Checkout This One-Stop-Shop for Bachelorette, Bridal Shower, Elopement and Honeymoon Dresses

A wedding isn’t just a wedding anymore. Brides like to have fun! There are bachelorette parties, bridal showers, after parties, honeymoons, and more. We all know what more events mean – more outfits to party and celebrate! However, the norm has been to scour the internet in search of the perfect outfit for each event related to your wedding. 

That search for the perfect dress or outfit can be overwhelming for any bride, which quickly turns an exciting task into a stressful one.

After years of working in the bridal industry, Raquelle Kilotaitis started The Afterwhite, a one-stop shop for chic brides to style themselves for any bridal event. Although she’s a third-generational entrepreneur in bridalwear, it wasn’t until Raquelle was in the midst of planning her wedding did she realize a major gap in the market. She was soon overwhelmed with the number of shipments and stores she had to keep track of for each look, as well as the lack of white wear in the winter months offered in stores that switch their inventory seasonally.

It was at that moment Raquelle began her journey to open The Afterwhite. In a recent conversation with her, we were able to fully understand what makes this company so unique in the bridal industry. During the conversation, we asked her a few key questions about her business, current bridal trends, and her favorite bridal looks.

What Types of Bridal Clothing are Sold at The Afterwhite?

We stock a highly curated edit of coveted and emerging designers and if we don’t personally love it, then you won’t find it. It’s our stamp on your dream form and fit. We focus on offering a seamless experience to sourcing looks for all your bridal events from gowns to embellished minis, robes, lingerie and accessories. Many of the brands we carry are exclusive to us in Canada, such as retrofete and Shona Joy’s highly sought-after ‘La Lune’ collection. 

• • Bachelorette
  • Wedding Shower
  • Reception
  • Civil Ceremony 
  • Honeymoon
  • Rehearsal Dinner 
  • Elopement 
  • Getting Ready

Who is the Afterwhite bride?

She is fiercely independent and refuses the notion of a wedding day facade. She honors tradition, but in her own way, and isn’t bound by outdated opinions of what a wedding or a bride should be or look like. 

What are your favorite pieces that you’re offering at the moment?

I am an embellished girl at heart, and retrofete keeps knocking it out of the park with the sequin minis. Currently, I am crushing on Rubina and Hestia (arriving end of June). But I also love the simplicity of Shona Joy’s silhouettes. Her fabrics are amazing and the pieces are so versatile. 

What’s your advice for a bride shopping for her wedding looks?

Get your wedding dress out of the way and then work on the rest. I suggest conquering one look at a time and try not to over-order. Be intentional with what you try because it can get really confusing and come overwhelming very quickly! 

What’s your favorite bridal trend right now?

Definitely, the after-party looks. It’s really anything goes and I love that. No pressure or opinions, just a straight-up fun dress.

What makes this brand so special to you?

I grew up surrounded by luxury textiles and lace at my grandmother’s shop, Olga’s Fabric Lane, a specialty fabric shop nearing half a century in business. Then when I was a teenager, I moonlit as a ceremony and reception planner and ended up doing more than 15 weddings by my 20th birthday.

For years I worked on the public relations and communication side of luxury events, but I feel so at home being back in the bridal business. It all started when I co-founded luxury bridalwear brand Daphne Newman Design in 2016 and the idea for The Afterwhite came to light while I was planning my own wedding.

What makes The Afterwhite unique?

The whole reason I started The Afterwhite was that I realized finding bridalwear was currently a ten-step process. We live in this world with unlimited information and access meant to make our lives easier, but sometimes it ends up doing the opposite. I wanted to create a space where brides can come, shop, style, and not feel overwhelmed.

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