The Regent, a high-end community venue in Brandon, has teamed up with Satin and Lace Bridal in Winthrop to give away more than 30 bridal gowns to healthcare workers in this area.
Each year, the bridal shop donates its demo dresses to make room for new inventory and in 2019, The Regent CEO Shannon Keil agreed to take them and do something fun with them.
And then COVID-19 hit and plans for a fun scavenger hunt for the dresses got cancelled.
“When we got to October, I asked what do we do with them? I wanted to find a group of people who would be great receivers. Healthcare workers made total and complete sense,” Keil said. “We pushed it out and it’s been a great success.”
So far, more than 15 brides have entered the competition by submitting a 500-word essay on themselves and their stories, then been chosen to pick a dress.
“Every one of them have found their dress,” Keil said. A few more dresses have been donated for the event, including two from the program Say Yes to the Dress.
To submit an essay, email it to info@theregentfl.com. Include a name and place of employment and a little about the backstory, Keil said.
The Regent will host a brunch Sept. 29, shower the brides with gifts and give them their dresses.