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Business Buzz - October 2019
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- story by Lisa Monti
photos by Ellis Anderson and The Wedding Collection
Kerri Pellegrin says she’s always been a checklist sort of person, minding details large and small, checking off items as they get done. After a career as a project manager in the upper levels of the corporate world, Kerris now is applying her organizational skills to help couples put together and pull off their dream wedding, from planning to cleanup and even writing vows.
The Wedding Collection, Kerri’s all-inclusive wedding services venture, opened Oct. 21 at 104 U.S. 90 West. It’s a “one-stop shop” where she offers consultations on the wedding venue, the decor, flowers, food and drink, music and photography. On the other side of the space, the bride-to-be can try on sample gowns. |
On the Shoofly
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Plans are to expand into bridal veils, jewelry and mother of the bride and bridesmaid gowns.
The new bridal shop is Kerri's second local venture with husband Kevin Pellegrin and business partner, Daniel Clark, whom she makes very clear she couldn't do this without them by her side.
She also manages the day-to-day operation the Harbor House and Suites at 222 South Beach Boulevard which offers vacation rentals in a restored 1840s beachfront home.
Keeping with the local theme, Kerri says she makes every effort to work with local vendors for each wedding she’s involved in. “I couldn’t do my job without really great vendor partners, and we try to keep everything local.”
She remains mindful of the couple’s budget, keeping an eye on their bottom line. Catering is outsourced to local partners including Claiborne Hill and 200 North Beach.
“We look at the menu the bride and groom want and suggest the best vendor suited for them,” she says. “We’re very selective who we work with.” Also outsourced are flowers, the cake, the bar, music and photography, she says.
“We’re very hands-on and use a customized checklist,” she said.
That includes finding and securing the venue and designing the space. Kerri uses the city-owned indoor and outdoor venues including the Bay St. Louis Community Center, the park and duck pond at the depot, the Longfellow Community Center and the Harbor Event Deck plus the Balcony on South Beach Boulevard and a property in Biloxi.
No matter where the wedding is celebrated, she says, “We take a lot of pride in making sure the space looks and feels different for every bride.”
So far, she’s done nine weddings and four more are coming up. “We have one every weekend in November.” Locally, an average wedding has 150 invited guests, but Kerri is prepared to handle up to 600 people.
In keeping with her Louisiana family’s traditions, the couple have the option of having a formal receiving line at the reception and a second-line dance so the guests can join in.
Kerri said about half of the brides she’s worked with have been locals and others live in Jackson, Baton Rouge, Hattiesburg and New Mexico, among other locations. She expects word will spread far and wide that the Bay is a growing wedding destination.
The Wedding Collection will have a ribbon cutting and grand opening celebration Nov. 22. You’ll find details on our Shoofly Community Calendar.
The Wedding Collection
104 U.S. 90 W
Bay St. Louis
228-344-3212 (Shoppe) 228-365-3115 (cell)
Info@theweddingcollection.com