding the perfect location came next. A house in Old Town Helena became available. I sought furnishings that would make the shop cozy, and all of our customers raved about it because they felt like they were part of the family — like they were being invited to the house.
Because of the reputation I had already built in Birmingham, The White Room was an immediate success. My decision to start this venture was a surprise to Cathy, but she immediately jumped on board and wanted to be a part of it all. We make a great mother-daughter team.
Cathy: It was Carolyn’s idea. I jumped on her bandwagon, and I’ve been holding on ever since! When we started, I was already working a full-time job in the printing industry. After work every day, I would head straight to The White Room, do the day’s paperwork, and see brides on Saturdays. It took about two years for my mother to bring me on full-time. It wasn’t long after that we moved in together. We are very close to each other.
How do you select the designers and gowns to feature?
Cathy: Selecting a designer is a joint decision, as is picking the gowns themselves. We just got back from New York Bridal Market and are looking at two new lines. We have to weigh the pros and cons of every line. We ask ourselves, “Is this a one-hit wonder designer, or have they been designing beautiful, sellable gowns for years?” We also have to think about what is sellable in our area. Sometimes a designer will show gorgeous gowns, but we have to ask, “Are they gowns for the LA and Chicago markets or are they Birmingham gowns?”
Carolyn: Quality is our priority. We choose dresses based on our location in the South. We seek out classic and traditional designs, beautiful fabrics, and laces. We are constantly searching for the best from around the world — not just from the United States but from England, Spain, and Italy.
What are the newest bridal trends you’ve seen emerging over the past few years?
Cathy: Square necklines have been hot over the past two to three markets. Plain Satin and Mikado gowns have also been very popular. This season, it’s all about the Basque waist gowns, which were popular 15 to 20 years ago. If you wait long enough, the trends will resurface.
Carolyn: Texture, such as jacquard, surface work, and embossed details, has proven popular with our Southern brides. Many of our designers are featuring printed fabrics, even hand-painted fabrics, in their latest collections. Consequently, soft colors have made an appearance.
What is your best advice to brides when it comes to choosing a dress?
Cathy: Know where you are getting married before you pick out your wedding gown. The location, time of year, and time of day can play a big role in what type of gown you might choose.
Carolyn: Two things: Do not bring too many people to your bridal appointment. Everyone has an opinion, and sometimes, that’s too confusing for the bride. Keep an open mind! You may think you want a specific look, but when you start trying on wedding gowns, you might just be surprised. Your dress will speak to you; it will touch your heart, and you’ll know when it’s the right one.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
Cathy: Hands down, seeing a bride light up when she has found the one! Not having children of my own, what I do every day is to play a small role in a girl’s life by helping her pick out her dream gown. It’s like I get to be a bridal mommy for a little while, which makes my heart happy.
Carolyn: Helping make people (brides and mothers) feel beautiful.
What do you like to do when you’re not working?
Cathy: I’m either at the beach or in the pool! I love being outdoors.
Carolyn: I have to laugh about that, because in my wedding gown world, I am always working. On occasion, a nice getaway to the beach is welcomed.
Who or what is inspiring you right now?
Cathy: Quite honestly, my mother inspires me. She has since I can remember. The lady has never met a stranger, can make friends with anyone, and always has such a pleasant disposition. Even at my age, I want to be just like her when I grow up!
Carolyn: When I visit with my brides, I like to ask questions about their lives and what they do, what they’re studying for, or what they do for a living. From delivering babies to flying planes that fuel fighter jets, their lives are interesting and exciting — certainly more so than I could have ever dreamed. So, I would have to say that my brides inspire me the most.
What’s your best piece of advice?
Cathy: Always be kind; you never know what someone else is going through in their personal life. If you’re always kind, you’ll never regret anything.
Carolyn: Don’t worry, be happy!
Aside from faith, family, and friends, name three things you can’t live without.
Cathy: Mascara, Mexican food, and GLUTEN-FREE FOOD!
Carolyn: Morning coffee, evening Prosecco, and a good road trip.
Lightening Round!
Last delicious local meal:
Cathy: El Barrio
Carolyn: Tre Luna
Favorite place to vacation?
Cathy: The Beach!
Carolyn: Orange Beach
Your go-to gift to give:
Cathy: Spa gift certificates
Carolyn: A homemade treat
Book(s) on your bedside table:
Cathy: The Gown by Jennifer Robson, which is about the late Queen’s wedding gown and the ladies who worked on it.
Carolyn: A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles and Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises
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